Lady on a Train offers a change of pace for actress Deanna Durbin. A mystery story played with adequate elements of comedy, suspense and music. Miss Durbin plays a small-town girl visiting New York and as her train pulls into the station, looking out of her window she witnesses a man being bludgeoned. The police are notified but dismiss her story as the product of an overactive imagination. Amazingly she is able to acquire the help of a mystery writer ( David Bruce ) who helps her piece together the complicated facts of the mysterious murder. When this picture was made film noir was in full swing, and this story cleverly uses a screwball comedy approach that is most suitable for the lovely, young Deanna Durbin. The story of course allows the star most popular for her amazing singing ability to delight audiences with the songs " Silent Night " and a most sultry rendition of " Night and Day." There is also a good amount of suspense focused on the shady murder mystery, which involves a series of strange suspects and some very interesting ulterior motives. The film has an impressive assortment of actors of the time including, Ralph Bellamy, Dan Duryea, Edward Everett Horton, Allen Jenkins, Patricia Morison, and William Frawley all help to keep the story moving at a good pace. Although the film seems dated now, it's still worth a curious look at the talented Deanna Durbin who charms with a very sexy close-up to end the film.
Review of Lady on a Train
