Looking at the magnificent natural scenery in "Danger Lights" it is hard to believe that only the year before most audiences were longing for a return to silents. Talkies were static and the only time there was any action is when someone broke into a song and dance!! But in 1929 William Wyler took his film crew (the camera still in a padded booth) to Death Valley to film "Hell's Heroes" and despite a lot of opposition proved an outdoor talkie could be made and made well.What a tough team Louis Wolheim and Robert Armstrong make!! Even though Wolheim had once been a maths teacher, his craggy, ugly mug promised that when he started in films he would definitely not be playing a matinée idol and Armstrong already had the reputation for playing "dumb-bell" type gangsters until films like this showed his sensitive side.Dan Thorne (Louis Wolheim) is a railway troubleshooter, who, at the film's start, is called in to salvage a train that has become involved in a rock slide. He meets Larry (Robert Armstrong), a hobo riding the rails - their mutual dislike is instant ("What if I don't want to work" "I've got a couple of very good reasons why you should"!!! Biff, Bang!!!) Dan finds out he has been sacked from his last engineering job because of insubordination, but there is something about him, maybe Larry reminds him of himself!!! Dan puts him to work and he makes good and also meets Mary (Jean Arthur) Dan's fiancée!!! Trying to ignore the fact that Dan looks old enough and ugly enough to be Mary's grandfather, it is a match waiting for disaster. There is something odd in the match - even though he treats her more as a daughter and her feelings are more of gratitude for the help he has shown her and her father.Jean Arthur is adorable but rather wooden, although she doesn't have much to do in this tough guy actioner except look pained -especially when Dan announces their engagement!! Robert Armstrong also doesn't look comfortable in the mushy romantic scenes - but when the part calls for action - Watch Out!!! Larry and Mary decide to elope, Larry gets his foot caught in the track and Dan comes gunning for him in the pouring rain....but it doesn't end there!!! A mad race to Chicago with the engine averaging 100 miles an hour brings this movie to a thrilling climax. The cinematography of Karl Struss is superb and you really get a feel for the magnificent engines that dominate every scene they are in.Highly, Highly Recommended.

This film is billed as a love story (typical love triangle), but the human-to-human love story is left in the dust because the human-to-train love story is much more passionate. I won't tell you how the story ends, but if you love trains (especially steam trains), you will love watching this film. ALL the characters in this film are in love with trains, and you will be, too. Be sure not to miss the lightning train trip to Chicago. The one thing that could have improved this film would have been "brightening up" the night scenes. I have a copy of it in my library - go thou and do likewise (don't know if it can be rented).

I have stood near the spot that the film crew was filming the scene where the speeding train carrying the injured Dan Thorn is crossing the Missouri river. It was Lombard Mt..There is absolutely nothing left of the town. The funny thing is that the train is speeding WEST to get to Chicago. Rare scenes of "Big Hook" steam crane in action, and Eagle Nest tunnel, where as soon as you come out of the tunnel you are on top of a high bridge.This movie was not filmed in Hollywood but on location in western Montana where not much has changed since the movie was made except the removal of the rails on the Milwaukie Road.All in all excellent vintage railroad movie.

Check out the Jean Arthur the Hottie of 1930. Do not like her as much as brunette. However, she can play with my train set anytime. The photos of 1930 Chicago are outstanding. Gone are the old Union Station, the Washington St bridge over the tracks. The only thing that I can say that still exists is the old Civic Opera House. I still do not understand how the railroad people thought that they could convince the public that trains could be a fast as planes. The second best train movie is the Silver Streak Movie of 1934. The Burlington Northern did have an excellent concept for a streamline train. Again, they could never compete with jets.