By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The acting in this movie is really good.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Like a number of others here with their comments about Arthur Askey and his portrayal of Tommy Gander being obnoxious and in some cases stealing the show, I had the same thoughts when I first saw the film. I have seen a number of his films and have enjoyed them, particularly with "Stinker" Murdock as his side kick, but I at first glance in watching The Ghost Train, it was just Arthur Askey playing Arthur Askey. This all changed recently when I happened to purchase a copy of the original 1923 stage script to find that Askey's Tommy Gander, in the script, Teddie Deakin, was a very unlikable and obnoxious character, much like the way Askey played it. After watching the film again while following the stage script, I found that Askey had actually nailed the character quite faithfully. Some parts missing from the stage script, and rightly so, was Gander stopping the train and retrieving his hat, and the corridor scene with Murdock and the woman in the compartment, I felt that it did nothing for the movement of the story. The stage script starts with the characters entering the waiting room at the station.

This film version of the play "The Ghost Train" remains the only one that exists in the archives. The foreign version from 1927 is completely missing and the British one from 1931 is incomplete. Arthur Askey had become a household name in British comedy (as strange as that may seem) by 1941 and the above film was the last time he would be teamed with Richard Murdoch. On their own merits, they functioned tolerably at their best and "The Ghost Train" was a pretty good one to finish on. There is no need in my describing the plot as it is certainly well known amongst the fans of Arthur Askey and those who enjoy British comedy from this period. I recall seeing this film back in 1987 on a late night broadcast. Upon viewing the recording in the morning, my late father and I watched "The Ghost Train" together. We both agreed that Askey's brand of humour was of a somewhat acquired taste. The main problem with this 1941 adaptation, is that the sense of mystery and intrigue has been greatly diluted. This has resulted from the leading character having been divided into two separate people and it was an ill-advised decision by someone at "Gainsborough" studios. With a film that originates from the theatre, the cast tend to be rather sparse and that each of them tend to have about the same portion of screen time. Alas, that is where the film suffers. It wasn't a wise move in Askey being cast as a vaudeville entertainer because he has no character to play and he goes over the top in his attempts to be funny. For the most part, he is cringeworthy. Most of the cast are a pretty dull bunch and the acting reflects this. There seems to be a decided lack of vitality amongst the majority of the actors, no imagination to speak of. It is no wonder that most of the cast have faded into total obscurity not long after the film was released. Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch are ok, at least they can function as one. Only Kathleen Harrison and Raymond Huntley stand out from the rest. The former is very funny as the highly strung spinster and has some marvellous dialogue to work with. The latter is highly effective during the film's more serious second half. The production values on the whole are very good. With the main set being the railway station waiting room, plus the other smaller ones, I can envision that life once existed in the place before being abandoned. The sets representing the platform and the railway line are also of a high quality. There is certainly a strong atmosphere with this version of "The Ghost Train" and it is a mixture of humour and of suspense. I can't completely dismiss this film as it was one of the first British comedies I ever saw.

With help from a capable supporting cast, comic Askey carries this show very well.For some reason, it is listed on u tube under "Horror" and "scary", probably as a joke, because this is vaudeville comedy with a "haunted background".A group of characters are isolated at a train station where a "ghost train" is coming.We're never given any real "lead" characters. In fact, the most interesting thing about this film is the equality involved.1941 saw fewer prima donas, or at least room for everyone in many b movies. Here, Askey plays a comic named Gander, who is a cross between Groucho Marx and Erkel.He is very entertaining, too. I certainly wasn't around in those days, and he made me laugh, because vaudeville is usually about 15% up to date political commentary and 85% slapstick physical comedy.And most good comedy is at least 75% slapstick, and won't depend on the squawk of the year. Thus, it won't be "dated".Askey is certainly more amusing than 80% of the comedians we see in movies today. He isn't afraid to degrade himself for a laugh, and that's the key. Today's alleged comics are bred form local programs for the most part, and are really rich kids who would never debase themselves in any way.The story line here is weak, but that's okay, because it's just a farce. The real story here is "amusing the audience", and this the cast achieves.

Above is a quote from this film and it very aptly sums up this film! The comment is made to Arthur Askey's character and I wanted to see him either be quiet or die in this film--either would have made me ecstatic. His character, to put it very bluntly, was the most annoying person I've seen in a film for perhaps the last year--and I watch A LOT of movies!! The film begins aboard a British train during WWII. The train's progress is halted by a selfish and sub-human jerk (Askey) who pulls the emergency stop cord because his hat fell out the window. While this is clearly a criminal offense, he is indifferent to the anger of the crew and runs about annoying people repeatedly--in particular a huge cricket player who wanted to kill Askey (oh, why, why DIDN'T he?!). Later, when a group of travelers gets to their stop, they find they are stranded and they missed the connecting train--thanks to Askey's stunt. And, Askey isn't the least bit repentant or sorry and continues to make a total nuisance of himself. I really, really, really wanted him to just shut up, as this boorish character would not let up for a second--pushing the rest of the group (as well as the audience) past all human endurance. By this point in the film, I was so fed up with him I really could not enjoy the movie and mentally turned it off...though I did continue watching. Sure, there was a plot about a ghost train that began almost half-way into the film, but I honestly didn't care at all any more and just wanted it to end.I understand that Askey was a bit of an institution in the UK (on stage, TV and in movies)--and was apparently quite beloved. Well, as an American I am not familiar with him and perhaps he was a great comedian after all. However, he is simply a grating comedian in "The Ghost Train". He was bold and cheeky like Groucho Marx but without charm or humor. While the rest of the actors tried, they simply couldn't get noticed because Askey behaved like a spoiled and obnoxious child who insists on entertaining his parents' party guests. Don't this film unless you as a masochist.