The Great K & A Train Robbery

The Great K & A Train Robbery is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Lewis Seiler and starring Tom Mix and Dorothy Dwan. The film is based on the actual foiling of a train robbery by Dick Gordon as related by Paul Leicester Ford in his book The Great K & A Train Robbery originally published as a serial in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1896.

Plot

Following a series of robberies of the K & A Railroad, detective Tom Gordon is hired to uncover the mystery. Disguised as a bandit, Tom boards the train of K & A President Cullen. Cullen's daughter, Madge, senses that Tom is not a criminal and soon falls in love with him. Madge is sought after by Burton, her father's secretary, who is in league with the bandits. Tom eventually discovers his duplicity, and with the aid of Tony, his horse, rounds up the villains and wins the hand of Madge.

Cast

Tom Mix as Tom Gordon
Tony the Horse as Tony, Tom's Horse
Dorothy Dwan as Madge Cullen
Will Walling as Eugene Cullen
Harry Gripp as DeLuxe Harry
Carl Miller as Burton Holt
Edward Peil Sr. as Bill Tolfree
Curtis 'Snowball' McHenry as Snowball
Sammy Cohen as Man in upper berth of train

Future Western film icon John Wayne worked as a property assistant on the film and appeared as an extra.

Film locations

Much of the film was shot on location in and around Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The film is notable for its use of breathtaking locations including shots along the Colorado River. Local residents gathered every day for three weeks to watch Mix and his famous horse, Tony, perform their own stunts. Many locals were used as extras. Mix brought the fifty-five cast and crew members, along with his family, to Colorado in two Pullman train cars along with two special baggage cars.