(2012-04-25 19:12:04)

Union Station

This review is from: Union Station (DVD) Very good Film Noir film. Fast action and good suspense.William Holden and Barry Fritzgerald did a great job of acting in this film. Has to do with a kidnapping of a wealthy man's daughter. The picture quality is very good. Recommended.

Jed from Toronto

(2012-04-25 12:33:30)

Stop with the Shrieking already!

This film is really very good and full of suspense. A woman on a trainnotices strange behaviour from two men who have just boarded her trainand the fact that one has a gun under his coat makes her decide toreport to the train conductor. There follows a cliff-hanger of a movieinvolving a young, blind girl who has been kidnapped and will surely bekilled by the psychotic kidnapper (Lyle Bettger) if she is not gottento on time. There is only one jarring note - I don't think I am alonein wanting to strangle the blind girl every time she appears in thefilm. The director decided that she should shriek, scream and do anails-scrapping-down-the-blackboard routine at every possible moment.This film merits more than the 7 I gave it for those who can overlookthis irritating performance. Worth watching - you may want to keep theremote handy so that you can easily access the mute button.

edwagreen

(2012-04-14 08:14:09)

Union Station- Caution: Subway Riding May Be Hazardous to Your Health **1/2

In the same year that William Holden and Nancy Olson earned Oscarnominations for "Sunset Boulevard," they both appeared in this crimethriller.When Olson observes the forever villainous Lyle Bettger with a gun, theaction begins. Olson and his gang have kidnapped a wealthy blind girl.A faux pas in the film is when the father shows pictures of the girlwhen she is between 12-13 years of age. At that time she had her sightbut she looks more like she is 21 years old there.Jan Sterling shows that she had what it takes as Bettger's moll whotakes a bullet during a shoot out with a police officer. Sterling'svoice comes across as the typical dumb blonde.The Bettger character is a mean spirited thief driven to murder for$100,000. The below the subway sequences are very good even though weknow how this will all turn out.William Holden smokes his way as usual, this time as the cop assignedto the station. Barry Fitzgerald showed his mettle again playing apolice officer. He seemed to get these parts after the memorable "GoingMy Way." Fitzgerald's Irish brogue is so suitable for the part.Why is Nancy Olson still in harms way after she has informed the policeabout the dangerous Bettger and after they begin to eliminate themembers of the ruthless gang?

NewEnglandPat

(2012-04-13 23:51:24)

Solid kidnapping and railroad crime thriller

This neat thriller is a cops-and-robbers film that was typical of thegenre many years ago. The plot deals with kidnapping and ransom issuesand the scenes reflect the film noir style that was popular inHollywood. A commuter's concern about possible criminal activity kicksoff this mystery that unfolds in a train terminal as the police andgangsters engage in a high stakes game of nerve and wits. The cast isvery good and William Holden and Nancy Olson make a nice pair, and inspite of their testy exchanges, seem headed to a romantic conclusion.Lyle Bettger, a fine villain, does a great job here, and a thrillingchase sequence on an elevated train ending in a stockyard might be themovie's high point. Barry Fitzgerald is good at underplaying sceneswith droll humor and homespun words of wisdom and Jan Sterling has abrief role as a femme-fatale.

theowinthrop

(2012-04-10 19:32:07)

Really First Rate Film Noir - And Bettger Almost Walks Off With It!

