Trains have always been a wonderful source of inspiration for writers and film screenwriters, imagining stories and adventures arising inside, from the fabled Orient Express to the Siberian intermibable but we beat all during the 65 years of its existence was 20th Century Limited perfect backdrop for filming movies that became legendary the world's most famous train and a national institution American.
The New York Central Railroad put into service on June 17, 1902 the 20th Century Limited, to compete directly with the Pennsylvania Railroad that connected New York and Chicago with the Broadway Limited, but the 20th Century passed soon Limited both speed (100 kim / h), shortening the duration of the trip in about four hours, (traveled the 1,546 miles between the two cities in less than 16 hours), as well as its impressive luxury cars Pullman .
The 20th Century Limited had two fundamental redesign by Henry Dreyfuss engineer that took place in 1938 and 1948 completely changed the composition of the train, with more aerodynamic and powerful locomotives and wagons with more comfort and luxury for its glamorous passenger train being always trendsetter for other railway companies.
One of the changes introduced in 1938 was to place a red carpet whose length exceeds 100 meters, at the Grand Central Terminal in New York, which would walk the passengers had to climb to 20th Century Limited, the "red carpet treatment" was born, and as we all know this use of the red carpet would be extended to presentations and film awards.
But the contribution to cinema of the 20th Century Limited was not confined to the red carpet, but its role on the big screen when he rolled in several films; Twentieth Century Howard Hawks (1934) , Broadway Melodies 1955 by Vincente Minnelli (1953) , but above all, two of the most memorable scenes that the film has given us throughout history ;
The "casual" encounter between Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) and Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) for dinner at the Century Club restaurant with views of the Hudson River behind him. A scene from the film master With the death on the heels who led Alfred Hitchcock in 1959, where the humor, irony and cynicism are intertwined in the inimitable scene film.
Eve: What makes you think you have to conceal it?
Roger: She might find the idea objectionable.
Eve: Then again, she might not.
Roger: Think how lucky I am to have been seated here.
Eve: (ironically) Well, luck had nothing to do with it.
Roger: Fate?
Eve: I tipped the steward $5 dollars to seat you here if you should come in.
Roger: Is that a proposition?
Eve: I never discuss love on an empty stomach.
Roger: You’ve already eaten.
Eve: But you haven’t.
Eve: I’m Eve Kendall. I’m twenty-six and unmarried. Now you know everything.
Roger: Tell me. What do you do besides lure men to their doom on the Twentieth Century Limited?
Eve: I’m an industrial designer.
Roger: Jack Phillips. Western sales manager for Kingby Electronics.
Eve: No, you’re not. You’re Roger Thornhill of Madison Avenue, and you’re wanted for murder on every front page in America, and don’t be so modest.
Roger: Whoops!
Eve: Oh, don’t worry, I won’t say a word.
Roger: How come?
Eve: I told you. It’s a nice face.
Roger: Is that the only reason?
Eve: It’s going to be a long night.
Roger: True.
Eve: And I don’t particularly like the book I’ve started.
Roger: Ahhh.
Eve: You know what I mean?
Roger: Uh, let I think. Yes, I know Exactly what you mean ... "
And of course the famous poker game film The Sting (1973) between Henry "Shaw" Gondorff (Paul Newman) and Doyle Lonnegan Chicago gangster (Robert Shaw), where the 20th Century Limited becomes the perfect place to take the "bait."
the late 50's the train goes into decline, the businessmen, they leave the plane, the line comes in losses and the company are obliged to add more cheap seats less exclusive cars for less affluent groups. Part of luxury and glamor is lost in these years. The Century made his last journey on December 2, 1967, however, thanks to the movies we will continue to enjoy and remember as the world's most famous train.
Photos: www.newyorksocialdiary.com
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