Okay, I get it now. Ross explains himself on Pelham 123 and I find his explanation totally acceptable. I should have read through about the casting of the remake. I wonder if they thought of Pee Wee Herman for the Martin Balsam role.

Bonus: As several readers have reminded me, the best line from the orginal: “Screw the goddamn passengers! What the hell did they expect for their lousy 35 cents – to live forever?”