I think the opening and closing scenes were shot at the same time, with the deserted depot for the arrival and then with all the State Police vehicles parked around for the ending. That is appropriate since the train was supposed to run at the same time each day. The only problem would be getting all the shots in....
The worst example of continuity I have ever seen was the 1940s black and white version of "Goodbye Mr Chips". The opening scene was a train entering the station near the school at the beginning of term, with all the students arriving. The filmmakers decided to have a pan view of the train arriving, but for some reason had to carry out the pan in two halves. They then decided to use two regular service trains for the scene. The first train had a conventional steam locomotive, but the second had one of Oliver Bullied's streamlined light pacifics. So in mid pan, the locomotive changed from a dark green conventional loco to a light green streamlined loco with three yellow stripes down the side. Even in black and white that is a visual shock.
The plot of "A Bad Day at Black Rock" is interesting. Despite the date of 1945, it is in spirit a Western with good triumphing over evil, and the honest hero winning over the locals who had been led astray by the villain. The missing Japanese farmer and his son killed in action reflect indirectly on the poor treatment of ethnic Japanese Americans during the War, which while well known now would not have been a topic in movies of the period.
I'll watch it it any time it is run...
M636C
