Hi,
I only mentioned that film as I can see how the train acts metonymically for the race against time (to find the missing woman, to get home), and as an entrapment within the confines of this enforced journey. The same really as most other murder plots in which trains are involved - Orient Express.
The Lady Vanishes was remade in 1979 ("you mean that crazy woman with the fabulous body and no bra is actually telling the truth") and as The Silver Streak a year or so earlier. Both fairly underrated comedies, probably overshadowed by their forbear. I think Silver Streak could be a remake of another Silver Streak. The principle is the same throughout. Basically any murder plot in which the notion of 'heading for disaster' is played out can make metonymic use of a train - Throw Momma from the Train yadda yadda.
Strange how these fripperies are ignored in worthy discussions. From Russia With Love got a mention, but why not Live and Let Die, Spy Who Loved Me...
Midnight Run, of course, is far too much of a blockbuster for these discussions.
No one has mentioned Runaway Train or Clockers, for which trains are metaphoric of freedom as well as captivity.
I can hear barrels being scraped.
Damian
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Frank [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Mon 17/05/2004 22:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: Trains as the symbol of modernity
damian offers that trains
> are likely to be used . . . metonymically [as in] The Lady Vanishes
and the idea is very intriguing, but i'm not sure exactly what he means . . .
a little elaboration on how the train functions metonymically in that
film would be very welcome
m
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