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The Only Chance
(1913) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by William Duncan
Cast: William Duncan [Charley West, the lineman], Lester Cuneo [the train dispatcher], Rex De Rosselli [the superintendent], Tom Mix [an engineer]
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Scenario by C. Chester Wesley. / Released 14 June 1913. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Charley West, a lineman, complains about his rickety old hand-car, and is given one that is up-to-date. He tries it out and finds he can send it sixty miles an hour. The train dispatcher, forgetting an oncoming special freight, allows a passenger train to leave the yard before he discovers his mistake. The trains are rushing toward each other, and there seems to be no way of avoiding a collision. Charley hears of this from the line operator, and decides to catch the passenger train. After a thrilling chase, he catches up with the train, twists the shutoff of the air line at the rear of the last coach, brings the train to a standstill and averts the imminent tragedy.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 26 July 1913, page ?] The producer of this picture, William Duncan, did better than the one who spliced it up. Everything that was needed for an exciting rush toward the climax is present; but the scenes are made to linger until there is no stir or vigor left. Freight and passenger trains are approaching each other and nothing can save a collision except a gasoline track car which is sent out to overtake the passenger train. The freight engine is shown puffing along; it locks like a rattlety-bang affair and, when we look at it for a whole moment, becomes almost laughable. Those scenes ought to have been cut short and shown oftener and the same is true of the passenger train scenes. It would have been better to have shown a picture of some sharp curve also, so as to suggest a point of danger at which the two might have come together. The scenes and backgrounds are full of fresh interest and keep the picture alive all through. The script is by C. Chester Wesley. William Duncan plays the leading role with Lester Cuneo, the man who let the trains get into danger. The photography is very clear.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Transporation: Trains
Listing updated: 17 April 2024.
References: Slide-Aspects p. ? : Website-IMDb.
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