The Lost Special is a 1932 American Pre-Code Universal movie serial based on the story The Lost Special by Arthur Conan Doyle. This adaptation does not include Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes, and moves events to the American West.

This was the 84th serial (and the 16th serial with sound) to be released by Universal.

Plot
A special train carrying gold bullion is hijacked on its way from the Golconda Mine. Laying down portable tracks, the bandits take the train off the main line, hide it in an abandoned mine shaft, steal the gold, and pick up their makeshift tracks, leaving a mystery in their wake. Part owner of the mine, Potter Hood, and the railroad president, Horace Moore, search for the mysteriously disappeared train and gold. They are unaware, however, that the criminals are working secretly for Sam Slater, the other partner in the gold mine, who wants to sabotage mine operations enough that he can take over completely. Potter’s son, Tom Hood, arrives home from college and determines to solve the mystery with the aid of his pal Bob Collins. They board the gold-shipment special train on its next run. Meanwhile, newspaper reporter Betty Moore – who is niece to the railroad president – and her friend Kate Bland begin their own investigation. After the four youths foil an attempt at a second heist, they join forces. The next 11 chapters show the characters’ attempts to locate the “Lost Special” train and identify the ringleader.

As is typical in serial films, each episode ends on a cliff-hanger. For example: the two girls are driving in a car along a road that parallels the speeding train, when a henchman’s revolver shatters the windshield of Betty’s car, blinding her and sending her car toward the on-rushing train. Other cliff-hanger endings include a runaway car sailing off the cliff into a lake and our heroes being trapped by rising water in a dungeon.

Cast
Frank Albertson as Tom Hood, son of Potter Hood
Ernie Nevers as Bob Collins, Tom’s friend.
Cecilia Parker as Betty Moore, Reporter and niece of Horace Moore
Francis Ford as Potter Hood, part owner of the Golconda gold mine
J. Frank Glendon as Sam Slater, part owner of the Golconda gold mine
Frank Beal as Horace Moore, owner of the railroad
Caryl Lincoln as Kate Bland, friend of Betty Moore
Tom London as Dirk/Detective Dane
Al Ferguson as Gavin
Jack Clifford as Doran
Edmund Cobb as Spike
Joe Bonomo as Joe
George Magrill as Lefty
Reb Russell as one of Bob’s college pals