Looking at the casting and production of this film, and even the title,an informed viewer must wonder about who was the guiding genius behindit. The romantic leads, William Holden and Nancy Olsen, just played thesimilar leads in a tragically doomed love affair in Billy Wilder'sSUNSET BOULEVARD. The director, Rudolph Mate, was better known for hiscinematography up to a few years earlier. But by 1950 he had THE DARKPAST (also with Holden and Lee J. Cobb) and D.O.A. (with EdmondO'Brien) under his belt...and there were more to come. The villain (inonly his third film) was the terrific bad guy Lyle Bettger - about tofully blossom in what was the best role in this film (but bad guysusually got the best roles in "film noir"). Barry Fitzgerald is hereplaying a version of his Police Detective from THE NAKED CITY. Insupporting parts are Jan Sterling, Allene Roberts, Herbert Heyes,Parley Baer, Ralph Sanford, and even Byron Foulger. This film haseverything going for it - even the location is suggestive of potentialtragedy.In 1933 the FBI suffered the worst loss of personal in it's earlyhistory when four of it's agents, while escorting some prisoners, wereambushed in a botched attempt to spring the prisoners. The four menwere machine-gunned to death as were the two prisoners (I said it wasbotched). As a result J.Edgar Hoover got Congress to pass legislationallowing F.B.I. men to carry arms into the field (something the stateshad rejected at first). The killings were later ascribed (probablytruthfully) to "Pretty Boy" Floyd's gang, but nobody was ever punishedfor the killings. The incident happened in the parking area of UNIONSTATION in Kansas City. In fact, it is historically called "The UnionStation Massacre". Oddly enough no regular film was ever done of the true story - althougha fictionalized television film was made in the 1970s. But this is sucha good thriller it will do for it's acting (especially Bettger) andproduction values.Olson is a secretary to Heyes, a very wealthy man who has a singlechild - Roberts. Originally Roberts had all her senses, but she hasbecome blind. When she vanishes, Olson becomes suspicious of two men ona commuter train (Bettger and an associate) who she follows to UnionStation. She approaches Holden and he uses his staff of railway policeto follow them and see where they put away a piece of luggage. Afterthey leave Holden prepares to open the locker to verify that Olsonthinks they have a gun in there. But he insists on doing everything bythe book - much to Olsen's disgust. He does not want law suits againsthimself, his men, the staff of the station or the station itself. Heinsists on her name and address, and Olsen - very angrily - gives it tohim. Then the locker is checked, and Olsen's information verified.This is how the film progresses, and adds to the tensions of the story.Bettger is a border-line psychotic (he enjoys some taunting of hisvictims, but he keeps his eyes on the goal of the kidnap ransom). Hehas spent five years in prison for a hold-up (he angrily dismisses theevent, calling the filling-station robbery a "coffee and cake" affair).While there he thought out this meticulous crime - all centered on thestation. As he is willing to use and kill people to get his results heconstantly keeps one step ahead of his pursuers.But Holden and his regular police force Detective Fitgerald have tomove more slowly. They have to play by limitations and rules they areassigned to uphold (though at one point they give one of Bettger'sassociates a "third degree" good cop - bad cop grilling that getsresults with near violence). They also are hamstrung because of Heyes,who is frightened at the threat to his helpless daughter and agrees toanything Bettger demands.So Bettger, despite the losses of two associates, is always in the lead- and calling the shots to the conclusion of the film. His key tosuccess is his hold on Roberts, a helpless victim who cannot fight onequal terms. If the forces of law and order want to find her alive (apoint that Bettger really could not care about) they have to follow histune.The actors are all good, with Holden and Olsen gradually findingreasons to appreciate each other more and more. Fitzgerald has nomoment (as in THE NAKED CITY) outlining his model for solving crimes.But he and Holden do discuss (after the death of a policeman) thelimits of following the book and rules in moments of danger. Holdenfeels that such behavior only ends with the party on a slab in amorgue, but Fitzgerald says that kind of bravery wins battles. It's alesson Holden takes to heart.The supporting actors too are good - in particular Jan Sterling asBettger's lover and most sympathetic gang member. On the whole UNION STATION is a wonderful film noir, and a must seefilm.

jpdoherty

(2012-04-10 06:54:06)

Finally, Another Classic Noir Unearthed.

