CIRCUS TRAIN WRECK FROM BEST PICTURE 1952

Clip from Cecil B. Demille's classic, The Greatest Show on Earth (MGM), Academy Award winner for Best Pic. The two robbers here are employees of the circus, the animal trainer and a crooked midway tough, who are attempting to add to their early retirement benefits package at the expense of the other circus people and their backers.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• The Greatest Show On Earth
• Cecile B. Demille
• Charleton Heston
• Cornel Wilde
• Betty Hutton
• Circus train
• Derailment

[Exec3549]

Although a theatrical production of such a wreck, it is very realistic and technically accurate.

I work in the railroad industry, and investigate collisions and derailments. Some of the modern signal systems employed today, prevent this type of accident. Fortunately, because of the solid structures of American passenger cars, survival rates, even in catastrophic collisions like this result in minimal casualties, usually less than 5% aboard .

[sorryosaurusrex]

WOW!!! TOTALLY AWESOME at 2:39! Except for two things. Number 1: They could have used an explosion. Number 2: It's foolish to drive a car towards an oncoming train.

[thegreengoliath]

I wonder if this scene inspired the scene from Super 8

[jagerfaust2009]

@TheImpersonator100 Re the "Engine" Its hard to pick the wheel arrangement on this clip but a clearer vision (DVD) would reveal the type.. I'll have a look at the film again (if I can find it in the spare room) Cheers....

[jagerfaust2009]

@TheImpersonator100 The coaches have mixed histories including converted ex US Army Hospital cars. Type or paste the following to your search engine. PASSENGER CAR PHOTO INDEX - RINGLING BROS. and BARNUM. This will give you all the information you need on their heritage as well as photos.

Hope this helps...jager

[junkdeal]

It seems they use railroad jargon correctly in the movie. The fireman on the second engine sounds like he yells out "First section! Big-hole it!" when he sees the caboose. Big hole is the term for emergency stop, or in other words, the biggest hole in the valving in the brake stand. If that's what he said, anyway.

[TheImpersonator100]

Anyone know what type of Engine that is?

[TheImpersonator100]

Ok for those Model train fans out there this would really help me. Um the Second Section's Coaches. I've seen many model circus trains with that type of coach what are they called?

[kirko1954]

This movie was made at Paramount, not MGM.

[kirko1954]

My favorite special effects sequence from the entire history of cinema. Who needs computers???!!!

[RedUncle]

this is so insanely awesome!

[fairportfan2]

@fairportfan2 - a few further words - take a folding carpenter's rule, put the end against a wall and push on it. Won't break the segments because it'll fold at the joints.

Also, note "Exec3549" says "Although a theatrical production of such a wreck, it is very realistic and technically accurate." and "Fortunately, because of the solid structures of American passenger cars, survival rates, even in catastrophic collisions like this result in minimal casualties, usually less than 5% aboard ."