Tag Archives: Frank Sinatra

Around the World in 80 Days 1956

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Warner Brothers

There were TWO distinct train scenes in this 182 minute, Oscar-winning monstrosity: the first in India and the second in Colorado. I plan to just review the footage taken along the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, narrow gauge lines. <– This last link is a FANTASTIC resource.

Taking its shape from the Jules Verne book of the same name, 80 Days follows the adventures of the fictitious Phileas Fogg (played by David Niven) and his loyal and resourceful valet, Passepartout (played by Cantinflas) as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

Of course, the REAL star of this entire production is D&RGW #315, a class C-18, 2-8-0, narrow gauge steam locomotive. She was originally built for the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad as their #3 “Elkton” by Baldwin in 1895.

Let’s have some fun and check out the Wild West portion of 80 Days. All Aboard!

Ignacio, Colorado’s depot, on the D&RGW Durango to Chama, NM line, stands in as Fort Kearney (note the cavalry riding in). Filmmakers painted up the town’s depot into a pleasing red, white and blue scheme.

This was the best view of the entire passenger train in the movie. From left to right: D&RGW #315, diesel hiding in a baggage car, combine #212, coach #320 and parlor car “Silver Palace”.

More about the hidden diesel later.

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Pal Joey 1957

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Columbia Pictures

Sinatra does San Francisco! Frank Sinatra plays Joey Evans, a crooning, womanizing cad, unceremoniously tossed onto a Southern Pacific train headed for the Oakland Mole. We are treated to Frank’s encounter with SP #4443, a GS-4 class 4-8-4 locomotive in Espee black/silver. In addition, is footage inside the Mole and a ferry boat ride across the Bay.

I originally reviewed just the Pal Joey movie opening credits (see bottom of this posting for link). Once I started researching the movie, however, I discovered there were additional railroad-related scenes (Berkeley train station, Embarcadero building, Alco switcher & cable cars), so I wound up purchasing the DVD for those scenes as well.

The movie itself is a lot of fun with Rita Hayworth (rahr-RAHR!) and Kim Novak (hubba-HUBBA!) as rivals for Frank’s affections. Let’s take a closer look at San Francisco rails from the last golden days of the 1950’s. Highball! (very dry, please…).

Two soldiers jog past SP #4443 as it comes to a stop with its short train (baggage car and 3 coaches).

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