The Lightning Express Explained

The Lightning Express is a 1930 American pre-Code Universal film serial, featuring the adventures of "Whispering Smith" (played by Al Ferguson). This serial is considered a lost film.^[1]

The serial's story focuses on whether a railroad will be allowed to cross a family's property.^[2]

Cast

• Lane Chandler as Jack Venable
• Louise Lorraine as Bobbie
• Al Ferguson as detective Whispering Smith
• Greta Granstedt as Kate
• J. Gordon Russell as Frank Sayer, the villain
• John Oscar as Bill Lewellyn
• Martin Cichy as Hank
• Bob Reeves as Floyd Griswell
• James Pierce as henchman
• Robert Kelly as henchman

Production

The Lightning Express was based on "Whispering Smith Speaks" by Frank H. Spearman.^[3] Released by Universal on June 3, 1930, it was a remake of Whispering Smith Rides (1927).^[4]

Chapter titles

1. A Shot in the Dark
2. A Scream of Terror
3. Dangerous Rails
4. The Death Trap
5. Tower of Terror
6. A Call for Help
7. The Runaway Freight
8. The Showdown
9. The Secret Survey
10. Cleared Tracks

_Source:^[5]

See also

• List of film serials by year
• List of film serials by studio

Notes and References

1. Book: Mayer . Geoff . Encyclopedia of American Film Serials . 2017-02-09 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-7762-3 . 71 . June 17, 2021 . en.
2. Book: Webb . Graham . Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959 . 2020-07-13 . McFarland . 978-1-4766-8118-4 . 318 . June 17, 2021 . en.
3. Book: Cline, William C. . In the Nick of Time . registration . 1984 . McFarland & Company, Inc. . 0-7864-0471-X . 10 . 2. .
4. Book: Rainey . Buck . Serials and Series: A World Filmography, 1912-1956 . 2015-06-08 . McFarland . 978-1-4766-0448-0 . 141–142 . June 17, 2021 . en.
5. Book: Cline , William C. . In the Nick of Time . registration . 1984 . McFarland & Company, Inc. . 0-7864-0471-X . 201 . Filmography .