GB
1941
1hr 25mins
Dir: Walter Forde
Starring: Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch
Hijinks and chills ensue when a group become stranded at an isolated station and a legendary phantom train approaches
This final version, basically remade by Walter Forde ten years after his first attempt in 1931, is the best-known version. However, as it was made in wartime with the obvious restrictions that this imposed, it is the version with the least interesting railway scenes. The station and tunnel were all studio sets but despite this the film is enjoyable. Railway material that features in the movie includes two shots of ‘King’ Class 4-6-0s, the first bursting out of a tunnel and the second, No.6004 King George III, on the approach to Teignmouth. In addition to this there is a shot of the semi-streamlined ‘Castle’ 4-6-0 No.5005 Manorbier Castle, slowing on an express at Langstone Rock between Dawlish Warren and Dawlish. The shot of King George III was originally filmed for Ealing’s 1940 production Return to Yesterday (qv) and the final crash scenes in this movie basically use footage of the 1931 production, with brief shots of Barmouth Bridge and ‘Dean Goods’ 0-6-0 No.2441. The opening credits to this film feature a phantom ride shot on an unknown four track main line. It should be noted that most movie posters, and even some VHS and DVD releases omit the definite article from the film’s title.