Paramount's UNION STATION (1950) is another memorable noir fromHollywood's golden past making its belated DVD debut. A gritty andcompelling thriller it was adapted for the screen from the violentnovel "Nightmare In Manhattan" by Thomas Walsh. Daniel L. Fapp's starkBlack & White cinematography brought a great style to it with itsshifting use of light and shadow and the genuine locations, especiallyin the bustling Union Station itself in Los Angeles, added a realisticlook and feel to the whole thing.A girl (the resistible Nancy Olson) sees a man (Lyle Bettger) on atrain wearing a gun under his jacket and immediately suspects him ofbeing up to no good (how it never occurs to her that he could perhapsbe a cop is conveniently glossed over). She however reports the matterto the conductor who in turn alerts railway cop William Calhoun(William Holden). It soon comes to light that the man with the gun andanother have kidnapped a blind girl and are holding her hostage for aransom of $100,000 from her well to do businessman father (HerbertHeyes). Things really hot up when Calhoun, with help from the citypolice headed by Inspector Donnelly (Barry Fitzgerald), stakeout UnionStation - the nominated drop zone for the ransom. The picture ends witha climactic chase sequence as Holden pursues Bettger through a maze ofdark tunnels underneath the station for the inevitable and excitingshootout.Performances are generally fine throughout. Holden is terrific in itbut it is unusual to see him as a cop. He plays the part well butwatching him you can't help thinking he is an actor of a much highercalibre than is called for here and deserving of classier and moreartistically challenging parts such as his Acadamy Award winning roleas Sefton in "Stalag 17" (1953) or his perfect Joe Gillis in "SunsetBoulevard" which he and his co-star here Olson would embark on rightafter UNION STATION. Also kicking around his thick Irish brogue againBarry Fitzgerald repeats his role, almost verbatim, from "The NakedCity" (1948) the only difference being his name here is Donnellyinstead of Muldoon. But there's little doubt the movie belongs to LyleBettger as the heartless and sadistic kidnapper. Beside Jack Elam hasthere ever been a meaner or nastier baddie in movies? Born in 1915Bettger made a full career out of playing menacing characters. He had asinister smirk and a scary glare that was positively unnerving. Hisfirst film was Barbara Stanwyck's "No Man Of Here Own" just beforeUNION STATION and with the exception of only one time playing the heroin "Carnival Story" (1954) he continued throughout a busy career to beevery moviegoer's favourite baddie "you loved to hate". Lyle Bettgerretired in 1979 and died in 2003 at the age of 88.Unusually there is no one composer credited with scoring the picture.But there are minor contributions from Heinz Reomheld and stock musicfrom Victor Young and Hugo Friedhofor. There is a spirited main titleover the credits which sounds very much to me like something the greatVictor Young could have written. The score was compiled and supervisedby Irvin Talbot.The DVD release is an impeccable transfer with sharp as a button imagesand smooth sound. Clearly they had access to a new print of the movieand it shows. But there are no extras - not even a trailer. But now fora word of caution! Watch out for the most ridiculous and irritatinglogo you are ever likely to see which comes at the start of the DVDfrom a crowd called Olive Films. This has to be some kind of gag! Butafter all is said and done you can be confident, this silly intro. doesnothing to diminish the excellence of the movie which remains atimeless classic.

secondtake

(2012-04-06 03:46:27)

A terrific formula film. It doesn't rise above, but it takes off beautifully.

Union Station (1950)I saw "Sunset Blvd" right after seeing this one, and it really ispretty cool that the two leads here were in such different films. Andwith such ease. William Holden is the key actor in both cases--in thesense of screen time, of course, but also screen presence. But NancyOlson as a kind of sweet stereotype is right on. Good stuff to build amovie around.Or the other way around. Certainly in both cases there is a coreconcept that the actors fit into. "Union Station" has, by way of itstitle right off the bat, a clean focus. Holden plays William Calhoun,head of security for a fairly large train station in an unnamed town.The crime almost doesn't matter--it's a kidnapping with ransom--becausewe never quite feel for the victims (hostage and hostage's family) somuch as feel the investigation happen. And key there is an odd andbelievable clash (romantic clash) between Calhoun, who has to do hisjob, and Olson's character, who is a typical person who wants to dogood but doesn't understand the cool machinations of police work.The first half of the movie is more interesting for its turns of plot.It leads us through the various stages of the discovering the crime andthe nature of its extent without pushing. It's quite a nice insiderlook at the logic of it. Then the second half turns to moreaction--chasing and drama pure and simple, with some of the best lowlight shooting you can ask for. This is the era when studios are moving away from shooting on lots tofinding locations to work in, and some of the scenes are fabulous. Thestock yard chase toward the beginning is fabulous, and all theventilation tunnel scenes at the end equally so. The station itself,which takes up the bulk of the movie, is interesting and nicelycontained. This is a movie you can simply "watch" for its visual flow,and the sites. In fact, I did this twice, almost by accident, because Iwas tired in the first round and wanted to see what I missed. In termsof plot, nothing much shows up the second time around, but the editingand photography are really so fine you can watch it all twice noproblem.Back to "Sunset Blvd." then--there is on some level no comparisonbetween the two, as movies, even if there are lots of overlaps in timeand cast. It's not just that Billy Wilder is a far more inventive andinteresting director than Rudolph Mate, but the intentions were farbigger. "Union Station" is a formula picture. It's not even a filmnoir, but an action drama with low key light and vigorous photography.It's worth noticing that Mate is a photographer, and was director ofphotography for some seriously wonderful movies. And he has a handfulof great films to his resume, too. So he attacked what must have beenan obvious boilerplate movie and made it really really good. Check itout.

