I saw this last year at a film festival and I was really surprised. Johnny Hines was a kind of everyday Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in that he was resourceful, determined, smart and could overcome any obstacle in the name of love and justice. But best of all, this is funny throughout most of the picture. See it if you get a chance!
5 Reviews
All you could want in a comedy.
jennyp-23 April 2003
A delightful comedy with romance and a great chase scene at the end. Johnny Hinds plays Terry O'Toole, a young Irishman who emigrates to America and becomes a streetcar conductor. He rescues the young son of the company president from death, foils the attempts of crooks to take over the company and then marries the boss's daughter. Along the way, Hinds finds time to do a dance duet in a camel suit. One of the big hits at Cinefest 2003 in Syracuse New York.
Great fun
morrisonhimself26 June 2002
Though it has been some years since I saw this film at The Silent Movie Theater in Los Angeles, I still remember it as terrific fun.
One scene in particular was such a spectacular, gracefully athletic, even if apparently unmotivated, stunt -- a display of the lead character's joy -- the audience with me broke into spontaneous cheers and applause.
I urge anyone who likes movies to grab at any opportunity to watch this.
We need to write Turner Classic Movies about "Conductor 1492" and urge that network to get a copy, even if TCM shows it only on its Silent Sunday.
There are some wonderful Irish stereotypes, beautifully played, and the whole film is just a romp from start to finish. It's one I'd love to have a copy of, so I hope people will tell me if it's ever available on tape or disc.
GREAT NEWS, added 1 Aug 2015: There is a version available at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7hZQhN6rwY HOORAY!
One scene in particular was such a spectacular, gracefully athletic, even if apparently unmotivated, stunt -- a display of the lead character's joy -- the audience with me broke into spontaneous cheers and applause.
I urge anyone who likes movies to grab at any opportunity to watch this.
We need to write Turner Classic Movies about "Conductor 1492" and urge that network to get a copy, even if TCM shows it only on its Silent Sunday.
There are some wonderful Irish stereotypes, beautifully played, and the whole film is just a romp from start to finish. It's one I'd love to have a copy of, so I hope people will tell me if it's ever available on tape or disc.
GREAT NEWS, added 1 Aug 2015: There is a version available at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7hZQhN6rwY HOORAY!
One of the Best Films Ever Made!
JohnHowardReid6 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
One of the best films ever made, this elaborately produced (by Warner Brothers Pictures) and absolutely delightful comedy drama should be a big hit now that it is available on an excellent Alpha DVD. And not only is its appeal limited to streetcar buffs! Yes, there are many scenes with Johnny Hines apparently in control of a real streetcar whizzing along real streets in a real town. One wonders where? Hollywood? Anyway, in addition to the delightful streetcar plot and the machinations of the villains to gain control of the company so that they can increase fares and make more money, is a nice romance between our hero and the streetcar manager's daughter (beautifully played by Doris May). Not only that, but an important Irish sub-plot raises its humor-laden head every now and again, and it features an outstanding performance by Dan Mason as our hero's aged dad, Mike O'Toole. And speaking of fathers, I especially liked the heroine's dad (ingratiatingly played by Fred Esmelton) as well! In addition to his scenes with the streetcar and the heroine (and her dad and his dad), Johnny also extracts more than a bit of fun with the plight of his newly arrived immigrant battling with the joys of living in a boarding house. Produced on a lavish budget, this movie is, all told – as I wrote right at the beginning – one of the most entertaining ever made!
too good to be forgotten
planktonrules24 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I have seen a huge number of silent comedies--so why hadn't I heard of "Conductor 1492"? After all, it's a very good film--with lots of lovely moments.
The film begins in Ireland. Terry O'Toole (Jimmy Hines) is about to depart for America. His father gives him a doll to take along for good luck and tells him to try to get a job as a trolley conductor--he'd done that himself in America many years before and loved the job. So, naturally, shortly after arriving, Terry gets a job driving a trolley and is an amazing guy--eventually saving the life of the company's president. Because of this, he is invited to their home and the pretty daughter soon falls for Terry--and vice-versa.
Because Terry received a nice reward for saving the boy's life, he's able to bring his very pugnacious father to the US. The scenes between the two in America are pretty cool and the old man is pretty easy to like--he's definitely a big of a character.
In the meantime, the president is in a power struggle with another man for control of the company. Each owns 49% of the stock and whichever can find and obtain the outstanding 2% of the stock certificates will be the boss. The evil competitor decides to use forged stocks to try to take control--but Terry and his dad have plans of their own. Tune in to see for yourself what will happen next.
The film has some funny moments, but like some of the better comedies of the era, it is NOT a film based around slapstick and cheap jokes but is more about character development and plot. While not quite up to the quality of a Harold Lloyd or Buster Keaton film (where the characters were more likable and established in the public's eye), it is a very good film--and deserves a wider reputation--even if it does seem to get a few too many laughs making fun of the supposed love the Irish have for fighting--a bit of a negative stereotype and cheap laugh.
By the way if you see this an can't get enough of trolley films, try finding a copy of Lloyd's "Speedy"--a truly great comedy.
The film begins in Ireland. Terry O'Toole (Jimmy Hines) is about to depart for America. His father gives him a doll to take along for good luck and tells him to try to get a job as a trolley conductor--he'd done that himself in America many years before and loved the job. So, naturally, shortly after arriving, Terry gets a job driving a trolley and is an amazing guy--eventually saving the life of the company's president. Because of this, he is invited to their home and the pretty daughter soon falls for Terry--and vice-versa.
Because Terry received a nice reward for saving the boy's life, he's able to bring his very pugnacious father to the US. The scenes between the two in America are pretty cool and the old man is pretty easy to like--he's definitely a big of a character.
In the meantime, the president is in a power struggle with another man for control of the company. Each owns 49% of the stock and whichever can find and obtain the outstanding 2% of the stock certificates will be the boss. The evil competitor decides to use forged stocks to try to take control--but Terry and his dad have plans of their own. Tune in to see for yourself what will happen next.
The film has some funny moments, but like some of the better comedies of the era, it is NOT a film based around slapstick and cheap jokes but is more about character development and plot. While not quite up to the quality of a Harold Lloyd or Buster Keaton film (where the characters were more likable and established in the public's eye), it is a very good film--and deserves a wider reputation--even if it does seem to get a few too many laughs making fun of the supposed love the Irish have for fighting--a bit of a negative stereotype and cheap laugh.
By the way if you see this an can't get enough of trolley films, try finding a copy of Lloyd's "Speedy"--a truly great comedy.
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