MovieChat Forums > Go West (1940) Discussion > Does anyone know how Harpo did his amazi...

Does anyone know how Harpo did his amazing stunt in this film?

posted 13 years ago by steveicm
6 replies | jump to latest

Harpo did an amazing stunt in this film ! It's the part where the barn house is stuck on the front of a moving train. Harpo realizes he is stuck dead in front of it ! Harpo simply opens the front door (as the train passes) then closes the back door. He was left standing completely unscathed. It was so slick and incredible! I have no idea how they did that stunt ! Especially back in the 1940's ! Does anyone know where I can find out more ?!?

I'm a Cinemajunkie !

[–] gribfritz2 12 years ago

Sped up film. It's not hard to open the door and pop in and out when the train is moving 1 mile an hour.

[–] pt100 11 years ago

Yeah, much less dangerous than that classic scene in Steamboat Bill Jr., where Buster Keaton stands just outside an open window and then the whole side of the building falls down around him, and he's still standing in the open window that is now on the ground. That latter scene was filmed in real time, and you can see all the dirt and dust blown up as the wall collapses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsyRhRR5Iu4

[–] gribfritz2 11 years ago

I just watched that last week! The whole ending was great. The falling facade, the house landing on him, the flying tree.

[–] pt100 11 years ago

Yes, actors back then sometimes had to endure some really dangerous, scary situations. For example, in 'Way Down East' (starring Richard Barthelmess and Lillian Gish) those scenes on the river ice floes were real. There were no special effects. He was actually carrying her and jumping from one piece of floating ice to another. They were both really nervous about doing it, but it worked out.

[–] porfle 9 years ago

Also, the Marx Bros. had stunt men doing all the dangerous stuff for them. Buster Keaton didn't.

[–] www1125 9 years ago

True, though Harpo did a lot of his own stunts as well, so who knows?