WHISPERING SMITH
DIRECTED BY LESLIE FENTON
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
INFORMATION FROM IMDb
Plot Summary
Smith as an iron-willed railroad detective.
When his friend Murray is fired from the railroad and begins helping Rebstock wreck trains,
Smith must go after him. He also seems to have an interest in Murray's wife (and vice versa).
Written by Ed Stephan
Cast
Alan Ladd ... Whispering Smith
Robert Preston ... Murray Sinclair
Brenda Marshall ... Marian Sinclair
Donald Crisp ... Barney Rebstock
William Demarest ... Bill Dansing
Fay Holden ... Emmy Dansing
Murvyn Vye ... Barton
Frank Faylen ... Whitey Du Sang
John Eldredge ... George McCloud
Ward Wood ... Leroy Barton (as Robert Wood)
J. Farrell MacDonald ... Bill Baggs
Will Wright ... Sheriff McSwiggin
Don Barclay ... Dr. Sawbuck
Eddy Waller ... Conductor (as Eddy C. Waller)
Ashley Cowan ... Train Brakeman
Jimmie Dundee ... Karg
Ray Teal ... Seagrue
Bob Kortman ... Gabby Barton
Danny Borzage ... Accordianist (uncredited)
Hank Worden ... Murray's Ranchhand (uncredited)
and many more...
Directed
Leslie Fenton
Writing Credits
Frank Butler ... (screenplay) and
Karl Kamb ... (screenplay)
Frank H. Spearman ... (novel)
Produced
Mel Epstein ... associate producer
Music
Adolph Deutsch
Cinematography
Ray Rennahan
Trivia
The railhead town site was constructed on the Paramount lot adjacent to the neighboring RKO Pictures studio. It became the basis for what would go on to become Paramount's famous western town set as seen in TV's Bonanza (1959) and numerous other TV shows and movies. Prior to 1948, Paramount didn't have a western set on its studio lot. A short line of track was laid down that allowed a working period locomotive to pull into town.
"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on September 16, 1949 with Alan Ladd reprising his film role.
One of over 700 Paramount productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since. It was first telecast in Philadelphia Saturday 3 October 1959 on WCAU (Channel 10), in Chicago 20 November 1959 on WBBM (Channel 2), and in Johnstown 9 December 1959 on WJAC (Channel 6). At this time, color broadcasting was in its infancy, limited to only a small number of high rated programs, primarily on NBC and NBC affiliated stations, so most vintage film showings were still in B&W. Viewers were not offered the opportunity to see these films in their original Technicolor until several years later. It was released on DVD 12 March 2013 as part of Universal's Classic Westerns Collection, and since that time, has also enjoyed airings on both Turner Classic Movies and the Western Channel.
Goofs
Continuity
Just after 23 minutes into the film, Whispering Smith is given a harmonica, the box of which he drops to the ground, only to have it immediately reappear in his hand.
When Murray punches Luke, he falls sideways off the chair. However, in the shot of Luke landing on the floor, he lands on his back.
When Luke gets punched in the face and begins to fall, the chair starts to tip to the side. However, it is standing upright in the next shot.
When Luke Smith is pouring coffee for Bill Dansing in front of the Boarding House, one instant he is pouring coffee into Bill's cup and the next he is pouring coffee into his own cup.
About 7 or 8 minutes into the movie Alan Ladd is reading a telegram that had been crumpled. Then it cuts to a slightly farther shot and everything is still in about the same position but now the telegram has not been crumpled.
Crew or equipment visible
When Smith shoots his horse, the shadow of the dollying camera can be seen crossing his arm.
Filming Locations
Sierra Railroad, Jamestown, California, USA
Paramount Ranch - 2813 Cornell Road, Agoura, California, USA
Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
California, USA