filmtherapy

23 May 2012

pretty amateurish low budget boilerplate

Kidnap movie cops win.I found this whole movie fairly amateurish many of the scenes fakelooking e.g. the cows breaking down their gate.The kidnap victim is a blind girl a hokey and sickeningly sweet attemptto elicit pathos that failed.In fact her and the nosy obnoxious secretary make you cheer for the badguys.However the gangsters were hapless.As another reviewer called it shtick.... low budget boiler plate.OK give it a 4Watch only if nothing better around.

David

22 May 2012

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.

NewEnglandPat

20 May 2012

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.

blanche-2

20 May 2012

Good film

"Union Station" is a realistic 1950 film starring William Holden, NancyOlson, Jan Sterling and Barry Fitzgerald. It was released after "SunsetBoulevard" so by the time it came out, Holden had actually moved upanother level of stardom. Rudolph Mate directed the film in aquasi-documentary way, showing all levels of an attempt to rescue akidnapped blind girl (Allene Roberts), the daughter of Olson's wealthyboss. Holden plays the detective in charge of Union Station, and hedoesn't like the idea of anybody messing with his turf. There are somevery exciting scenes, particularly the one on the train, which assomeone mentioned, very likely inspired "The French Connection." Holdengives a strong, macho performance, which makes the scene where hevisits Olson in her home extra delightful, as he becomes embarrassedwhen her mother fusses over him. It's amazing that after Golden Boy, hetoiled in so many films beneath his ability. Jan Sterling is thegangster's girlfriend with a heart - it's a small but showy andsympathetic role. Lyle Bettger is the villain, and he's slime all theway through. The only problem with the film is the kidnap victimherself, Lorna, who screams non-stop. I'm surprised her father wantedher back, but you know how it is with parents.Really holds your interest. What a hunk Holden is. Highly recommended.

gstevens-2

20 May 2012

Railroad lovers treat

I remember this film shown once on TV. Yes, the story plotline is good andthe characters are entertaining, but the REAL star of the movie is theincredible historical Union Station itself. The movie moves throughoutportions of the building never before seen by the general public andrevealsthe enormous scope of Union Station. As a little girl I and family traveledoften by train. I remember the beauty of the place, the hustle and bustleofa station which was the base for the only comfortable way to travel by landat that time.Union Station itself compares in size and beauty to any otherin the country.This movie was shot during the last hey-days of the railroadpassenger trains and I earnestly wish it could be brought back to video.

Bucs1960

19 May 2012

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.

kiscokid23

17 May 2012

Movie Very Enjoyable

Having had experience with crime prosecution and investigative work, Irate this movie very realistic--Holden does a customary superbperformance, would like to see this movie viewed more frequently, andat more viewable times. It is interesting to see the depiction ofPolice activities in the pre-'Miranda' days--The Scenes of railroadtravel, the 1950's era motor vehicles in the movie present a realisticview of how things were then--The very realistic progression of thecases solution, the suspenseful blending of the events all make thefilm a great pleasure to enjoy.Holden, as I remember his 'Stalag 17' performance is a constant magnetfor entertaining viewing.Respectfully,Lou Turi, aka 'Kisco Kid 23'E-mail address-- luigi23@oh.rr.com

16 May 2012

Cast Cant Overcome Dreadful Writing in This Post-War Thriller.