bkoganbing

(2012-04-05 11:38:35)

The Psycho/Phantom of Union Station

Union Station is the locale of a kidnapping and in its labyrinth oftunnels that bare no accidental resemblance to the catacombs of Rome,the victim, Allene Roberts, is snatched and held captive by LyleBettger.Allene is the blind daughter of wealthy industrialist Herbert Hayes andsince the crime happened on railroad property William Holden as thechief railroad detective has the case. Of course the LAPD is brought inin the person of Barry Fitzgerald. Holden is alerted to the kidnap by Nancy Olson who is traveling withRoberts. She's Hayes's secretary, but Bettger eludes them. It's a raceagainst time to apprehend him before a payoff is made.This was Lyle Bettger's third film and the one where he first gotnotice. During his career, Mr. Bettger played some of the loveliestpsychotics ever put on film. This one is one of his best and in hislittle hideaway where he keeps the terrified Ms. Roberts, Bettger baresno small resemblance to the Phantom of the Opera. Bettger really stealsthe film from the good guy stars.Union Station is one tightly constructed film with not a second ofwasted footage in it. I wish it were out on VHS or DVD. Don't miss itif TCM ever broadcasts it.

miriamwebster

(2012-03-28 02:13:40)

Station Identification

Unjustly over-looked B-movie kidnap caper marred by geographicalheresy. Although landmark title locale is unmistakably famous downtownLos Angeles train station of same name, other scenes supposedlyoccurring in same vicinity involve elevated railways and nearbystockyards with no connection to actual LA landscape. Sort of liketitling a movie Empire State Building, then having sequences take placein surrounding deserts, ski resorts and palm-studded sandy beaches. HadParamount simply called it something like Train Station Confidential,this wouldn't have been an issue.Great location photography, though, and a terrific (if somewhat tritelyused) cast including William Holden, Nancy Olsen, Barry Fitzpatrick,Lyle Bettger, Jan Sterling and solid roster of supporting players ofthe era. (With notable exception of justly-obscure one-note actress whoportrays kidnap victim at the top of her lungs.)Well worth a look for film noir fans, LA history buffs and architectureaficiandos.

Varlaam

(2012-03-27 13:24:50)

A tough thriller

This film reminded me of others from the late '40's up to 1950, of "D.O.A.",in some ways, with its tense realism. The cold, merciless criminalmastermind played by Lyle Bettger was a (considerably) more balanced versionof the sinister characters portrayed by James Cagney in "White Heat" orRichard Widmark in "Kiss of Death".This is an early police procedural, with the railway cops working closelywith the New York City police. According to Leslie Halliwell, "Naked City"-- which I've somehow managed never to see -- is the prototype for all thefilms of this type. The style eventually became overfamiliar, and verydiluted, on television with shows like "Dragnet". "Naked City" cast BarryFitzgerald unexpectedly as the lead detective, and he repeats that rolehere.The two principal stars of "Union Station" are William Holden and NancyOlson, who also co-starred in "Sunset Boulevard" this same year, 1950. Nancyplays Bill's conscience, constantly concerned that the interests of thekidnap victim don't get overlooked in the hunt for thecriminals.Holden is quite good -- he really started to come into his own at this time-- indicating more depth than was strictly required for the stalwart hero ina crime story. Bettger shows calculated menace. The two make worthyopponents.

moonspinner55

(2012-03-19 10:25:47)

Prolonged, textbook kidnap-plot with interesting milieu...

