"The Iron Horse" was Director John's Ford tribute to the building of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s. It was a monumental task to which he did himself proud. Many of the so-called "Fordisms" started here. The secondary love story plays second fiddle to the construction of the two railroads...one from the east (Union Pacific) and one from the west (Central Pacific)
In pre Civil War Springfield Illinois, David Brandon (James Gordon) and his son Davy (Winston Miller) dream of a trans continental railroad across the country. Skeptic neighbor Thomas Marsh (Will Walling) has his doubts. A pre- presidential Abraham Lincoln (Charles Edward Bull) provides encouragement.
Brandon Sr. and Jr. set off for the west leaving a teary eyed Miriam Marsh (Peggy Cartwright, her doubting father and a hopeful Lincoln behind. On the trail, the Brandons are attacked by a group of renegade Cheyenne. While Davy hides, his father is brutally murdered by a white two fingered renegade known as Deroux (Fred Kohler) (Bauman in the International version).
In 1862 Congress authorizes the building of the two railroads from opposite sides of the country. Marsh has now become the chief builder of the Union Pacific with Jesson (Cyril Chadwick) his chief engineer. Miriam (Madge Bellamy) is engaged to the oily Jesson. One day a young Pony Express rider xbeing chased by Indians comes into the camp. He turns out to be a full grown Davy Brandon (George O'Brien) who is delighted to meet his childhood sweetheart.
Davy tells Marsh of a pass he and his father had discovered years earlier that would save the railroad 200 miles. Deroux/Bauman however owns all the land in the other direction and plans to stop Davy from showing the way. He enlists prostitute Ruby (Gladys Hulette) to seduce Jesson and convince him to thwart Davy's plans. At the pass, Jesson tries to murder Davy but unknowingly fails.
When Davy walks into the camp a showdown between himself and Jesson is inevitable. Meanwhile, Deroux/Bauman orchestrates an Indian attack on the rail camp but is caught by Davy and the two battle with Davy discovering that it was Deroux.Bauman who murdered his father. Fearing Miriam's scorn if he goes after Jesson, Davy chooses to leave camp and join the Central Pacific crew. Eventually the two Railways meet and the country is united.
As would be the case in future Ford films, he introduces the three Irish ex soldiers: Sergeant Slattery (Francis Powers), Cpl. Casey (J. Farrell MacDonald) and Pvt. Schultz (Jim Welch) who provide the comedic moments in the film. Casey's visit to the dentist is a case in point. There is also a Judge Roy Bean type Judge Haller who administers "justice" across a bar. Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill Hickok also show up briefly. Although Davy takes care od Deroux/Bauman, the fate of Jeeson is left unknown.
George O'Brien became an overnight star and went on to a lengthy career. With this film, John Ford established himself as a front line director.
In pre Civil War Springfield Illinois, David Brandon (James Gordon) and his son Davy (Winston Miller) dream of a trans continental railroad across the country. Skeptic neighbor Thomas Marsh (Will Walling) has his doubts. A pre- presidential Abraham Lincoln (Charles Edward Bull) provides encouragement.
Brandon Sr. and Jr. set off for the west leaving a teary eyed Miriam Marsh (Peggy Cartwright, her doubting father and a hopeful Lincoln behind. On the trail, the Brandons are attacked by a group of renegade Cheyenne. While Davy hides, his father is brutally murdered by a white two fingered renegade known as Deroux (Fred Kohler) (Bauman in the International version).
In 1862 Congress authorizes the building of the two railroads from opposite sides of the country. Marsh has now become the chief builder of the Union Pacific with Jesson (Cyril Chadwick) his chief engineer. Miriam (Madge Bellamy) is engaged to the oily Jesson. One day a young Pony Express rider xbeing chased by Indians comes into the camp. He turns out to be a full grown Davy Brandon (George O'Brien) who is delighted to meet his childhood sweetheart.
Davy tells Marsh of a pass he and his father had discovered years earlier that would save the railroad 200 miles. Deroux/Bauman however owns all the land in the other direction and plans to stop Davy from showing the way. He enlists prostitute Ruby (Gladys Hulette) to seduce Jesson and convince him to thwart Davy's plans. At the pass, Jesson tries to murder Davy but unknowingly fails.
When Davy walks into the camp a showdown between himself and Jesson is inevitable. Meanwhile, Deroux/Bauman orchestrates an Indian attack on the rail camp but is caught by Davy and the two battle with Davy discovering that it was Deroux.Bauman who murdered his father. Fearing Miriam's scorn if he goes after Jesson, Davy chooses to leave camp and join the Central Pacific crew. Eventually the two Railways meet and the country is united.
As would be the case in future Ford films, he introduces the three Irish ex soldiers: Sergeant Slattery (Francis Powers), Cpl. Casey (J. Farrell MacDonald) and Pvt. Schultz (Jim Welch) who provide the comedic moments in the film. Casey's visit to the dentist is a case in point. There is also a Judge Roy Bean type Judge Haller who administers "justice" across a bar. Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill Hickok also show up briefly. Although Davy takes care od Deroux/Bauman, the fate of Jeeson is left unknown.
George O'Brien became an overnight star and went on to a lengthy career. With this film, John Ford established himself as a front line director.