The Flying Scotsman (1929 film)
| The Flying Scotsman | |
|---|---|
Pauline Johnson walks along the edge of the locomotive, a genuine stunt in the climax of the film.
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| Directed by | Castleton Knight |
| Written by | Victor Kendall Garnett Weston Freeman Crofts (advisor) |
| Starring |
Moore Marriott Pauline Johnson Ray Milland Alec Hurley |
| Music by | Idris Lewis (uncredited) |
| Cinematography | Theodor Sparkuhl |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures British |
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Release date
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May 1929 March 1930 (sound version) |
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Running time
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50 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Flying Scotsman is a 1929 black and white part-silent film set on the Flying Scotsman train from London to Edinburgh, also featuring the famous locomotive LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman. Directed by Castleton Knight, the thriller is chiefly remembered for being the first acting role of Ray Milland, as well as for its daring stunts performed aboard the moving train.
Engine driver Bob is due to retire from his job after years of distinguished service. On Bob's last day working aboard the famous Flying Scotsman, a disgruntled fireman, dismissed after being reported for drinking at work, decides to get his revenge on Bob (who reported him to the company) by causing an accident. Meanwhile, the fireman's amorous young replacement has fallen in love with a beautiful girl, whose father, unbeknown to him, happens to be Bob (and who has also boarded the train in an attempt to stop the villain).
The film is notable for being the first lead role of Welsh actor Ray Milland, who went on to stardom in Hollywood during the 1940s. Milland, then appearing under his birth name of Alfred Jones, was spotted by director Castleton Knight while he was working as an extra on The Informer which was being shot on a neighbouring stage.
Milland, in his autobiography, recalls that it was on this film that it was suggested he adopt his stage name; and chose Milland from the Mill lands area of his Welsh home town of Neath. Milland starred in two further Knight-directed films, The Lady from the Sea and The Plaything.
Pauline Johnson was a leading British silent actress of her age, although appeared in few films after 1930. Moore Marriott was only 41 when he appeared in the film, but is already portrayed playing a retiring engine driver.
The film was shot with co-operation of the London and North Eastern Railway company, who allocated their flagship Class A1 locomotive, the eponymous 4472 Flying Scotsman along with use of the Hertford Loop Line for filming. This locomotive was extensively used by the LNER for promotional purposes, having been a star of the 1924 British Empire Exhibition and breaking a number of speed records. At the time of its appearance in this film, the locomotive is technically an A1 (only being rebuilt and classified "A3" in 1947). The locomotive is the only member of its class to have been preserved.
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