Director Rudolph MatГѓВ©'s "Union Station", from Thomas Walsh's novel,pairs William Holden again with Nancy Olson just after their triumphsin "Sunset Blvd." While both stars are solid here, the step-down togenre shtick (particularly for Holden) is disheartening. After seeingwhat Holden was truly capable of, he's reduced here to the oldcops-and-kidnappers formula, with barely a personality beneath hisbadge. Olson plays a worrisome secretary who spots somedesperate-looking men on her train; after reporting them to theauthorities, it's discovered--in an outrageous coincidence--the menhave just kidnapped the blind daughter of Olson's wealthy employer.Aside from some uncommon brutalities, and a sadistically funny game ofgood cop-bad cop between detective Holden, chief inspector BarryFitzgerald and one of the crooks, this paste-up case is pretty cut anddry. The train station surroundings are fun, but the victim (a realscreamer) is a sad sack, as are the dopey villains. Olson has little todo but wring her hands, but she certainly comes out better than JanSterling, playing sweetheart to the bad guys. Sterling, after beingforced to roll about in the gutter, later gets one of those Hollywoodhospital scenes which doesn't even show her off to any great advantage.The picture is smoothly steady, but rather a no-brainer. ** from ****

(2012-03-19 02:15:41)

The star of this movie is Union Station itself

I found this movie riveting although I would agree that it is flawed in some of the ways other reviewers here have pointed out.To me, the star of this movie is the main setting itself -- Union Station. (It's supposed to be Union Station-Chicago tho it was actually filmed in Union Station-L.A.) So much of the action takes place amidst the corridors and passageways and train tracks and tunnels underneath Union Station. (And at one point the action shifts to the Chicago "El" train.) And since every cop in the movie (with one brief exception) is in plain clothes (which in 1950 apparently meant a dark grey suit and tie), there is a constant sense of tension and suspense as they try to follow and trap the criminals amongst the hustle and bustle of the ordinary folks commuting or working in the vast train station. The station cops have hidden offices on a sort of mezzanine level overlooking the station and constantly spy on the throngs below, trying to spot the kidnappers and ransom bag guys. An ordinary train station is converted into a eerie locale of spying and cat-and-mouse between cop and criminal.In fact, the setting is more noir-ish than the characters. To me, the main characters in the film are not "true" film noir characters, it's more an ordinary "good guy" vs "bad guy" sort of crime movie. But the film transforms an ordinary busy big-city train station into "Dark City Central."

MARIO GAUCI

(2012-03-11 09:04:57)

UNION STATION (Rudolph Mate', 1950) ***

Obviously modeled on Jules Dassin's superior THE NAKED CITY (1948) –co-starring Barry Fitzgerald, meticulous police procedural, filmed onactual locations – this film can certainly stand on its own two feet,being a tight and neatly-handled little thriller with plenty of actionand suspense. Especially effective is a game of cat-and-mouse on atrain between criminal and cop, which must have influenced THE FRENCHCONNECTION (1971)! While it doesn't quite have the scope of the earlier classic, the filmnonetheless makes the most of its situations (revolving around arace-against-the-clock to save a kidnapped blind girl) and settings(the majority of the action taking place, naturally, inside the titularlocation – with the tunnels underneath the station itself providing thebackdrop for the climax, and which may well have been inspired byending of THE THIRD MAN [1949]).Fitzgerald is once again excellent though, here, he rather playssecond-fiddle to the nominal stars – this being a Paramount film, itcouldn't but be contract players (William Holden and Nancy Olson in thesecond of their four teamings). Lyle Bettger is appropriately menacingas the sly chief kidnapper, while Jan Sterling appears as hissoft-hearted girlfriend (who suffers the consequences for demonstratingcompassion towards her charge).

(2012-03-10 19:58:14)

A Very Good, Unknown Film Noir

This is a little-known-but very good film noir. I sure wish it would come out on DVD with a good transfer. William Holden and Nancy Olson both worked on Sunset Boulevard this same year this was released and here are together again. Actually, I like the two a lot better in this film. Yes, some of the scenes are a bit dumb but the story moves well and keeps your interest which is what a good crime story-drama should do.I really enjoyed the train station, too. It looked awesome.

(2012-03-10 02:08:35)

Master Pieces

I love Willy Holden. If he ever comes back as a woman I'm going to stalk him/her untill he/she submits to my marriage proposal. Good movie.

