Goofs

In the opening train sequence, two different trains were filmed. The first had different locomotives than the second (as evidenced by loco numbers); the second train shown stopping in town had a dining car just behind the locomotives which the first train didn't.

The lead engine number on the locomotive shown approaching the town during the helicopter shots and opening credits is 6151. However, the number changes to 6386 as it pulls into town, which is the same engine that stops in town at the end of the movie.

After the chase when Macreedy is driving the Jeep, he arrives in town with a very dusty suit coat. Walking to the garage, his coat is clean with no dust.

The station master reports what the detective in L.A. has to say about MacCreedy while the townspeople are standing around at the railroad crossing. Coley and Pete are standing a couple of feet apart at the crossing sign when Coley begins to react to what Pete has to say. After Coley stops in midsentence, there are a few camera angle shifts, then a long shot in which Pete all of a sudden is standing in front of a telephone pole 7 or 8 feet away from Coley.

At the end of the movie, Macreedy arrives at the station and sets down his suitcase. When the train pulls into the station, long shot shows he is holding it again, but, on the next close-up, it is again on the ground.

Doc Velle's hearse is shown with a "T" gas ration sticker on its windshield, a classification meant for truck drivers. The more accurate gas ration classification for a hearse would have been "C", which was issued to those in any one of seventeen professions considered essential during wartime. Doc Velle is three of those seventeen specified "C" card professions - physician, veterinarian, and embalmer/undertaker.

When Trimble rams into the Willys Jeep on Macreedy's return to the town, the stunt-driver (who is driving in place of Mr. Tracy) briefly grabs the steering wheel with both hands. His left hand, which is in the jacket pocket, briefly grabs onto the wheel while in the jacket pocket to correct the Jeep going off the road 0:32:48 .

Obvious stunt driver for Spencer Tracy during the chase with Coley.

At the climax of the film, Macreedy is attempting to use his tie as the 'fuse' for a fire-bomb. Though his 'dead' arm remains stuffed in his jacket pocket, he clearly uses its hand when tearing the tie.

The film takes place in Arizona. However, Liz Wirth's jeep shows a California plate, "CAL '45".

As the train approaches the town, the horn blows twice, which is the signal for starting up. The mandatory signal for a grade crossing (long, long, short, long) is never blown, although one clearly exists. When the train departs, the conductor makes a confused hand signal to the engineer resembling the horizontal motion that means "stop" rather than the vertical motion that means "go". The engineer never responds with the "long, long" starting signal.

At the beginning of the movie, the locomotive is an EMD FP7 (Electro-Motive Division of General Motors). This was not in production until June, 1949. The film takes place a few months after the end of World War II or late 1945.