Cast
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Deanna Durbin
as Nikki Collins / Margo Martin
Ralph Bellamy
as Jonathan Waring
David Bruce
as Wayne Morgan
George Coulouris
as Mr. Saunders, Circus Club Manager
Allen Jenkins
as Danny (Waring chauffeur)
Dan Duryea
as Arnold Waring
Edward Everett Horton
as Mr. Haskell
Patricia Morison
as Joyce Willams, Morgan's Girl
Maria Palmer
as Margo Martin, Circus Club Singer
Elizabeth Patterson
as Aunt Charlotte Waring
Samuel S. Hinds
as Mr. Wiggam, Waring Lawyer
William Frawley
as Desk Sgt. Brennan
Jacqueline deWit
as Miss Fletcher, Morgan's Secretary
Lash LaRue
as Circus Club Waiter / Henchman
Jane Adams
as Circus Club Photographer
Crew
Director
- Charles David
Producer
- Felix Jackson
Reviews
John Chard
Genre blender of considerable worth.
Lady on a Train is directed by Charles David and adapted to screenplay by Edmund Beloin and Robert O’Brien from a Leslie Charteris story. It stars Deanna Durbin, Ralph Bellamy, David Bruce, George Coulouris, Allen Jenkins, Dan Duryea and Edward Everett Horton. Music is by Miklos Rozsa and cinematography by Woody Bredell.
Part murder mystery, part film noir, part comedy and part musical! And it’s a Christmas movie as well! Lady on a Train has a lot going on for sure. It’s a fun packed little movie that gives Durbin full licence to show her various talents before she retired out of the limelight three years later. In main essence it’s the murder mystery aspect that drives the picture forward. Durbin plays Nikki Collins, a spunky young woman who loves reading detective mysteries, so when she witnesses a murder being committed from her train window seat, she’s obviously all of a tingle. However, convincing the authorities of what she saw proves to be difficult and she decides to take up the case herself. Pretty soon she is up to her neck in intrigue and life threatening peril.
Things start getting twisty once Durbin meets the victim’s bizarre family, a veritable roll call of miserablists and shifty shysters. Aided by mystery writer Wayne Morgan (Bruce), Nikki has to run the gamut of bluffing and boldness to stay one step ahead of the game, including imitating a chanteuse singer. This allows Durbin to the chance to warble three songs, with a version of “Silent Night” beautifully tender and a sensuous and sultry rendition of “Gimme a Little Kiss, Will Yah, Huh?” Having us in the palm of her hand. It builds nicely to a darkly tinged last third, where Bredell’s noirish photography comes into its own and the resolution of the tale is most satisfactory. Good laughs, good suspense and good songs, well worth a viewing. Story was filmed as a straight British thriller in 1940 titled A Window in London, with Michael Redgrave starring. 7/10
Dec 29, 2013
Thematic Analysis
Lady on a Train represents a fascinating example of Comedy/Crime/Mystery/Romance/Thriller cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Charles David brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1945, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Lady on a Train took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 94 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 120 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 497 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The musical score contains over 44 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1945, when this film was released:
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Lady on a Train shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Horn of Plenty, which focuses more on action than character development, Lady on a Train subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Memory of a Killer and April Fool's Day explore similar territory, Lady on a Train stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 3, 1945
- Runtime: 1h 34m
