Sleeping Car to Trieste
Date: 1948
Director: John Paddy Carstairs
Production Company: Two Cities Films, George H. Brown Productions
Stars: Jean Kent, Albert Lieven, Derrick De Marney, Paul Dupuis, Rona Anderson, David Tomlinson, Bonar Colleano, Finlay Currie, Grégoire Asian, Alan Wheatley, David Hutcheson, Claude Larue, Zena Marshall, Leslie Weston, Michael, Ward, Eugene Deckers, Dino Galvani
Location(s): France
Region(s): France
Storyline:
The setting is almost entirely on a train travelling between Paris and Trieste after World War II. A diary is stolen from the safe of an embassy in Paris by a couple while they are guests at a reception there, killing a servant who walks in on the robbery. An accomplice, is carrying the diary, but he double-crosses the couple and attempts to escape with it on the Simplon-Orient-Express, but just in time, the couple board the train.
They start looking for the accomplice, who seeks to conceal himself and the diary but the diary passes through the hands of several people while the police investigate his mysterious death.
Additional Information:
Screen captures and text uploaded by Richard Lovejoy.
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- Capture 1
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The initial location of the film is established. Arc de Triomphe, Paris possibly looking South East
- Capture 2
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After witnessing a diary being stolen from a safe and a man being shot by Zurta (Albert Lieven) we cut to Karl Poole (Alan Wheatley) on the rear terrace of the property to whom the diary is thrown. A studio set for completeness.
- Capture 3
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Zurta and his accomplice Valya (Jean Kent) meet up and leave what is an Embassy reception party. The car they are seen to leave in is not that appearing here and in the next two captures from a stock sequence. Quai de la Tournelle before turning onto Pont de l’Archevêché. The location and this film sequence is also seen in ‘The Missing Man’ and ‘The Great Van Robbery’, brought to our attention by Bob Miller.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Notre-Dame seen from the start of Pont de l’Archevêché looking NNW. Also seen in ‘The Missing Man’ and ‘The Great Van Robbery’
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Zurta has Valya dropped off at her home to meet again the following morning to board the 'Simplon-Orient-Express'. Rue de la Huchette 75005, Paris. The location and this film sequence is also seen in ‘The Missing Man’ and ‘The Great Van Robbery’, brought to our attention by Bob Miller.
- Capture 6
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The following morning we watch the gathering passengers for the 'Simplon-Orient-Express'. This appears to be The Gare de Lyon, Pl. Louis Armand, 75012, Paris
- Capture 7
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There follows what appears to be a studio set of the station and the arrival of fellow cast passengers. Here Valya and Zurta about to board the train. A studio set for completeness.
- Capture 8
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The train leaves the platform. Does that “30.A. “ help to identify the locomotive? Is it leaving Gare de Lyon?
- Capture 9
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As the story develops the passage of the journey is told by a passing express train hauled by a 4-8-2 engine. This sequence is also seen in 'The Missing Man".
- Capture 10
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The train supposedly pulls into the films Dijon station. It looks as if the engine has a “40” at the end of its number. Unknown location.
- Capture 11
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It later passes over an impressive unidentified viaduct. A much longer train than that seen in Capture 9. Manuel Gurtner advises that this is actually reused stock or second unit footage from "Rome Express" (1932) with one of the mighty Mountain 4-8-2 type tender locos of 241.A class, specially designed by the Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée (PLM) for the long climb Côte-d'Or section with the Blaisy-Bas summit between Laroche and Dijon. An ordinary south bound express train is crossing the Viaduc du Neuvon, dating from 1849 with a length of 236 m, located near Plombières-lès-Dijon.
- Capture 12
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Before passing through Aisy-sur-Armançon station in the Bourgogne region. The station would now appear to be out of use.
- Capture 13
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After a stop for Customs at a studio Domodossola station (Italy) the train passes, non stop, another what looks like a French station.
- Capture 14
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We see a very different engine haul a train into railway terminus Venezia Santa Lucia for the Italian police to board the train following the murder of Mr Poole. Further to the location identifcation Manuel advises that in the background the cupola of Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo is visible, located at the Canal Grande, and on the right in the distance the Campanile of Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari can be recognized.
- Capture 15
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Without a spoiler, the train slowly takes a bend in the rails. Further detail from Manuel "By the way, since Cervignano the 'Simplon-Orient Express' is hauled by en FS electric loco under 3000 Volt DC catenary, just passing the marshalling yard Trieste Centrale Scalo."
- Capture 16
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Before drawing to a stop at its destination, Trieste. Given Capture 15 Manuel Gurtner confirms that this is Trieste Centrale.
- Capture 17
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The disembarkation and parting of the various characters is seen in studio activity included for continuity purposes.