Beyond the Law


58m 1934

Film Details

Also Known As
Railroad Detective
Genre
Adventure
Release Date
Jul 20, 1934
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Columbia Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
58m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6 reels

Synopsis

Ex-convict John Glenn is tried and convicted for the murder of a train guard during a robbery. The evidence of railroad detective Tim Weston and John's own refusal to testify leads to his death sentence. Glenn's daughter Helen seeks Tim's help in proving her father's innocence, telling him that John's previous sentence had been for the murder of his wife's admirer in a fit of jealousy. She also tells him that five years after his first murder conviction, John was trying to begin his life anew as a garage mechanic, when he was charged with murdering the train guard. Tim agrees to help Helen when she tells him that John refused to give testimony in order to protect her, and that John was on his way to meet her when the robbery occurred. After securing a temporary reprieve for John, Tim reopens the investigation by having Helen pose as cafe girl. At a cafe, Helen meets Morgan and Tully, two highly suspect railroad men with large bankrolls. Believing that they have found the actual culprits, Helen and Tim set a trap for them, but the gangsters elude them. With only one week remaining in Tim's reprieve, Helen tries again to trap Morgan and Tully, this time by feigning drunkenness and telling the men that there is a nearby train filled with money. When the gangsters attempt to rob the train, Tim shoots and kills Tully and captures Morgan. Tim's investigation then focuses on Gordon, the railroad superintendent, whose lawyer threatens him. Tim sets a trap for Gordon, and Gordon falls into it, proving his complicity in the crime. Gordon escapes, but is captured by Tim and Helen following a chase. After John is vindicated and freed, Tim and Helen go to Niagara Falls to be married.

Film Details

Also Known As
Railroad Detective
Genre
Adventure
Release Date
Jul 20, 1934
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Columbia Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
58m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6 reels

Quotes

Trivia

This film is presumed lost. Please check your attic.

Notes

The working title of this film was Railroad Detective.