Red Signals" is a silent film from 1927, directed by J.P. McGowan. Here's a summary based on available information:
Plot: The film centers around sabotage on a railroad where trains are being derailed and looted. The narrative involves a conspiracy aimed at disrupting railway operations, showcasing various scenes of train-related action and intrigue.
Setting: Much of the film is set in and around the Santa Fe La Grande Station in Los Angeles, which was later demolished due to earthquake damage in 1939. This setting provides a historical glimpse into early 20th-century railroading in Southern California, offering scenes at the old Santa Fe Arcade Station.
Characters: The main characters include Wallace MacDonald, Earle Williams, and Eva Novak, with J.P. McGowan himself appearing in the film. The characters navigate through the plot's tension, involving railroad sabotage and the subsequent investigation or thwarting of these activities.
Cinematography: The film is noted for its action sequences involving trains, including speeding freight and passenger trains, explosions, and derailments. It's appreciated by rail fans for its authentic depiction of railroad operations of the time, including wooden box cars and the general atmosphere of the era's rail travel.
- Cultural Significance: "Red Signals" provides a historical record of the Santa Fe Railway's operations, capturing the day-to-day life and the architectural beauty of the now-demolished Santa Fe La Grande Station. The film's use of real locations adds to its documentary-like quality, focusing on the life of ordinary people without the embellishment of wealth often seen in movies from or about the Depression era.
- Themes: While primarily an action-thriller, the film touches on themes of sabotage, loyalty, and the dangers of industrial operations, set against the backdrop of technological advancement in transportation.
- Reception: Described as having over-the-top acting typical of silent films, with humorous intertitles, "Red Signals" is more of a curiosity for its historical value and railroading scenes rather than for its narrative depth or cinematic innovation.