Sophie Lang Goes West (1937)

Reformed jewel-thief Sophie Lang, tired of being questioned by the New York City police every time a jewel disappears, decides to head for California, and is hiding in the train-compartment... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Reisner

Writers:

Frederick Irving Anderson (stories), Doris Anderson (screenplay)

Stars:

Gertrude Michael, Lee Bowman, Sandra Storme

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gertrude Michael	...	Sophie Lang
Lee Bowman	...	Eddie Rollyn
Sandra Storme	...	Helga Roma
Buster Crabbe	...	Steve Clayson (as Larry Crabbe)
Barlowe Borland	...	Archie Banks
C. Henry Gordon	...	Sultan of Padaya
Jed Prouty	...	J.H. Blaine
Rafael Storm	...	Laj (as Rafael Corio)
Fred Miller	...	Policeman
Herbert Ransom	...	Policeman
Nick Lukats	...	Taxi Driver
Guy Usher	...	Police Inspector Parr
Archie Twitchell	...	Clerk
Robert Cummings	...	Curley Griffin
Daisy Bufford	...	Maid

Storyline

Reformed jewel-thief Sophie Lang, tired of being questioned by the New York City police every time a jewel disappears, decides to head for California, and is hiding in the train-compartment of film-writer Eddie Rollyn. Rollyn is working on a story for film-star Helga Roma, who is also aboard the train with her manager, Steve Clayson. Thinking there is a story in Sophie's flight, Rollyn agrees to help her out and hide her from the police if she will help him with his film story. NYC Detective Archie Banks is aboard the train guarding the Sultan of Padaya, owner of a precious gem called "Star of the World." Archie gets the Sultan's consent to allow Miss Roma to wear the gem in a film, feeling that the publicity will entice Sophie out of retirement to steal the stone, and he can get some publicity himself by capturing her in the attempt. But Crayson steals the jewel and tries to escape with it, but is captured by Rollyn. Clayson escapes and finds Sophie. He tells her that Rollyn is an ...

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Plot Keywords:

train | sultan | publicity | police | jewel | 

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Taglines:

YOU'VE GOT TO HAND IT TO SOPHIE...if you don't, she'll take it anyway! She's the smoothest thief in the business!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Juwelenraub im Westexpreß

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

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Connections

Follows The Return of Sophie Lang (1936)

User Reviews

Buster gets light-fingered in this one.

SOPHIE LANG GOES WEST was the third Paramount sound-era film featuring Frederick Irving Anderson's female jewel thief, following 1934's "The Notorious Sophie Lang" and "The Return of Sophie Lang" in 1936, with Gertrude Michaels essaying the title role in all three films.

This entry has Sophie, tired of being questioned by the NYC police every time a jewel disappears, deciding to head for the left coast, and hiding in the railroad car compartment of film-writer Eddie Rollyn (Lee Bowman) on a California-bound train. Rollyn is trying to think up a film story for star Helga Roma (Sandra Storme), who is also on the train with her manager, Steve Clayson (Larry Crabbe.) Figuring that there is a story in Sophie's flight, Rollyn agrees to help her out and hide her from the police if she will help him with his film plot.

Detective Archie Banks (Barlowe Borland)is aboard the train guarding the Sultan of Padaya (C. Henry Gordon), owner of a precious gem called "Star of the World." Archie gets the Sultan's consent to let Miss Roma use the gem in a picture, feeling that the publicity will entice Sophie Lang to steal the stone and he can get a little publicity himself by capturing her. But it is Clayson who steals the jewel and tries to escape with it, but Rollyn nabs him.

Clayson gets away and finds Sophie. He tells her that Rollyn is an ex-thief, and that she must help him get the diamond back, or he will expose Rollyn and ruin his career.

What's a poor girl, who is trying to go straight, to do? Actually, nothing much as it turns out, as Rollyn and Archie do most of the heavy lifting to further this plot.