I have been on vacation and have been watching Emperor of the North. Now I have seen it before many times as I am sure you all have, but on net-flix, it allows me to watch it repeatedly. My sons are 13, 7, and 5. They all loved the movie. What is interesting is this. The movie wants the viewer to take the side of Lee marvin, (A-1) however, my son made some interesting observations. Shaq, Ernest B. (Sp?) was a very loyal RR man doing his job. As I watch it more and more, I have to admit, I am a Shaq fan. So what are you? Shaq or A-1? Of course some of you might say "old cigarette" he was amusing.
Sure, Shack was just doing his job, but I also got the impression that he enjoyed murdering people. Like when he clubs homeless people so that they fall underneath the wheels. Or that coupler pin on a rope that he drops under the train while in motion to dislodge old cigarette from the undercarriage.Thats probably not the first time he used that tool. The use of said tool gets A#1 to trip the breaks, which causes the brakeman to die. Who's fault was that? The true moral of the story is the one not expressed in the move. Just buy a ticket. It probably cost $2.50 in that era for a ticket. I'll side with A#1. Petty theft, although wrong, is better than murdering psycho. Even at the end, A#1 tosses Shack off the train rather than kill him. A curtsy Shack doesn't afford to to those who ride his train.
A-1 was doing something he should not have been. It was a game for him. But Shack was to and far past the point of cruelty in doing his job. Seemed like a sort of sick sadistic pleasure derived. So I have trouble looking at him in a good light.
Classic Jerry! But it does make a person think when and if breaking the rules is justified. You have to like it when Lee marvin makes the cop bark like a dog because his turkey thinks he is a dog. Haaa!
Perhaps he did, but A-1 didn't seem too concerned about those passengers when he through the switch early in the movie. Love the quote, "sounds like a ghost story" when Shaq told him the trains were gonna collide head on. It was a neat mental war between the two. Funny thing is I think the writers of the movie let A-1 throw Shaq off instead of killing him because the train arriving without him would be more of an ego blow to Shaq, than the train arriving with him dead.
I am a shack kind of guy myself. I am going nuts trying to find this movie in Germany. I know the German title, just have to try and get it ordered.
View attachment 41828 I am a shack kind of guy myself. I am going nuts trying to find this movie in Germany. I know the German title, just have to try and get it ordered.
First, it is A-No.-1 for Lee Marvin's character. Second Shack is how Borgnine's character is spelled. Third, Cigaret is the proper spelling not Cigarette. I will take A-No.-1 over the sadistic Shack anyday. Being famous in their respective lines of work made each character want to be the best. While Marvin was not angel, Shack was purely bad. Jim
What I lack in spelling I make up for in personality. (at least my wife thinks so! ) I do think it is a great movie for people to watch and consider, plus the trains are fantastic!
We gotta have fun Jim. And you need to get back into some Z! I always looked forward to your improved layouts. Perhaps the Z mikado from AZL might be a draw for you?
Thanks Joe, Don't tell anyone, but there may be something in the works. And yes, it would be steam. Jim:tb-biggrin:
Good to hear Jim. N scale is great because just about everything is out there. (of course the N guys think the HO guys got it all) However, when steam runs well in Z it is such an amazing site. You and I both know quality steam that is affordable could be the golden egg in Z. I think AZL's mikado will jump start many people into Z.
Joe, When this loco shows up it should greatly expand modeling posssiblities in Z. I still think there is a need for a Mogul and Pacific as well. N is pretty well represented. Biggest stumbling block there is the no-show Atlas Shay that is 3 years over due in promised delivery. Other than that N steam is pretty well represented. Don't know much about HO, but I do know they have Heislers, Shays, saddlebacks, and Climaxes galore. Wish I had more room for those babies. Jim
