Cristi_Ciopron Actually quite a crafty and thoughtful sitcom, with some enjoyable twists, and perhaps one should begin by understanding what this movie's style implies, you can judge the degree of craft that went into shooting this comedy by the very natural instantaneous changes of key, from the overabundance of comedy to the suspenseful moments (as when the station master returns, or when the ghost train passes, etc.); despite the fact that some mistake it for a shocker, which by no means was it ever meant to be. Even a seeming clumsiness like Julia's acting when she raves within the station, gets explained after-wards. Slapstick and sitcom, thoughtfully plotted; though coming from the league of unpretentiousness (the script is an occasional story, with a patriotic intent, and at least one mind-blowing twist …), it shows an enchanting ease at switching registers, at passing from slapstick to paranormal suspense, I also liked very much the sets, the station and its few shown surroundings. A 4th intimation would be that the leading actor knew how to move, how to use his body, and also how to make a bawdy remark; also, complainers who find his acting indigestible or astringent should be aware that this movie is a vehicle for him, he actually is the leading actor.

pitt70 I really wanted to like this film. I really did. It sounded like it had so much potential. A ghost story, a comedy. Another "Ghost Breakers" or "Cat and the Canary", or "Hold that Ghost", I thought. No such luck.I started to loose focus after about 20 minutes but I stuck with it for 45 before I finally called it a night. I thought maybe I just wasn't in the right mood and since I had recorded it on my DVR I decided I'd try again in a few days. The second time around I didn't even make it to 45 minutes.The problem, at least for me, was Arthur Askey. I found myself repeating the words, "God, what an obnoxious ham". I tried to see past him, but he's in every scene, and every scene he's in .. he ruins. I realize that other reviewers seem to think he's great. I guess it's a perfect example of "different strokes".I can't help but wonder what fun this movie could have been with Bob Hope or Abbott & Costello.

binapiraeus This is the remake of the 1931 version of the 1923 stage play "The Ghost Train" - but, unlike many remakes, it doesn't look inferior to its predecessor (of which unfortunately only parts have survived), but takes a fresh, and very entertaining approach to the old subject, with a nice balance between ghost story and comedy. First of all, it updates the political background that is revealed in the end, giving a VERY real explanation for the 'ghost train' legend: while in 1931, it were Russian gun runners who used the train, now it's the Fifth Column, the stooges of the German Nazis - England obviously had discovered at last who the REAL enemy was... And then, the characters who are assembled here at this lonely train station are even more amusing and typically British than in the first version! It all starts when vaudeville comedian Tommy Gander (Arthur Askey) - who will continue throughout the movie to pester his fellow passengers with his strange kind of 'humor' - loses his hat and stops the train in order to retrieve it; which results in them all losing their connection train and being forced to stay overnight at a shady train station, in the middle of a blazing thunderstorm... So the atmosphere is already nice and creepy - but the station master enhances it by telling them about a 'ghost train' that drives through the station at nights, ever since a horrible train accident years ago, when the then station master, while trying to turn the wheel to close the swing bridge for the train to pass over the river, died of a heart attack, and the train crashed into the deep... He then leaves them, and they try to forget about the spooky story and pass the night as comfortable as possible.But then, at exactly eleven o'clock - the time the accident had occurred then - the station master returns, and collapses on the floor. One of the passengers, a doctor, declares him dead from - heart failure; and the fear of the people in that dark, lonely shack returns. And soon afterward, a young woman rushes in from the rain (beautiful Linden Travers, well known to fans of classic British cinema from Hitchcock's early masterpiece "The Lady Vanishes"), declaring hysterically that she's GOT to see the ghost train - and right after her, her brother appears, who explains that she's mentally ill and only imagines everything... Anyway, the tension rises (despite the constant 'tries' by the vaudeville comedian to cheer up the others) - until the VERY real explanation for the 'ghost train' story is revealed: it's being used for smuggling rifles for the Nazis through the swing bridge over the river; but by the time the passengers understand that, the three spies - the doctor, the strange woman and her brother - already have put them onto a bus and are driving away from the station, while the 'resurrected' station master is preparing the train for its ride over the swing bridge - the only thing they DON'T know is: the seemingly dopey comedian had changed the wheel earlier, and the bridge is OPEN! And so, the Nazis have got to watch from the other side of the river how 'their' train runs at full speed into the river...A very nice, typically British piece of classic movie entertainment, admirably suitable for any fan of good old-fashioned spooky tales who also possesses a good sense of humor!

jameslms1 Late one night, many years ago, I came across this movie, and although it is filled with holes (see other reviews), it was still very enjoyable. I managed to record it, unfortunately the old VHS is well and truly gone and I would dearly love to obtain a copy on DVD region 4 (Australia). Alas, to no avail. You see, it is one of those films you want to go back to time and time again. This film was made when Britain had its back to the wall, and the British film industry wanted to both entertain and educate her people of the various dangers surrounding them. It is a warm and corny trip back into a time long gone. Having said that, if you ever get the opportunity to watch this film, do yourself a favor, sit back with a glass of your favorite beverage, kick off your shoes and watch a cheesy old WW2 propaganda film that is still entertaining, and will bring a gentle smile to your face.