(2012-03-09 13:39:32)

Union Station

This review is from: Union Station (DVD) Just ordered the DVD of this movie. I had it on VHS, then was able to record it to DVD-R but want a professional copy also. This movie is among my favorite noir. I like William Holden and Barry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald in Naked City was excellent and he does a good job here also. The late 40's and early 50's were, in my opinion, the golden age of noir. Many fine movies were made in that genre and this is one of them. You had the tough but really sensitive cop or private eye, the girl in distress, the criminal who was out to get everyone, and some really classic settings on locale. Combine that together and you have some really good entertainment. It's a window to a bygone era. I could care less about some of the aspects some reviewers put into their synopsis. It's entertainment, what more do you want?

David

(2012-03-06 05:19:38)

A little disappointing the second time around

I saw this movie on local TV maybe 25 years ago and thought it superb.But Paramount movies, with a few exceptions, aren't shown much anymore.So I was excited to find it resurfacing.Watching it was a little less exciting. It's not really a film noir.It's a thriller. William Holden is good, very good, but the supportingcast leaves something to be desired.I've seen Nancy Olson only in this and, also with Holden, in "SunsetBoulevard." She has a quality that can bring June Cleaver into thedarkest, most cynical movies.The actress playing the kidnapped blind girl overdoes it. That may wellnot have been her fault. It may have been the script and the directionof the usually superb Rudoph Mate'. However, she is played as foolishas well as blind. I wish to state with authority that the two do not gohand-in-hand -- though maybe they were perceived more as doing so in1950.The film is suspenseful. Sort of. But I have to say I anticipated itsevery step -- and not because I'd seen it decades ago: All I rememberedbefore today was that a young blind woman is kidnapped and that ittakes place in a train station. There, I was correct.Oh! And that strange Murchison name appears again. I'd thought this wasan MGM in-joke, but here we find it at Paramount too.

Bucs1960

(2012-03-06 00:19:09)

Train Spotting

I liked this film for a lot of reasons. The first and foremost is LyleBettger's interpretation of a true psycho. Bettger was in a class tohimself when it came to playing crazed killers and generally evil guys.He doesn't disappoint here.The plot, although not necessarily unique, is taut and moves along at afairly rapid pace. The blind daughter of a wealthy family is kidnappedand held for ransom. Enter railroad detective William Holden and theLAPD in the person of Barry Fitzgerald and the chase is on. Nancy Olsonis along for the ride and the film is peppered with some of the greatcharacter actors of the day.Throw in a bit of graphic police brutality and a great chase throughthe underground and you've got a neat little film. However, thescreaming blind hostage never shuts up.......she screams continuallyuntil you really don't care if she ever is rescued. But of course sheis, Bettger gets his come-uppance and Holden and Olson hold hands. Verytidy and enjoyable.

GManfred

(2012-03-04 06:18:04)

Good picture; A little dated but underrated

Viewers at times have to approach some films with an atavisticdemeanor, as though going to a museum. After all, times change, customschange, people change. Years ago many people smoked, men wore fedorasand Police methods were also different. This last seems to be LeonardMaltin's main objection to the film when he says 'dated policetechniques'. This is 2008, and with the ACLU acting as spoilers, policeno longer 'lean on' suspects.As previously stated, watch this picture with a sense of atavism and itis thoroughly enjoyable. After all, it was 1950 - many of us canremember those times, fondly. William Holden was almost a big star,Lyle Bettger was honing his talent as a heavy and Rudolph Mate was anaccomplished Director. Tension is sustained throughout and the locationphotography is interesting. Do yourself a favor and see it next timeit's on.

ccthemovieman-1

(2012-03-03 17:58:07)

A Very Good, Unknown Film Noir

This was a bit of a sleeper, better than I thought and not a well-knownfilm to begin with, since it never came out on VHS. William Holden andNancy Olson both worked on Sunset Boulevard this same year this wasreleased and here are together again. Actually, I like the two a lotbetter in this film than the much better- known 'Boulevard.'Yes, some of the scenes are a bit dumb but the story moves well andkeeps your interest which is what a good crime story-drama should do.For some reason, I really enjoyed the train station, too. It lookedawesome. Hopefully, some day this movie will be part of a film-noir package onDVD.