The Iron Horse (1924)

Abraham Lincoln (Charles Edward Bull) authorizes the ambitious construction of a railway system that will connect the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways. But the historic project is fraught with peril from deception and betrayal to hostile Cheyenne Indians. Directed by John Ford (his first major film), this is a genuine epic western that displays Ford's affection for the American West as well as his propensity to mythologize it, his eye for landscapes (filmed in California and Nevada) as well as his flaws. Notably, his tendency toward inserting inane humor into what is essentially a dramatic story which slows the movie up. Ford whips up an exciting attack by Cheyenne Indians on the railway workers that's quite thrilling. The leading protagonist is played the immensely appealing George O'Brien (SUNRISE). Unfortunately, he's saddled with a leading lady (Madge Bellamy) whose prissy character is unpleasant. I much preferred the secondary leading lady (Gladys Hulette) whose feisty saloon gal is more appealing. There does seem to be a slight (unintended) xenophobic attitude toward the "foreign" railroad workers (Italians and Chinese) who are referred to as troublemakers. The transfer I saw had a wonderful underscore by Christopher Caliendo. With Cyril Chadwick, Fred Kohler and George Waggner (who would go on direct horror films at Universal) as Buffalo Bill.