| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Alan Ladd | ... | ||
| Robert Preston | ... |
Murray Sinclair
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| Brenda Marshall | ... |
Marian Sinclair
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| Donald Crisp | ... |
Barney Rebstock
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| William Demarest | ... |
Bill Dansing
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| Fay Holden | ... |
Emmy Dansing
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| Murvyn Vye | ... |
Blake Barton
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| Frank Faylen | ... |
Whitey Du Sang
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John Eldredge | ... |
George McCloud
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Ward Wood | ... |
Leroy Barton
(as Robert Wood)
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| J. Farrell MacDonald | ... |
Bill Baggs
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| Will Wright | ... |
Sheriff McSwiggin
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| Don Barclay | ... |
Dr. Sawbuck
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| Eddy Waller | ... |
Conductor
(as Eddy C. Waller)
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Ashley Cowan | ... |
Train Brakeman
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Smith as an iron-willed railroad detective. When his friend Murray is fired from the railroad and begins helping Rebstock wreck trains, Smith must go after him. He also seems to have an interest in Murray's wife (and vice versa). Written by Ed Stephan <[email protected]>
This is a very fine western. Great Technicolor, decent acting and a nice plot. As a fan of the western genre, I appreciate the snappy way the story moves along. Modern westerns (and most films, in fact) drag the exposition out. Here, for example, when Robert Preston's character meets up with his old friend Ladd and mentions Preston's wife's name, the look on Ladd's face instantly tells you "oh-oh, there's a history here." Very quick, but well done and you know what's coming.
This is a "railroad western." It's nice to see a western that emphasizes the importance and power of the the railroads in the settlement of the west.