The Ghost Train (1941)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

best movie i've ever seen.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

BBC radio comedian Arthur Askey's most popular movie foray, was undoubtedly his version of "The Ghost Train". Like the 1931 movie, this one was also directed by Walter Forde. The powers-that-be at J. Arthur Rank Distributors have always claimed that they have the 1931 negative nice and safe in their library. Thirty years ago, they even sold the broadcasting rights to Swedish and Australian television networks. Despite repeated requests by both broadcasters to supply the contracted prints, Rank failed to comply. The print had either got lost or stolen, or even worse, it may have deteriorated. Fortunately it has now been found and has actually been issued on a DVD!Anyway, getting back to Arthur Askey's version: Thanks to Walter Forde's adroit direction and Askey's inspired performance (Herbert Lomas too, generally wasted in nothing roles, is absolutely unforgettable here) the 1941 picture is an exceptionally happy marriage of mystery and comedy. Nowhere and in no place do we ever get the impression of a photographed stage play. It's an absolutely must-see movie through and through! (Good prints are available on both Network and ITV DVDs).

I feel sorry for the English people trying to suffer through WWII with privation, air raids, and their sons off at the front, and I understand why they might have wanted some git prancing around on stage or screen acting like this Askey fool to distract them from falling bombs and the dire outlook of 1941, but it's not 1941 anymore, the Nazis aren't invading us, and the film looks stupid now. The "ghost train" part of the story does not start until nearly minute 25, so what this is is a short mystery film interspersed with the lowest of low stage humor. A few action scenes are run behind narration, then it's back to the prancing git again. The little bit of dramatic acting here is dated, as well. It's not a comedy, it's not a ghost story, it's just a mess. As sympathetic as I feel for the English of that era, and as thankful as I am that they held off the Nazis for so long by themselves, I'm not so grateful that I can recommend this travesty to appease their nostalgia.This is another case where I look at the average user rating and scratch my head and say "huh?"

Above is a quote from this film and it very aptly sums up this film! The comment is made to Arthur Askey's character and I wanted to see him either be quiet or die in this film--either would have made me ecstatic. His character, to put it very bluntly, was the most annoying person I've seen in a film for perhaps the last year--and I watch A LOT of movies!! The film begins aboard a British train during WWII. The train's progress is halted by a selfish and sub-human jerk (Askey) who pulls the emergency stop cord because his hat fell out the window. While this is clearly a criminal offense, he is indifferent to the anger of the crew and runs about annoying people repeatedly--in particular a huge cricket player who wanted to kill Askey (oh, why, why DIDN'T he?!). Later, when a group of travelers gets to their stop, they find they are stranded and they missed the connecting train--thanks to Askey's stunt. And, Askey isn't the least bit repentant or sorry and continues to make a total nuisance of himself. I really, really, really wanted him to just shut up, as this boorish character would not let up for a second--pushing the rest of the group (as well as the audience) past all human endurance. By this point in the film, I was so fed up with him I really could not enjoy the movie and mentally turned it off...though I did continue watching. Sure, there was a plot about a ghost train that began almost half-way into the film, but I honestly didn't care at all any more and just wanted it to end.I understand that Askey was a bit of an institution in the UK (on stage, TV and in movies)--and was apparently quite beloved. Well, as an American I am not familiar with him and perhaps he was a great comedian after all. However, he is simply a grating comedian in "The Ghost Train". He was bold and cheeky like Groucho Marx but without charm or humor. While the rest of the actors tried, they simply couldn't get noticed because Askey behaved like a spoiled and obnoxious child who insists on entertaining his parents' party guests. Don't this film unless you as a masochist.

There's no getting around the fact that comedian Arthur Askey will probably not be for everyone's taste ( it occurs to me that he could have been the prototype for Archie Rice in The Entertainer), but if you take him as representative of a type of English music hall comic of the time, he often is pretty funny. The fact that he is frequently referred to by other characters as an " annoying little man" indicates that most of his exasperating antics were quite intentional, and not simply the result of changing tastes in humor.The setting of the almost abandoned railway station at night, with a thunderstorm drenching the stranded passengers, is quite effective. The assorted English types and their interactions are quite delightful, from the tippling Professor to the glum engaged couple, the irritable athlete, the quiet spinster who becomes very lively after agreeing to take a little brandy for medicinal purposes, etc.It may not be a masterpiece, but it has an English charm that is unique to British productions of this period; somewhat recalling Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes, or an Agatha Christie mystery story.If you like old movies and British comedy, this is recommended for a nice time.