An absolutely perfect example of an early 30s Warner Brothers movie. It's the depression and WB targeted their product for the struggling masses so as you'd expect, it focusses on people, themes and situations that real people back then were facing and could relate to. These movies were made to cheer people up, they were made to bring a smile to the faces of the audience of the 30s and this example one hundred percent still brings a smile to the face of anyone watching in the 21st century.
Everything about Union Depot is perfect. The characters are all instantly likeable and brilliantly acted. Direction from Alfred Green is innovative and energetic. He commands your interest through every minute and unlike some of these early 30s films which feel too short to let the personalities develop or for us to get to know them, this one is just right.
The two leads are excellent: utterly believable. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Superbly channels his inner Clarke Gable and Joan Blondell, whom he mistakes for a prostitute (charging him $64.50), is marvellous and even without her usual 'lingerie scene' she still manages to exude more sex appeal than any human can possibly exude. For a change, she's not playing a street-wise sassy blonde who's in charge of what she's doing. Here she's more fragile, someone actually closer to her own personality. She conveys someone scared, someone vulnerable, someone unsure of what's happening but hopeful that it will work out.
Overall this is a thoroughly entertaining, happy and uplifting film. A good story of course wouldn't be a good story without a series of ever worsening and complicated problems mounting up to overcome but you just know that it's going to be alright at the end - it may not be a perfect fairy-tale ending but a realistic happy ending. This film is an absolute delight.
Everything about Union Depot is perfect. The characters are all instantly likeable and brilliantly acted. Direction from Alfred Green is innovative and energetic. He commands your interest through every minute and unlike some of these early 30s films which feel too short to let the personalities develop or for us to get to know them, this one is just right.
The two leads are excellent: utterly believable. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Superbly channels his inner Clarke Gable and Joan Blondell, whom he mistakes for a prostitute (charging him $64.50), is marvellous and even without her usual 'lingerie scene' she still manages to exude more sex appeal than any human can possibly exude. For a change, she's not playing a street-wise sassy blonde who's in charge of what she's doing. Here she's more fragile, someone actually closer to her own personality. She conveys someone scared, someone vulnerable, someone unsure of what's happening but hopeful that it will work out.
Overall this is a thoroughly entertaining, happy and uplifting film. A good story of course wouldn't be a good story without a series of ever worsening and complicated problems mounting up to overcome but you just know that it's going to be alright at the end - it may not be a perfect fairy-tale ending but a realistic happy ending. This film is an absolute delight.