# The Iron Horse

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Cast and Crew :
| Cast ||
| Role | Actor |
| | George O'Brien |
| | Madge Bellamy |
| | J. Farrell MacDonald |
| | James Welch |
| | Francis Powers |
| | Gladys Hulette |
| | Jean Arthur |
| | George Brent |
| | Peggy Cartwright |
| | Sid Jordan |
| | Delbert Mann |
| | John B. O'Brien |
| | Jack Richardson |
| | Harold D. Schuster |
| | Cyril Chadwick |
| | Francis Gary Powers |
| | Fred Kohler |
| | George Waggner |
| | James Marcus |
| | Willie Fung |
| | James Marcus |
| | Will Walling |
| | James Gordon |
| Crew ||
| Production company | 20th Century Studios |
| Distributor | 20th Century Studios |
| Director | John Ford (d. 1973) |
| Producer | John Ford |
| Screenwriter | Charles Kenyon (d. 1961) |
| Cinematographer | George Schneiderman (d. 1964) |
| Editor | Harold D. Schuster |
| Composer | Ernö Rapée (d. 1945) |
| Production designer | William S. Darling |
| Based on available information, the latest crew member that is relevant to international copyright laws died in 1973, meaning that this film may be in the public domain in countries and jurisdictions with 50 years p.m.a. or less, as well as in the United States. ||
WILLIAM FOX Presents THE IRON HORSE
Copyright William Fox
Passed by the National Board of Review.
A JOHN FORD PRODUCTION
Story by Charles Kenyon and John Russell
Scenario by Charles Kenyon
Photography by George Schneiderman
Titles by Charles Darnton.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Accurate and faithful in every particular of fact and atmosphere is this pictorial history of the building of the first transcontinental railroad.
DEDICATION
To the ever-living memory of Abraham Lincoln, the Builder———and of those dauntless engineers and toilers who fulfilled his dream of a greater Nation.
FOREWORD
During the Civil War the United States was divided non only into North and South———but also into East and West, by a seemingly impassable barrier of prairie, desert and mountain.
More than to any other man, the Nation owes gratitude to Abraham Lincoln whose vision and resolution held the North and the South while moulding with blood and with iron the East and the West.
Springfield, Illinois, in the days when a transcontinental railroad was but a dream.
One of the dreamers——Brandon, a Surveyor——
—and one of the skeptics—Thomas Marsh, a small contractor.
"Having another of your day-dreams of rail across the continent, Brandon?"
"Yes, Tom——dreaming of rail that'll reclaim that wilderness out there clean to California—
"——And with the help of God, I'll lend a hand to blaze the trail."
"We was just surveyin' through to the pond."
"Just heard down to the store that you'd made up your mind to trail west."
"I'm going to start in a couple of weeks, Abe."
Against winter snows—their few belongings sold—Brandon and his boy are impelled westward by the strong urge of progress.
"Are you ever comin' back, Davy?"
"Poor dreamer——he's chasing a rainbow!"
"Yes Tom———and some day men like you will be laying rails along that rainbow."
He feels the momentum of a great nation pushing westward——he sees the inevitable.
And others see——but face it in defiance.
Three months later—springtime in the Cheyenne Hills.
"Look, lad! Some day there'll be a railroad through that pass———it's two hundred miles shorter than the Indian trail."
"But you're a white man!"
"You'll never tell that to anybody else!"
"Daddy———daddy was killed———a two-fingered Indian killed him."
Years pass—and dreams of a transcontinental railroad shape into reality.
It is June, 1862——and Congress has authorized the simultaneous building of the two railroads.
The Union Pacific is to go west from Omaha, Nebraska. The Central Pacific (first unit of the Southern Pacific) is to go east from Sacramento, California.
"Surely, Mr. President, you will not sign the bill for this engineering folly, now that every cent is needed to carry on the war?"
"We must not let problems of war blind us to greater problems of the peace to come——
"Or we will have fought in vain."
"Mr. President, don't you remember me—Miriam Marsh?"
"And where is little Davy, who went west with his daddy?
