Union Pacific released in 1939 starring Barbara Stanwyck with Joel McCrea, Brian Donlev and Robert Preston. A railroad agent (McCrea) faces treachery from an old friend (Preston) as he struggles to ensure the completion of the Union Pacific. Both McCrea and Preston have set their sights on Stanwyck, the Postmistress for the railroad.
It was directed by Cecile B. DeMille so naturally you can expect a big production. Union Pacific loaned four 1860's period locomotives to the production along with 37 railcars. The production also laid 6 miles of railroad track which meant they owned their own railroad. As such, the production company was granted a Regulation Railroad Operating License from the Interstate Commerce Commission.
I enjoyed the movie. It does seem to get lost when you mention all of the other great movies released, in arguably the greatest movie year ever, 1939. This movie has it all fake Irish accents, good guys, bad, guys, Indians, and comic relief sidekicks.
Stand By for Action released in 1942 starring Robert Taylor with Charles Laughton, Brian Donlevy and Walter Brennan. An Ivy League reservist (Taylor) and a bootstrap veteran (Donlevy) save the convoy of an admiral (Laughton) during World War Two.
Though not a comedy this is a light-hearted war film. It has its light moments rescuing a boatload of women and children. Plus Laughton pays an affable admiral while trying to be stern and serious has some quite funny lines to say. A typical hero-in-the-end movie. It is worth the watch just for Laughton's performance.