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IMDbPro

The Phantom Express

  • 19321932
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 10m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
200
YOUR RATING
Sally Blane and Hobart Bosworth in The Phantom Express (1932)
  • Mystery
  • Romance
  • Thriller
A railway is threatened by mysterious wrecks, which turn out to be caused by criminals using a unique deception.A railway is threatened by mysterious wrecks, which turn out to be caused by criminals using a unique deception.A railway is threatened by mysterious wrecks, which turn out to be caused by criminals using a unique deception.
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
200
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Emory Johnson
  • Writers
    • Laird Doyle(adaptation)
    • Emory Johnson
  • Stars
    • William Collier Jr.
    • Sally Blane
    • J. Farrell MacDonald
Top credits
  • Director
    • Emory Johnson
  • Writers
    • Laird Doyle(adaptation)
    • Emory Johnson
  • Stars
    • William Collier Jr.
    • Sally Blane
    • J. Farrell MacDonald
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 13User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    The Phantom Express (1932)
    Sally Blane and William Collier Jr. in The Phantom Express (1932)
    Axel Axelson and J. Farrell MacDonald in The Phantom Express (1932)
    Axel Axelson, Sally Blane, Hobart Bosworth, William Collier Jr., and J. Farrell MacDonald in The Phantom Express (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Collier Jr.
    William Collier Jr.
    • Bruce Harrington
    Sally Blane
    Sally Blane
    • Carolyn Nolan
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    J. Farrell MacDonald
    • D.J. 'Smokey' Nolan
    Hobart Bosworth
    Hobart Bosworth
    • Mr. Harrington
    Axel Axelson
    • Axel - the Fireman
    Lina Basquette
    Lina Basquette
    • Betty
    Eddie Phillips
    Eddie Phillips
    • Dick Walsh
    Robert Ellis
    Robert Ellis
    • Reynolds
    Claire McDowell
    Claire McDowell
    • Ma Nolan
    David Rollins
    David Rollins
    • Jackie Nolan
    Tom O'Brien
    • Red Connelly - the Telegraph Operator
    Huntley Gordon
    Huntley Gordon
    • President of Rival Railroad
    • (as C. Huntley Gordon)
    Brady Kline
    • Slim - a Thug
    Jack Pennick
    Jack Pennick
    • Bubba - a Thug
    Alice Dahl
    Alice Dahl
    • Miss Gray - Secretary
    • (uncredited)
    Allan Forrest
    Allan Forrest
    • Business Associate
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Littlefield
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Mower
    Jack Mower
    • Business Associate
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Emory Johnson
    • Writers
      • Laird Doyle(adaptation)
      • Emory Johnson
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film's earliest documented telecast took place in Los Angeles on 2/8/50 on KECA (Channel 7).

    User reviews13

    Review
    Top review
    A Decent Idea But Not Much Execution
    The Phantom Express (1932)

    ** (out of 4)

    A train is heading down the tracks at night when the driver notices another train coming straight towards them. He derails the train to avoid the crash but during an investigation it's discovered that there wasn't another train. Soon we learn that several trains have been forced off the track due to a "ghost train" so the playboy son of the train owner decides to investigate.

    THE PHANTOM EXPRESS starts off rather good as we're given the initial crash and then a small court room setting where we hear about the accident and the aftermath investigation. The idea of a ghost train is pretty interesting for a story but sadly the film pretty much falls apart from there and turns into a rather cheap "B" movie that doesn't know what to do with its subject.

    For the most part the film remains slightly entertaining because of those opening scenes but one really wishes that the screenwriter had done more with it. To be fair, I'm sure the writer would have wanted to do more but obviously they were working on a small budget and I'm sure very little time. The performances in the film are about average. The film does contain some nice cinematography and the train wreck scenes aren't nearly as bad as you might expect.
    helpful•0
    1
    • Michael_Elliott
    • Oct 26, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 15, 1932 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • O Expresso-Fantasma
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Emory Johnson Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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