Railroaded! is a 1947 American crime film noir directed by Anthony Mann starring John Ireland, Sheila Ryan, Hugh Beaumont and Jane Randolph.

It was loosely based on the real-life case of Majczek and Marcinkiewicz, the same case that inspired Call Northside 777 (1948).

Reception

Critical response

Monthly Film Bulletin said "The film offers no surprises, as the identity of the killer is revealed in the early sequences, and it relies for its chief interest on the efforts of Ferguson to identify and trap the criminal. The dramatic quality is well sustained."

Critic Roger Westcombe praised the film, writing, "It's a standard frame-up story, solidified through the strength of Mann's directing skills beyond the merits of the material. Preceding his now legendary teaming with cinematographer John Alton for the unbeatable run of Raw Deal, T-Men, Border Incident, and He Walked by Night, Railroaded! is still very dark but grim. The absence of Alton's breathtaking set-ups pedestrianises this effort into something merely heavy-handed. Mann's transitional work Desperate (1947), also pre-Alton, gained an edge of complexity through Raymond Burr's latent menace and a more nuanced study of human corruption than is found here. Yet for all these shortcomings Railroaded's tension is remarkably well maintained, primarily due to the acting of all the principals."

Film critic Dennis Schwartz, gave the film a mixed review, writing, "A second-rate crime thriller made before Anthony Mann (Desperate) reached prime time. Railroaded is a well-crafted and fast-paced mystery tale. It's a low-budget film noir that is held together by John Ireland's nasty performance as the heartless villain without redemption ... The plot was uninteresting and predictable, while the acting was so-so."

Leslie Halliwell said: "A new post-war toughness was evident in this sharply-made second feature."

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Anthony Mann brings a sure touch to this low-budget crime B-movie. Innocent youngster Ed Kelly is framed for murder by psychopathic professional John Ireland, whose penchant is spraying bullets with perfume before discharging them into his victims. Although formula stuff, it's taut, coolly violent and very tough, particularly in its treatment of female characters."

References

  • Railroaded! informational site and DVD review at DVD Beaver (includes images)