Red Signals (1927)

The ubiquitous J. P. McGowan warmed the director's chair for Red Signals. Though onetime matinee idol Earle Williams is starred, the film's real protagonist is Wallace McDonald, cast as a dishevelled hobo. When a series of train wrecks occur, railroad superintendent Williams is held responsible, but the real culprit is a crooked foreman who lusts after Williams' job. All of this is proven in due time by the superintendent's indigent brother McDonald -- who turns out to be a railroad detective in disguise. Some laughs are provided by Billy Franey and Frank Rice, usually cast as cowboy sidekicks but here playing McDonald's hobo companions. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi