Subway Express (1931) is a weirdly claustrophobic mystery that actually works

Is it worth the ride?

You should probably watch this if you like those old 'trapped in a room' mysteries. It’s perfect for a rainy Sunday when you don't want to think too hard but want to feel like you’re solving something.

If you hate slow movies where people talk over each other in grainy audio, you’ll probably want to skip it. It’s very much a product of 1931.

The whole thing happens on a subway. A moving subway. Well, it’s a set, but they do a great job making it feel like it’s shaking.

Jack Holt plays the main guy, Inspector Killany. He’s got that very loud, very certain way of talking that detectives in 1931 always had. He doesn't just ask questions, he announces them to the room.

The plot is simple. A guy dies. The train stops. Nobody is allowed off. Then it happens again, sort of.

I kept looking at the people in the background. Some of them look genuinely bored, which is exactly how people look on a train. It’s the most realistic part of the movie.

There is this one scene where a guy tries to sneak out the door while the inspector isn't looking. The way the camera catches him is actually pretty slick for a movie this old.

It’s not quite Ghost Parade levels of weird, but it has its moments. The lights go out a lot. Every time the lights go out, you know something bad is coming.

It’s a bit predictable, but it works. I noticed the hats. Everyone is wearing a hat.

How did people live like that? You can't even see the person sitting behind you in the frame.

The script was written by Earle Snell and a couple of others. You can tell it was probably a play first. It feels very contained.

Almost like A Doll's House but with more handcuffs and less crying. One thing that bothered me was the sound quality.

It’s 1931, so the microphones were probably the size of a toaster. You can hear this constant hum in the background.

It might be the train noise, or it might just be the old film tape. Either way, it adds to the 'trapped' feeling of the car.

There’s a guy in the corner who looks a bit like the lead from The Abysmal Brute, but I don't think it's him. Just that generic 30s mustache look.

The mystery itself isn't that hard to figure out if you pay attention to the bags. Watch the bags. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Subway Express (1931) through its definitive frames.

I liked the ending, even if it felt a bit rushed. The inspector just sort of points at someone and says 'It’s you!' and that’s that.

We don't get a big 20-minute explanation. It’s a short movie, only about an hour. That’s the best part about these old flicks.

They don't overstay their welcome. If you’re looking for something heavy like Tragédia de Amor, this isn't it.

This is much more of a 'popcorn' movie for the 1930s crowd. Anyway, it’s worth a look, especially for the set design.

They really nailed the subway vibe. One reaction shot of a lady in a fur coat lingers for like five seconds too long. I think she forgot she was being filmed for a second. 😂

The way the conductor keeps yelling the stops is my favorite part. It gives the movie a heartbeat.

I wonder if they used real subway tracks for the sound effects. Probably not. It sounds more like someone shaking a sheet of metal in a studio.

It reminded me slightly of A Town Full of Light in how it uses a single location to build tension. Though this is much more of a straight-up thriller.

Check it out if you find it on a streaming service for free. It’s a good 'background' movie while you’re doing something else, but it’s cool enough to actually watch too.

The cast is huge. So many names. I didn't recognize half of them. Sidney Bracey, Lillian Leighton... they all do fine.

Nobody stands out too much, which is actually good for a whodunit. You don't want the killer to be obvious just because they are the only famous person.

The writing is sharp enough. It’s not Shakespeare, but it keeps the ball rolling.

Martha Madison and Eva Kay Flint did a good job keeping the suspects moving. I think I saw a continuity error with a cigarette, but honestly, who cares.

It’s 1931. They were just happy the camera was working. 🚂

Final thought: I wish modern movies were this short. 60 minutes and out. Perfect.

It’s much more urban than something like Alice on the Farm. Just pure city grit in a studio lot.

• The flickering lights are a bit much.
• Jack Holt has great posture.
• The ending is a bit of a scramble.

I'd give it a solid 'B' if we were doing grades. It’s just fun.