"Now, that was a boy well worth your waiting for."
"Mr. President, this is Mr. Jesson—my father's engineer—and my fiancé.
"Mr. President, the whole nation hopes you will sign that bill."
"I have decided."
ALincoln
The far-seeing wisdom of the great rail-splitter President is the beginning of the Empire of the West.
From Sacramento, in 1863, the Central Pacific has started with a rush——and after fourteen months scorn turns to wonder.
There is no white labor—it is necessary to bring in Chinese for the task.
Men and horses strain every nerve, hauling locomotives and supplies over the mountains—this making possible the construction of forty miles of track——while behind them tunnels are chiseled by hand.
From Omaha the following year come the Union Pacific crews—chiefly ex-soldiers of North and South, working peacefully side by side. They had laid the first rail three months after the assassination of President Lincoln.
♬♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝄾 ♪ 𝄾 ♪ ♬ 𝄾
"Drill, ye terriers, drill— Drill, ye terriers, drill—
♬ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♬ ♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯
"Sure, it's work all day, Without sugar in yer tay— When ye work for the U.P. Ra-a-ail-way——
♪ ♪ ♬ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ 𝄾
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♩ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯
"Drill, ye terriers, drill—
𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬ ♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝄾 ♬ ♪ ♪ ♪
♬ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ ♪ ♪ 𝄾 ♬ ♪ ♪ 𝄾 ♪ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬
"Drill, ye terriers, drill— An' work and shw-e-a-t—"
♪ ♪ 𝄾 ♫♫ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ 𝄾♪ ♪
In dead of winter, close behind the advancing rails, headquarters has jumped to North Platte.
HOTELSTOLP.
"Mornin', Serg'nt Slattery."
"Likewise, Corp'ral Casey."
"Hurry up with yer crawlin' shovelers—me min are stumblin' over thim."
"Is that so! Listen——I slowed thim up a-purpose, so's we wouldn't be leavin' ye behind."
For their main food supply, the men depend on buffalo meat.
A young man named Cody, a crack shot, who supplies buffalo meat to the workers, is nicknamed "Buffalo Bill."
To the hardships of toil are added the rigors of winter.
The long overdue supply and pay train is eagerly awaited.
"Aint't it a shame——thim fool Indians tryin' to rope our poor, weak little injine."
HERCU[LE]
U P R R
His brother.
Indians attacked train No 8 near Clay Send help to -
"The two months' payroll is on that train———if it's lost, it means trouble with the men."
Beyond the aid of the rescue train.
Thomas Marsh, in charge of this division, faces the most vital single problem in Union Pacific construction——a short cut through the hills must be found.
"Jesson, it will be financially impossible to keep on unless we find a short cut to save the two hundred miles ahead of us around the Black Hills."
Deroux—the richest landowner in the Cheyenne country.
"Marsh is in there now, demanding a shorter pass than Smoky River."
"Does he know I own that whole Smoky River section?"
"Hear you're hunting for a short cut through the hills."
"Yes, I am sending Mr. Jesson out in a few days."
"All work—no pay—snow an' chilblains——buffalo meat mak' us seek———Indians shoot like hell——everything no good——we quit!"
U. P. R. R.
"Say, boss, there's no gettin' on with these furriners——I knocked five of thim down———an' even then they wouldn't work."
Her heart in the road, Miriam stands with her father.
"Men, this great work depends on you——for the sake of your country, I ask you to finish it——make the whole Nation proud of you!"
"They don't understand ye miss! Ye got to swear at 'em!"
"Tony——please——you'll go back for another week——won't you?"
"Anything to oblige a lady!"
"For the beautiful signorina, Tony he build the beeg ra'lroad heemself——alone!"
"'Twas me iligant Irish iloquence that did it——was it not!"
"Yes, it was——
"——not!"
In its steady pursuit of the Union Pacific, Judge Haller's combined court and saloon has earned the name of "Hell on Wheels".
