Greetings,

Anybody know of any film out there that contains CNW 400 passenger trains? Any leads would be appreciated.

God Bless,
Gerald W. Kopiasz

Heartland Railroad Historical Society
hrrhs@aol.com

> Greetings,

> Anybody know of any film out there that
> contains CNW 400 passenger trains? Any leads
> would be appreciated.

> God Bless,
> Gerald W. Kopiasz

If you are meaning Motion Pictures vs. fan videos, it seems there was a Hollywood flick with Esther Williams and Van Heflin (or Van Johnson - drat I am having an all too frequent mind melt) with streamliners leaving Chicago, on train scenes, and UP steam getting into Sun Valley, Idaho. (In winter) The title escapes me but had something to do with Christmas or Holidays I think. Van was a musician and there were the usual romantic/comedy with two guys competing for Esther.

Bob Kutella


68trolley@comcast.net

Actually, any footage (movie, 16mm, etc.) would be nice.

Gerald

> If you are meaning Motion Pictures vs. fan
> videos, it seems there was a Hollywood flick
> with Esther Williams and Van Heflin (or Van
> Johnson - drat I am having an all too
> frequent mind melt) with streamliners
> leaving Chicago, on train scenes, and UP
> steam getting into Sun Valley, Idaho. (In
> winter) The title escapes me but had
> something to do with Christmas or Holidays I
> think. Van was a musician and there were the
> usual romantic/comedy with two guys
> competing for Esther.

> Bob Kutella


Heartland Railroad Historical Society
hrrhs@aol.com

Try Glory Machines Volume 3. It has the last run of the non-streamlined 400 and the first run of the streamlined 400, in color.
Also see "C&NW Left Hand RR", a documenary on C&NW by Bill Warrick.
Both available on VHS or DVD-R.

-Jim Herron



Herron Rail Video

I know this is a really old thread, but...

The film starring Van Johnson is Duchess of Idaho. It also stars Esther Williams, Connie Haines, and John Lund, with Paula Raymond and others.

Here is THE best scene:

http://youtu.be/ExamaLsTwkY

Makes me wanna take the train to Sun Valley. Connie Haines is truly a sight to behold. Why can't we have that kind of class in fashion today? Perhaps riding Pullman Rail Journeys will get us glimpse of that style if they can make it work.

Oh, does that look great. Too bad you won't see style like that unless you provide it yourself, thought there's a good chance at least some of the other passengers will provide some as well.

You wouldn't wear it indoors, of course, but I've found that old-fashioned fedoras (hats) are surprisingly practical. They keep the sun out of your eyes, they keep the sun out of any holes you have in your hair, they do a surprising job of keeping you at least a little cooler in hot weather and are surprisingly warm in the winter. They even attract girls (Grrrr, where were those girls 30 years ago when I was single?) Only disadvantage is that the brim acts like a wing in windy weather, you have to "trim" your head or hold onto your hat to keep it from blowing away.

Back to the movie, let's not forget the the Jubilaires appearing as porters and the like in this clip. Hard to believe we had so much talent available for even bit parts like this, try to find it in film today.

Is that Al Franken playing the trombone?
Great movies with real talent back then, no so much anymore. Just remakes.

Tell me about it! In my younger days, I had a dark brown fedora (the kids kidded me that it was my "Indiana Jones" hat) and one day I came around a corner in downtown Chicago (the "Windy City") and there went my fedora! I started out in chase but fortunately, a doorman at one of the hotels was in a better position and caught up to it for me. Sure wish though, that I still had that hat.

Les

Actually,there's still plenty of talent in "Hollywood" (shorthand for the Southern California entertainment industry), it's just that there's more money in movies with car crashes and steamy bedroom (and other places) scenes. Witty repartee is replaced with vulgar street talk. I think it was HL Mencken who said "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste [or was it intelligence?] of the American public." (yes, this is a bit off topic. Mr. Moderator, feel free to "86" it)