The Midnight Express (film)

Last updated

The Midnight Express
Directed by George W. Hill
Written byGeorge W. Hill
Starring Elaine Hammerstein
William Haines
Production
company
Distributed by C.B.C. Film Sales
Release date
  • June 1, 1924 (1924-06-01)
Running time
56 minutes
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

The Midnight Express is a 1924 American silent action crime film directed by George W. Hill starring Elaine Hammerstein and William Haines. [1]

Contents

Plot

As described in a review in a film magazine, [2] after a wild jazz party, railroad owner John Oakes (Nichols) disowns his son Jack (Haines) for being shiftless. Jack decides to rehabilitate himself and turns over a new leaf by quitting his palatial home and going to work in his father's railroad yard as a laborer in the roundhouse. Chasing an escaped convict, Silent Bill Brachely (Harmon), who had stolen his auto, leads Jack to the home of James Travers (Tilton), engineer of the big locomotive, the Midnight Express. There he meets and falls in love with the engineer’s daughter, Mary (Hammerstein). The convict, who swears to get back at Jack, is sent back to jail. He escapes again and corners Jack in a lonely dispatch station on a mountainside. A terrific fight ensues and Jack wins. just in time to derail However, several freight cars have broken from the train and are speeding down a mountainous grade, heading toward the Midnight Express which is ascending the incline. Jack is able to derail the runaway freight cars just in time to save the Midnight Express. As the result Jack, gets back in his father’s good graces and wins the affections of Mary.

Cast

Reception

Haines, then under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, was loaned to Columbia Pictures, then a small studio, for five films, of which The Midnight Express was the first. The film received good reviews, making it Haines' breakout role. [3] He received another boost when later in 1924, during a Screenland interview, flamboyant actress Peggy Hopkins Joyce claimed that the best screen kiss she ever saw was between Haines and Hammerstein in The Midnight Express. [4]

Preservation

A print of The Midnight Express is in the film collection of Cineteca Italiana (Milano). [5]

Related Research Articles

The following is an overview of 1925 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.

The following is an overview of 1923 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.

The year 1915 in film involved some significant events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Haines</span> American actor and interior designer

Charles William Haines was an American actor and interior designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elaine Hammerstein</span> American actress

Elaine Hammerstein was an American silent film and stage actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Mulhall</span> American actor

John Joseph Francis Mulhall was an American film actor beginning in the silent film era who successfully transitioned to sound films, appearing in over 430 films in a career spanning 50 years.

The Phantom Fortune is a 1923 American silent Western film serial directed by Robert F. Hill. It is thought to be lost.

<i>The Phantom Express</i> (1932 film) 1932 film

The Phantom Express is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery crime-drama directed by Emory Johnson and based on the Emory Johnson story. The film stars William Collier, Jr. as Bruce Harrington, Sally Blane as Carolyn Nolan and Hobart Bosworth as Mr. Harrington. It was commercially released on August 15, 1932, by Majestic Pictures.

<i>Mike</i> (1926 film) 1926 film by Marshall Neilan

Mike is a 1926 American silent comedy drama film directed by Marshall Neilan. The film is a modest production, featuring Sally O'Neil and William Haines.

<i>The Drums of Jeopardy</i> (1923 film) 1923 film by Edward Dillon

The Drums of Jeopardy is a 1923 American silent mystery film directed by Edward Dillon, written by Arthur Hoerl and featuring Wallace Beery. It is based on the 1920 novel of the same name by Harold McGrath which was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post. The film was released by Tru-art Film Company in November 1923. The name of the villain in the story was originally called Boris Karlov, but when the actor Boris Karloff rose to prominence circa 1923, the character's name was changed to Gregor Karlov to avoid confusion. It was changed back to Boris again in the 1931 remake of the film which starred Warner Oland as the villain.

<i>Murder in the Private Car</i> 1934 film by Harry Beaumont

Murder in the Private Car is a 1934 American pre-Code mystery romance film starring Mary Carlisle, Charles Ruggles and Una Merkel. Directed by Harry Beaumont, the production is based on the play The Rear Car by Edward E. Rose. David Townsend was the film's art director.

<i>The Pleasure Seekers</i> (1920 film) 1920 film by George Archainbaud

The Pleasure Seekers is a lost 1920 American silent drama film produced by Selznick Pictures and distributed by the Select Company. It was directed by George Archainbaud and stars Elaine Hammerstein.

<i>S.O.S. Perils of the Sea</i> 1925 film

S.O.S. Perils of the Sea is a 1925 American silent action drama film featuring Elaine Hammerstein, directed by James P. Hogan, and released through Columbia Pictures.

<i>The Miracle of Manhattan</i> 1921 film

The Miracle of Manhattan is a lost 1921 American silent melodrama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Elaine Hammerstein and Matt Moore. It was produced by Lewis J. Selznick(of Selznick Pictures) and released through Select Pictures.

<i>The Foolish Virgin</i> 1924 film directed by George W. Hill

For the earlier silent film of the same name see The Foolish Virgin

The Unwritten Law is an extant 1925 silent film crime melodrama directed by Edward LeSaint and starring Elaine Hammerstein. It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. In the UK distribution was handled by Film Booking Offices of America.

The Checkered Flag is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by John G. Adolfi and starring Elaine Hammerstein, Wallace MacDonald, and Lionel Belmore. The title refers to the automobile racing flag used to denote that the race is finished

<i>One Glorious Night</i> 1924 film

One Glorious Night is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Scott R. Dunlap and starring Elaine Hammerstein, Alan Roscoe, and Phyllis Haver.

<i>Why Get Married?</i> 1924 film

Why Get Married? is a 1924 American-Canadian silent drama film directed by Paul Cazeneuve and starring Andrée Lafayette, Jack Perrin, and Helen Ferguson.

<i>Bare Knuckles</i> (1921 film) 1921 film

Bare Knuckles is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by James P. Hogan and starring William Russell, Mary Thurman and George Fisher.

References

  1. ↑ Progressive Silent Film List: The Midnight Express at silentera.com
  2. ↑ Sewell, Charles S. (December 6, 1924). "The Midnight Express; C. B. C. Railroad Melodrama Starring Elaine Hammerstein Furnishes Exciting Entertainment". The Moving Picture World. New York City: Chalmers Publishing Co. 71 (6): 546. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  3. ↑ Mann, William J. (1998). Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star . New York City: Viking. pp. 69–70. ISBN   978-0670871551.
  4. ↑ Mann pp. 70-71
  5. ↑ Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: The Midnight Express


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.