"Union Station" is a post-War thriller revolving around a kidnapping plot, unique for the amount of time it spends in Chicago's Union Station. Joyce Willecombe (Nancy Olson), observes two men enter her train car in a hurry, one of them in possession of a gun. She reports the suspicious behavior to Lt. Bill Calhoun (William Holden), the police officer assigned to the train station in Chicago. It later becomes clear that the men whom Joyce observed have kidnapped the blind daughter of Joyce's employer, Mr. Murchison (Herbert Hayes), and are holding her for ransom. Joyce assists in identifying the men, and Lt. Calhoun and his superior Inspector Donnelly (Barry Fitzgerald) pursue the suspects in slim hopes of getting Lorna Murchison (Allene Roberts) back alive.The plot doesn't make much sense. The opening sequence of Joyce on the train contributes little to the story except to maneuver Joyce into it. I suppose that Joyce is supposed to be the person the audience identifies with -down to earth, an average citizen with a strong sense of justice- but she just seems extraneous. The police assume that the kidnap victim is dead for no apparent reason. And they're not much better than thugs when they have a suspect in their hands. There is another superfluous sequence when Calhoun pursues a suspect on a street car. It seems that the writers wanted to include certain elements of suspense, romance, action, and Irish cops in the film, and pieced them together whatever way they could, sense notwithstanding.The mastermind of the kidnapping scheme is a cruel ex-con named Joe Beacom (Lyle Bettger). My interest picked up halfway through the film, when Joe got more screen time. Beacom and his platinum blond moll seem more interesting than their pursuers, but we see too little of them. Joe remarks that he can't understand why anyone would pay to have Lorna back; I was wondering the same thing. She's a squealy, hysterical young woman who inspires no sympathy. The quasi-heroine, Joyce, is equally unappealing, partly because she doesn't do anything, but also because she is rather homely. I kept thinking that it would be great to see William Holden and Lyle Bettger face off in a better movie. The print on the Olive Films 2010 DVD is a little grainy but has no major flaws and good sound.

jpdoherty

15 May 2012

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.

theowinthrop

14 May 2012

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.

brocksilvey

12 May 2012

Bogie and Bacall. Tracy and Hepburn. Holden and Olson??

Everyone remembers William Holden for his two big-time andOscar-nominated movies in 1950 -- "Sunset Boulevard" and "BornYesterday." But ask anyone about Nancy Olson -- the heroine of "UnionStation" who plays Holden's his-girl-Friday -- and see if you get morethan a blank stare. How ironic then that she played Holden's loveinterest in "Sunset Boulevard" and received an Oscar nomination forBest Supporting Actress."Union Station" takes place almost entirely in the titular Chicagotrain port and boasts a somewhat memorable finale set underneath thestation, but the movie as a whole is forgettable. It's a disposableentry in the police procedural noirs that were so popular at the time,and spends a lot of its time explaining the logistics the Union Stationsecurity team follows in catching the kidnappers of a business tycoon'sdaughter.The film isn't very exciting, but it didn't exactly try my patienceeither, mostly because it's only 81 minutes long. Still, you can find ahundred other similar movies that are more worth your time.Grade: B-

12 May 2012

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?

bkoganbing

11 May 2012

The PsychoPhantom 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.

10 May 2012

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.

07 May 2012

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.

jotix100

06 May 2012

Kidnapped

The great railway stations of the first half of the 20th century, werethe equivalent of today's airports. Los Angeles' Union Station, was oneof the best examples of how these places worked and how it was thecenter of people moving in the country during that period in whichaviation was still in its infancy. The station is the setting for thestory in which the film is based.Directed by Rudolph Mate, who was a great cinematographer himself, weare taken to witness this interesting thriller that still holds itsinterest after more than a half a century since it was made. Mr. Mateconfided his colleague, Daniel Fapp, to photograph the action thattakes place in the tunnels, boarding and waiting areas of the station.William Holden was at the top of the profession. He is seen as Det.William Calhoun, who is in charge of security. Nancy Olson, makes aninteresting appearance opposite Mr. Holden as a young secretary whoreports to the authorities what she witnessed on an inbound train.Barry Fitzgerald, who plays the police inspector in charge, contributesto the success of the film. Best of all Lyle Bettger, an actor thatmade his specialty out of the shady characters he was called to play.Jan Sterling has a small, but pivotal part."Union Station" is worth looking as it reflects that period of time inAmerica. Ultimate the station is the real star of the film where we seeit in all its splendor.

