UNION DEPOT

US, 1932, 68 minutes, Black and white.
Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, Joan Blondell, Alan Hale, Frank Mc Hugh, George Rosener, Guy Kibbee, David Landau.
Directed by Alfred E. Green.

Union Depot is a very brief First National 1932 slice of life with a touch of thriller. Based on a play, it emulates the Grand Hotel style of film-making: a central place, a variety of characters and interactions. Douglas Fairbanks and Joan Blondell enjoy themselves in the central roles. The film is a fairly primitive sound film - and was directed by Alfred E. Green (the Jolson films during the '40s).

1. Popular entertainment of 1932? Brief film? Entertainment?

2. Black and white photography, the station, based on a play, the fluidity of the camera movement for life at the station?

3. The workings of the railway station, people coming and going, the shops, the officials, the police? Trains, guards, passengers? Information?

4. Chick and his being released from jail, his buddy, stealing the uniform, as the information clerk, encountering the girl and repelled by her at the bar? His meeting Ruth, falling for her, taking her home, promising the money, the meal together, listening to her story, the pawn ticket and the fiddle, finding the money, buying the dresses and the ticket? His arrest, suspicions, his story, going to get the money, the clash with the criminal, the arrest? The solution?

5. Ruth, the doctor chasing her, her needs, going to Salt Lake City, the encounter with Chick, going with him, the meal, the money and the dress, being arrested, the final resolution?

6. The criminal and his disguise, the counterfeit money in the fiddle, losing the pawn ticket, pretending to the police, exposure?

7. The picture of the police, the officials, their work at the station, arrests, interrogations?

8. Chick's buddy, in jail, the food, minding the money? The various characters at the station?

9. Tough dialogue, street-smart, entertainment of the '30s?