CommentsXp
Best movie ever!
Roman Sampson
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Rama Rao
In this RKO pictures, the crew of the Pioneer Zephyr diesel train has 19 hours to deliver an iron lung to a town in NV who needs urgent medical attention. Who can arrange for such an extravaganza display of power and action, yes, it has to be a rich father paying everything he has for saving his son. This is a most courageous plot fabrication belonged to the Silver Streak (1934). Based on Roger Whatley's story, and scripted by him and Jack O'Donnell demonstrates a breakneck 2000 mile train trip which must be made in 19 hours (with available technology in 1934 to build that train). This is the only solution to the curing an epidemic of infantile paralysis. Sally Blane, Charles Starrett, Hardie Albright and William Farnum topped director Thomas Atkins cast which also included Irving Pichel, Arthur Lake and others. The Burlington Zephyr Also received prominent credit for portraying the Silver Streak. There is enough of high speed excitement, drama and the love story to make audience overlook the story's rampant implausibility. It earned $107,000 in profits, a substantial sum for 1934 value of money. The 20th century Fox film released its 1976 version starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor bore no relation to this movie except for the express train. The latter was also a huge box office hit and a fun movie to watch.
wes-connors
At a board of directors meeting, handsome railroad engineer Charles Starrett (as Tom Caldwell) presents his plan for a modern, high-speed train called "The Silver Streak". The conservative board of directors considers Mr. Starrett's progressive plan preposterous. They reject his design. Starrett resigns and goes to work for another locomotive company, which is secretly arranged by his beautiful girlfriend Sally Blane (as Ruth Dexter). She is also the daughter of William Farnum (as Barney "BJ" Dexter), chairman at the railroad firm Starrett left. The diesel-powered train is built, but runs into some trouble. "You can't beat steam," is what the old guard says, but the industry is faltering and needs to attract a new generation of travelers...While dull, this production has a few good reasons to watch...William Farnum was one of the first movie "super-stars" and gets a featured, late career role. He even gets to kiss Ms. Blane (Loretta Young's lovely sister). Adventurous engineer Hardie Albright (as Allan Dexter) does well with the most dramatic supporting role. Arthur Lake and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams (as Crawford and Higgins) are an effective comic relief team (one wishes the material were better). There are many recognizable players in small roles - from veteran character actress Mary Carr as the weepy train passenger to attractive newcomer Dave O'Brien as a telephone clerk. The actual train is shown to great effect - but the climax is rendered unexciting by showy reaction shots, a superfluous Russian spy and a general poor pace.***** The Silver Streak (12/10/34) Tommy Atkins ~ Charles Starrett, Sally Blane, William Farnum, Hardie Albright
henryhertzhobbit
I am going to give you more of the reality and let you watch the movie and enjoy or dislike it on your own.First lets start with what the train really is. Its real name was the Pioneer Zephyr. It was built by the Budd Company in Philadelphia for the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) which is usually called just the Burlington Railroad.It was built during the Great Depression in the year 1934 which was also when this movie was made. If you ever want the genesis for the second movie Silver Streak made in 1976 with Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor, and Jill Clayburgh watch this movie first. I don't know which of the two movies is the most outrageous.Despite the obvious replay at double the speed of the recording, the train was fast for its time. It did a dawn to dusk Denver to Chicago run in 13 hours and 5 minutes for an average speed of 77 miles per hour. It was a speed record.The only thing that I didn't like about the movie was a fear of almost all the people on the train except for the chief engineer. It would have been much better with oh wow expressions instead. There are portions of many trips for most of us that getting there faster would be appreciated.
Tomlonso
It's a variation on the "Get The Serum To Nome" drama, only this time it has to get . . . well, not to Nome. Good shots of the "Zephyr", now on display in Chicago and the high-speed, high-tech wonder of its day. To get the high-speed effect on film the simply halved the speed of the camera. This results in a fast train but ridiculously fast action on the part of railway workers. The acting and the script aren't bad for a thirties serial.
