The Bridge of Danger (1916)

• 69%
• 1916
• Thriller
• J. Gunnis Davis
• Helen Gibson
• Roy Watson
• George A. Williams

The new superintendent is an apostle of Efficiency. His first order on taking the post eliminates the men whom he terms old, which costs "Pop" Bates his job as Helen's relief operator. His next declaration is that active railroad work is no place for women, and Helen is also dropped from the service. While Helen is breaking the news to Bob Bates, the new superintendent is hustling about the road yard speeding up the work. "Put more snap into your switching," he tells the men. A minute later, while he is making an inspection inside a boxcar with defective air brakes, a switching engine rams the car. The force of the impact, heightened by the recent orders, throws the superintendent to the floor stunned, and starts the car on the down grade. In the few moments it is speeding along the road and there is consternation among the men for a washout down the road means that it is headed to certain destruction. Helen prevails on Bob to set out in pursuit in his engine on the parallel track for a daring plan has suggested itself to her. After a thrilling pursuit they arrive alongside the boxcar and Helen throws a lasso over the brake beam. Climbing out from the cab she then goes hand over hand to the boxcar. There is a tense struggle with the brakes before the car is brought to a stop within inches of the washout point. Needless to say, the superintendent's ideas of efficiency are somewhat altered by his experience.