JEDGE HALLER SOUPERIER-JEDGE ———BY——— SPESHAL APOYNTMENT N.P. MY PAPERS FROM THE GUVENR AINT COME AS THE STAGE WAS ROBBED, BUT I'M JEDGING JEST THE SAME JED HALLER.
Ruby, the bright—but not too particular—star of the "Arabian Nights" dance tent.
"This bar of likker is now a bar of justice———sit down!"
"They've got Ruby up before the judge again for shooting!"
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS
Ah Fat Wong, Plaintiff, vs. Maggie Rush, Defendant
Appeal from the Second District. INDICTMENT FOR ASSAULT. VERDICT, GUILTY. The indictment charged that the defendant did on the 13th day of December, 1860, vicously attack Ah Fat Wong, a Chinaman. The State proved that the defendant assaulted the plaintiff with a knife; that there was also a slight abrasion of the skin upon the plaintiff
"Y'ain't a Chinaman, be yuh?"
"Your Honor, Deroux requests my presence at the hotel———so ta-ta."
"The fair defendant is excused pro tem—the trial kin go right on without her."
"The charge is attempted murder—
"———but the gent threw whiskey in the face of a lady what's known to tote a gun——
"——which ain't attempted murder at all, but deliberate suicide———case dismissed."
"Do you know Jesson——Marsh's engineer?"
"Now you play up to him——give him anything he wants not to find a pass through the hills."
"You're a smart girl, Ruby———and this will mean your fare to see your folks back East in Kansas City."
That night Jesson works late on his maps——next day he is to leave for the Cheyenne Hills.
"I'm afraid I've sprained my ankle———please let me lean on you till I get to my house.
"My friends will make you very rich if you fail to find a shorter pass than Smoky River."
Next day———as Marsh is making a tour of inspection—
"That's a pony express rider!"
"Jump off yer hoss and run!"
U P R R
"Saints alive——he did jump!"
"Have you asked our young friend to ride with us in the car to the end of track, Miriam?"
"Miriam! Not Miriam Marsh?
"Don't you remember me——Davy Brandon——of Springfield?"
"And where is your father, Davy?"
"Dad was killed on the trail out here."
"This is Mr. Jesson——we're engaged to be married."
"You're from the same part of the country——I thought you might have met before."
Nearing the end of track.
"Davy, our money is running low——unless we can find a shorter cut than Smoky River, we're beaten!"
"——some day there'll be a railroad through that pass———"
"Yes———dad showed me exactly what you're looking for——one night just before——
"——he was murdered by a two-fingered renegade, who headed a band of Cheyennes."
"I know that section——there's no such pass."
"Will you go with Jesson to look for this pass?"
The end of track.
"Why don't you Eyetalians quit loafin' an' lay some track?"
"You sittin' in that cab! If we was movin' a pianner, you're the kind of a feller that would grab the stool."
Davy starts with Jesson on his quest.
"It would be best if he never came back."
"It's a lucky thing, me boy, that ye jumped when I told ye!"
"That's another life I've saved!"
While a great herd of cattle starts from Texas on an 800-mile trail to feed the railroad workmen.
The straggling town of Cheyenne———soon to become another Union Pacific metropolis.
KELLYS
PONY EXPRESS STAGE STATION
"Boys, headquarters gets here in a few days!"
½ACRES$$_{25}$
½ACRES$$_{250}$
MOVING DAY IN NORTH PLATTE
Its reign as the Union Pacific is over——another night and in will be deserted—with its inhabitants building a new city in distant Cheyenne.
HOTEL
D$^{ANCE}$ HALL
BANK
JUDGE HALLER'S SALOON AND COURT
Hell on Wheels.
Boarding HOUSE.
"Boys, this bar of justice and likker will still function when we get to Cheyenne—let 'er go!"
Friendly Pawnees, enlisted by the Government, guard the workers.
Everything but the old houses moves on wheels.
U P R R WAREHOUSE
The price of the town's last night of orgy.
"C'mon——the old soak's deep enough!"
"I hereby pro-nounce you man and wife———by jiminy!"
And not even a dog remains.
In the Black Hills—Davy and Jesson have come to Brandon's pass.
