Review of Danger Lights

Slowed down in its first half by the romantic subplot involving Robert Armstrong and Jean Arthur, this creeky early talkie livens up in its conclusion and through the performance of silent after Louis Wolheim in his last film. As the proud, overly tyrannical father of Arthur, Wolheim objects to her involvement with Armstrong and instead insists that she marry another man. When he finds them together in a rainstorm with Armstrong's leg conveniently trapped in a train rail (with train fastly approaching), he attempts to kill Armstrong but at the last minute makes a sacrifice which in a horrific moment sees him pretty much run over by the train. Miraculously, he survives, and Wolheim must be rushed to the city for an emergency operation to save his life.

The exciting conclusion with a train rushing to New York City for an emergency operation is thrilling and wrought with tension. in fact, every time the train rushes through, there is excitement, such as the opening where an avalanche of huge rocks threatens to send the train off its rails. Armstrong is good, but Arthur is given a sappy heroin role with no real dimension. It would take a few years before capital would discover her and turn her into the tough-talking screwball, a heroin that we've come to know and love. Wolheim's performance as a basically unlikeable character is intense and commanding. It adds the genuine melodrama that makes v nail biting at times, which Hugh Herbert providing a bit of comedy as a local drunk.