moonspinner55

02 May 2012

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

Director Rudolph Maté'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 ****

02 May 2012

Night Train

This is a review for the VHS tape of UNION STATION, a film which wasoriginally released by Paramaount Pictures in 1950. UNION STATION wasdirected by veteran Rudolph Mate from a story by Thomas Walsh, a verypopular pulpster at the time.Secretary Joyce Willecombe , played by Nancy Olsen, notices a gun stuck in the waistband of one of two men who board her commuter train one afternoon and reports it to the conductor. He tells her to wait until they arrive at Union Station, the large train hub for the unnamed urban area. She does report it to the head of security for the station, Lt. William Calhoun, played by William Holden.This is just the start of a path that eventually leads to a kidnapping, attempted murder, a $100,000 ransom, an eye-opening treatise on just exactly how big city police really operate, the desperation of ex-cons for one big score and their willingness to die for it.UNION STATION also portrays what it takes to succesfully run a big operation like the huge railroad station security system and the dedication as well as possesiveness of "My station" to keep it going.UNION STATION progresses from an afternoon commute scenario to a urban noir nightdream, with plenty of rain slickened streets and unidentifiable tenement- like addresses, some of which may or may not house the kidnappers and a kidnapped blind girl. It is a taut, tense ride through the unnamed urban landscape with a well earned satisfying conclusion.UNION STATION also shows, with really fine cinematography,the many different forms of railroads and train transport circa 1950 throughout the movie. It could almost serve as a documentary on the subject of the rail transport system of sixty years ago.Altogther I give UNION STATION four stars for a suprisingly exciting, if little known,film noir suspenser.

kenjha

28 April 2012

Routine Thriller

Holden and Olson went from the set of the magnificent classic "SunsetBlvd." to this routine drama about the kidnapping of a young blindwoman. Although the film seems to have the elements for a tensethriller, including a chase in an underground railroad tunnel and anice film noir look, the plot is somewhat muddled and the narrative isnot well sustained. Holden and Olson are fine, working well together inthe second of four films they would co-star in between 1950 and 1951,and Bettger makes a good villain. However, Fitzgerald, with his Irishbrogue, is rather annoying, as is Roberts as the perpetually shriekingvictim.

Neil Doyle

27 April 2012

Taut thriller maintains high degree of suspense...

UNION STATION is a briskly paced thriller laced with enough suspense tokeep the viewer intrigued until the final shootout in a tunnel belowthe station where badman (LYLE BETTGER) must be tracked down byhard-boiled detective (WILLIAM HOLDEN) so that a blind girl (ALLENEROBERTS) can be returned safely to her father. Bettger has arranged aransom for the girl to the tune of $100,000 and is determined to keep agrip on the suitcase containing the ransom money.NANCY OLSON is the woman on the train who first notices that one of themen has come aboard with a gun and she immediately becomes suspiciousenough to report this to the authorities. Lead detective Holden takescharge and he and Olson gradually develop a relationship of trust thatleads to the finale where she's tending to his wounded shoulder, whileLAPD man (BARRY FITZGERALD) looks on approvingly, sensing love inbloom.It's directed in almost documentary style with a "Naked City" sort ofrealism. Holden and the police handle their suspects with realisticallyrough tactics which further heightens the tense realism of the story.JAN STERLING has a small role as a gun moll (what else?), who lets thepolice know that Bettger intends to kill the girl once he gets theransom.LYLE BETTGER is superb as the snarling villain, easily stealing many ofthe scenes with his brutally menacing tough guy role. No wonder heplayed this sort of man in so many films afterwards.Well worth watching, nice work by Holden and Olson, with faintcriticism for Barry Fitzgerald for mumbling much of his heavilyaccented dialog with that Irish brogue. The only other criticism isthat the director allows ALLENE ROBERTS to scream too much, whichbecomes tiresome and makes Bettger come up with the crack, afterslapping her: "For this, he's willing to put up $100,000."