"It's perfectly safe for you to go down."
"Not for me—thanks!"
A new and greater Cheyenne springs into life.
SALOONHARDWAREHAY GRAINR R EATI[NG HOUSE]
HOTEL BENTEAL
PONY-EXPRESS STAGE STATION
SAL$^{OON}$
MY WIFE TAKES IN WASHEN
"I calc'late to keep law an' order in this here town, Wild Bill Hickok, if I have to shoot the hull population."
MARS
"I want a divorce!"
"Deevorce! Look here, didn't I marry you in North Platte not more'n ten hours ago?
"Now separate!"
DENTIST&BARBER
The three musketeers— Sergeant Slattery, Corporal Casey, Private Schultz.
"Go on——be a man and a soldier!"
"I———think———I'd——rather——be——shaved——"
"Shure I niver dreamed the roots could go that deep."
"Welcome back, Jesson! General Dodge, our engineer-in-chief, is eager for your report."
"Sorry, sir——but there's no pass other than Smoky River."
"But young Brandon was so positive——where is he?"
"I deeply regret to say he fell into a ravine and was killed."
"Too bad about young Brandon. You must be glad, though, than it happened to him instead of to me, aren't you?"
While the great cattle herds rumble along the trail from Kansas.
The road of his father's dreams——his road——for he, too, is helping to build it.
But the rails curve southward toward Smoky River—has Jesson failed to report the discovery of the shorter pass?
"Casey, why are they laying track toward Smoky River?"
"There's gonna be a foight!"
| BAR | Whisky BEER LIQUOR | DANCING |
4
"They're laying track south———why?"
"Mr. Jesson reported that no other pass was practical."
"If you made such a report, you deliberately lied."
SALOON AND COURT
Beer—— CORDIALS
WHI[…] LONG[…] AA. 2[…] BEE[…]
"You've made a sweet mess of it. After Marsh hears what you've done, this place'll be too hot for you——
"So, you'd better finish young Brandon the next chance you get———or he'll finish you."
"Mr. Marsh, my field notes will show you there is a shorter pass———and it's practical."
"By George! My old orderly, Sergeant Slattery!"
"Gin'ral, don't you remimber Corp'ral Casey———who stole that chicken fer yer dinner?"
Like a flash of gunpowder, rumors of a battle between Davy and Jesson spread through the town.
"Deroux's roundin' up his gang here——looks like they don't mean to give that game lad a chance for his life."
IN JUGS WHISKEY.2 LONG.GREEN 1.15 AA. 2.5$^¢$ A DRINK. BEER 5$^¢$
"I sent for you, Davy, because I heard there was to be a fight———promise me you won't have any trouble with Mr. Jesson."
"He has a right to his chance."
"But what about me?"
"I'm sorry, Miriam———I forgot you are engaged to Jesson."
"Can't you understand? It's not Jesson I love?"
"All right, dear——I promise——I give you my word I won't fight Jesson."
"Damn your cowardly soul——blaze away at him!"
"Mr. Jesson, I'm sorry I lost y temper today———
"We're both working for the success of the road———so let's forget everything else——
"—and shake hands."
"This here's a law an' order town——an' this fight's goin' to be conducted legal!"
"What is it———a fight?"
"Quick——quick—Brandon's killing Jesson—you're the only one who can stop him!"
"I couldn't help it, Miriam—I'm sorry—"
"David—you promised!"
"You promised me—and you've broken——your——word."
Personal bitterness is put aside.
Davy is made gang boss———and the road advances along the shorter route.
♩ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♩ ♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬
"Drill, ye terriers, drill— Drill, ye terriers, drill—
♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♩ ♩ ♬
𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝄾 ♬ ♬ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪
"Sure it's work all day, Without sugar in yer tay— When ye work for the U.P. Ra-a-ail-way.
♬ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♩ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬
♬ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♫
"Drill, ye paddies, drill, An' work an' shw-e-at—"
♩ ♩ ♩ ♩ ♬ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
"With those foreign laborers making trouble, we Americans must stick together."
A spectre from the past visits the great Cheyenne chief.
