The Lost Special (1932)

Universal's 16th sound-era serial (following "The Jungle Mystery" and preceding "Clancy of the Mounted", both starring Tom Tyler) was based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story (loosely adapted), and opens with a special train carrying gold bullion from the Golconda Mine, that is stopped by henchmen, working secretly for Sam Slater (J. Frank Glendon), partner of Potter Hood (Francis Ford), in the mine ownership. The bandits lay down portable tracks and take the train off the main line, hide it in an abandoned mineshaft, steal the gold, and pick up their makeshift tracks, leaving a mystery in their wake. Potter's son Tom Hood (Frank Albertson), just home from college, determines to solve the mystery with the aid of his pal Bob Collins (football great Ernie Nevers.) They board the gold-shipment special train on its next run. Newspaper reporter Betty Moore (Cecilia Parker) and her friend Kate Bland (Caryl Lincoln) are in a car driving along a road that parallels the train tracks, when Bob is attacked by henchman Dirk (Tom London), and Dirk's revolver goes off during the fight, shattering Betty's car windshield, blinding her and sending her car toward the onrushing train, sending all participants directly into chapter two called "Roaring Death,"...which can be seen at this theatre next week.