We got to arguing what year A Christmas Story was set - 30s vs. 40s - I picked the former because of the toy trains in the window - presumably new - and the Orphan Annie decoder pin which seems to say 1940 on it…
My guess is the 1940’s Doug. I’m a huge fan of Gene Shepherd’s, and consider his books to be American classics. I’ll bet Garrison Kyler was a huge fan as well.
The Polar Express - very briefly at the end of the film, a “toy” 3 rail version of the “real” Polar Express is seen running around the Christmas tree. It is rendered as a tinplate starter set with 2 cars, and is first seen exiting a styrofoam or paper mache tunnel.
Jim
In re: “Donovan’s Reef” posting on 1st page. That’s a Lionel 2037, not Marx. Fun flick, got it on DVD.
In the movie “The Battle of the Bulge” a Lionel train is used to depict a real train making it’s way through the mountains. It’s so obviously not a real train it’s comical.
The movie “Hard Times” with Charles Bronson has many excellent real train scenes.
The Cincinnati Kid has Steve McQueen dodging back guys in a train yard and jumping a moving turntable.
RE: A Christmas story— check out the full scale automobiles; I’m not a car guy but those don’t look like 30’s models to me. I believe I read somewhere else it is set in the late forties…
How about toy trains masquerading as real? Didn’t the 50s movie “the Black Scorpion” have a train that said Lionel Lines on it? Haven’t seen the movie to verify since hearing that, though.
Excuse me if it has already been mentioned, but who can forget the otherwise very forgettable 1965 “John Goldfarb, Please Come Home” featuring Peter Ustinov as mad King Fawz and his Arabian palace full of very large-scale trains equipped with TV camers that dashed in and out of the haren, among other niceties?
I’ve got The Black Scorpion on dvd - I’ll check it out this weekend if I get time!
I agree with Andre but like John Astin better in the origional Addams Family series.Guess I’m showing my age.
Ed
I agree with Andre but like John Astin better in the origional Addams Family series.Guess I’m showing my age.
Ed
Not previously mentioned:
The Titfield Thunderbolt – local minister tries to keep branchline running; has scenes with oldest operating British steamer (Lion). (Available in N.A. in boxed set with 4 other Ealing comedies.)
An Inspectore Morse TV series - set in a brewery – scion of family has roomful of Hornby OO gauge – complains when mother comes back from hobby shop with wrong guards van. Not a favourable portrayal of hobby.
Re: the Lady Killers – the original English version with the house sitting abouve the tunnels from Kings Cross station. (Haven’t heard any mention of trains in the remake.)
Movie: Suddenly (1950s) lots of train shots. Saw it as a child on a double bill with another picture with RR title (Union Pacific?). Suddenly seemed to have more trains.
Donavan’s Reef with John Wayne and Lee Marvin. lee plays with a cool marx set in the bar. The set had switches, gates and lights. Movie was from 1952 I think and if I recall the cars were the delux plastic 8 wheel variety.
I always liked Holiday affair from the 50’s as well.
WOW - I didn’t know they released those Ealing comedies! On my wishlist - I’ll wait until Deepdiscountdvd has one of their bi-annual sales (should be in May) with 20 percent off! I love Whiskey Galore (aka Tight Little Island) and the rest sound terrific!
Well Im off to BlockBuster Video this weekend[(-D]
OK…Not really a movie or a train; but I thought I’d give an honorary mention to the Trolley on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.
In one of the Halloween movies I think…I twas a horror movie. A guy who is a model train nut is sadly killed . you an tell because of all hst models including a BN caboose in a goldfish blwl
HBO recently had a movie on about FDR’s handicap and subsequent purchase of the Warm Springs spa. Cynthia Nixon of Sex in the City played Eleanor. Anyway, one scene showed their children playing with what were supposed to be Lionel Standard Gauge trains on the floor. But the trains all had operating whistles.
Jim
2 episodes of the first season of Wild Wild West feature toy trains. In one episode, a bad guy has a working model to demonstrate how his train killing tank/locomotive will destroy American trains unless his demands are met. In another, Dr. Loveless sends exploding toys to rich peopole in a bid to take over California - including a train set. The guy who got it has his servants and bodyguards helping him as he schedules the trains and changes consists (sort of).
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QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater
Yes! Throw Momma From The Train! Funny stuff!
could be wrong but noboby said the movie the Toy with richard pryor in it if you havent seen it. it is a must see because it has a toy train layout that was showed many of times from different angles and you really get a great look at the setup its in the little boys bedroom. i thought it was really cool and thats one of the reasons i bought the movie. i remember seeing the movie when i was a child and just recently purchased it well not recently in november. they sale it at wal-mart in the 5.99 to 9.99 section of movies hope you get a chance to see it