The Lost Special (1932)

The Lost Special is a 1932 American Pre-Code Universal movie serial based on the 1898 short story "The Lost Special" by Arthur Conan Doyle. This adaptation deleted all references to Doyle's Sherlock Holmes character, and moved events to the American Old West.

This was the 84th serial (and the 16th serial with sound) to be released by Universal.

Plot overview

A special train carrying gold bullion is hijacked on its way from the Golconda Mine. Laying down portable tracks, the bandits take the train off the main line, hide it in an abandoned mine shaft, steal the gold, and eradicate their makeshift tracks, leaving a mystery in their wake. Part owner of the mine, Potter Hood, and the railroad president, Horace Moore, search for the mysteriously disappeared train and gold. They are unaware, however, that the criminals are working secretly for Sam Slater, the other partner in the gold mine, who wants to sabotage mine operations enough that he can take over completely. Potter's son, Tom Hood, arrives home from college and determines to solve the mystery with the aid of his pal Bob Collins. They board the gold-shipment special train on its next run. Meanwhile, newspaper reporter Betty Moore – who is niece to the railroad president – and her friend Kate Bland begin their own investigation. After the four youths foil an attempt at a second heist, they join forces. The next 11 chapters show the characters' attempts to locate the "Lost Special" train and identify the ringleader.

Cliff-hanger endings include a runaway car sailing off a cliff into a lake, the heroine's car crashing headlong into an oncoming train and our heroes being trapped by rising water in a dungeon.

Cast

Frank Albertson as Tom Hood, son of Potter Hood

Ernie Nevers as Bob Collins, Tom's friend.

Cecilia Parker as Betty Moore, Reporter and niece of Horace Moore

Francis Ford as Potter Hood, part owner of the Golconda gold mine

J. Frank Glendon as Sam Slater, part owner of the Golconda gold mine

Frank Beal as Horace Moore, owner of the railroad

Caryl Lincoln as Kate Bland, friend of Betty Moore

Tom London as Dirk/Detective Dane

Al Ferguson as Gavin

Jack Clifford as Doran

Edmund Cobb as Spike

Joe Bonomo as Joe

George Magrill as Lefty

Reb Russell as one of Bob's college pals

Larry Steers as Maitre'd (uncredited)

Harry Tenbrook as Henchman (uncredited)

Stunts

George DeNormand

George Magrill

Production

The advertising for the serial stated:

"Another BIG-AUTHOR serial from the same studios that gave you Peter B. Kyne's Heroes of the West and Talbot Mundy's Jungle Mystery"

"Terrifically fast, tremendously thrilling, and packed right with the sort of mystery that only the touch of a master writer can give!"

The Lost Special was Universal's 84th serial. In terms of Universal's serials in the sound era, it was the 16th. The series was written by veteran Universal serial writers Ella O'Neill, Basil Dickey, George Morgan, and George H. Plympton. The director was Henry MacRae. By the time he directed The Lost Special, MacRae had directed more than 100 short films and feature films.

Chapter titles

The Lost Special

Racing Death

The Red Lantern

Devouring Flames

The Lighting Strikes

The House of Mystery

The Tank Room Terror

The Fatal Race

Into the Depths

The Jaws of Death

The Flaming Forest

Retribution

Source:

See also

List of film serials by year

List of film serials by studio

References

External links

The Lost Special at IMDb