If you can ride Shack's train and live, you will be Emperor of the North

Starring: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine, Charles Tyner, Malcolm Aterbury, Simon Oakland, Harry Caesar, Hal Baylor, Matt Clark, Elisha Cook Jr., Diane Dye, Robert Foulk

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You ain't stopping at this hotel, kid. My hotel! The stars at night, I put 'em there. And I know the presidents, all of them. And I go where I damn well please." - A-No.-1

Why watch this? Hobos during the Great Depression. Hitchin' Trains. Sledge hammers and chains.

Plot Summary: During the Depression, homeless men, aka hobos (also referred to as "Bos" in the film) would often travel by freight train on the Oregon-Pacific-Eastern (OPE) Railroad. On engine No. 19, a ruthless conductor, called Shack, does anything necessary to kick these vagrants off his trail (including murder). One seasoned veteran hobo, called A-No.-1 (and known as the "King of the Bo's"), decides to ride the dangerous No. 19 all the way to Portland, mostly to show up a kid, called "Cigaret", who brags too much.

Dad's Preview: Through many exciting close calls, this suspenseful action flick leads us to the obvious showdown between Shack and A-No.-1. Shot in the beautiful mountains of the Pacific Northwest, much of plot focuses on the plight of these poor, out-of-work bums, who are just trying to make it through each brutal day. As expected this film is carried by its two exceptional lead actors: the cool, wise Lee Marvin as A-No.-1 and the hot-tempered, violent Ernest Borgnine, whose villainous portrayal of Shack leaves viewers eagerly expecting his comeuppance. If you dare, take my brother's recommendation, and hop aboard for some high adventure.

Inter-Hemisphere; 20th Century Fox