"Does my red brother remember me?"
Deroux tries desperately to halt work through the new pass by inciting the hostile Cheyennes to war.
"My brother, before many suns we shall stop the iron horse forever———"
Meanwhile the cattle herd nears the end of its long journey——with Cheyenne only a few miles away.
"My God, Pat! They've got Schultz!"
[U P R] R 317
$^{UP}$22$^{RR}$
"Pat, can you fire an engine?"
"I kin do anything!"
"Telegraph Major North to rush his Pawnee scouts to the end o' track!"
R. R. STATION.
"Indians at the end o' track!"
U P R R353
"Come on, boys—save your fellow-workmen———there's a gun here for every one of you!"
"Let 'em send soldiers!"
"You promise us the beef———we no get."
"Yer Saint Columbus found this country———but it's our Saint Patrick who has to make it go!"
"Here they come!"
"Here there are, boss———ten thousand head of 'em."
"Enough good beef to feed you all for a year!"
"If the damned shirkers won't get aboard, we'll stampede the herd———and drive 'em on the train!"
"Ye wanted beef did ye? Well, now, ye'll get hell!"
UPR351 R
"That's a sharpshooter close in!"
"Deroux!"
Like a sweeping wind, the Pawnee scouts rush to the rescue.
"TWO-FINGERS!"
BENTON SUPPLY STORE HARDWARE
"Don't be grievin' so, me lad———the young lady will be forgivin' ye one of these days."
"Pat, I'm going away———the Central Pacific needs men, and I think I'll trail west."
"Shure an' y'll have to take me along———ye'll be worth nawthing without me."
And the next day the stage for California is ready to start.
"Me an' Davy are leavin' for California to take charge of the C.P."
U P R R
"Was Dave Brandon on that coach?"
In distant California the Central Pacific track-layers make the mountains resound with their song:
♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♩ ♪ ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♩
"Drill, ye Chinymen, drill, Drill, ye haythens, drill—"
𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬
"Sure it's work all day, Without sugar in yer tay, When ye work for the Cay Pay Ra-a-ail-way.
♫♫ ♬ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬
♫ ♪ ♪ 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♬ 𝅘𝅥𝅯
"Drill, ye haythens, drill, An' work and shw-e-at."
♬ 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝄾 𝅘𝅥𝅯 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♪ ♫ ♫
After another year——over conquered prairie and through riven mountain——the great roads draw together.
THE TRACK-LAYING RACE!
The U.P. leads off by building four miles in one day.
The C.P. comes back with six.
Then the U.P. does eight.
At Promontory Point——the final hour when, in seven years less time than Congress allowed, the rails are to meet—1086 mile west of Omaha, 690 miles east of Sacramento.
A WORLD'S RECORD.
The Central Pacific finishes the race by laying ten miles between daylight and dark.
CP JUPITER RRJUPITER
UPRR
In the heart of one man there is no rivalry.
—to him the tracks will meet and the roads will be one—the transcontinental railroad.
"Davy!"
"Dinny!"
"Wurra, what a happy man Serg'nt Slattery would be to see this great day!"
"Me, I Irish now, too———I marry Nora Hogan!"
He stands alone that night and sees the consummation of his father's dream.
With his own hands he has driven the last spike——the buckle in the girdle of America.
The wedding of the rails—celebrated with joyous exultation in the uniting of East and West.
The afternoon of May 10,1869.
Note: The locomotives shown in the scene are the original Jupiter and #116.
116U P 11[6 R R]
JUPITER
Leland Stanford, President of the Central Pacific, greets Thomas C. Durant, Vice-President of the Union Pacific.
"You belong on this side, Davy."
"When they drive the golden spike we'll belong to both sides——and to each other."
California sends a golden spike to President Stanford.
As hammer falls on golden spike, the wire carries the sound to every telegraph office in the United States———
——and at Washington, President U.S. Grant receives the telegraphic message: ——D—O—N—E——
"His Truth is marching on."
The End
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
The longest-living author of this work died in 1973, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 50 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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