Union Depot (Warner Bros.) (1932)

REVIEW “Union Depot,” Vast In. Panoramic Sweep, Stars Young Fairbanks In Hilarious Romance of Adventure The public clamor for something new in motion pictures was abundantly gratified last night. at the 23)..5.0 hee os Theatre, when ‘‘Union Depot,” the First . National and Vitaphone production, starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., with Joan Blondell as his leading lady — auspiciously opened its local engagement. The breath-taking action of this romantic comedy-thriller takes place in and about the confines of a vast railroad sta tion, whose ever-changing throngs creates atmosphere rich in drama and human interest. Against this picturesque background the vivid personalities of the star and leading lady are placed with brilliant effectiveness. “Union Depot’ is a_ fast moving modern story of real life—the kind that might happen to anybody any day in any big station. The picture is kaleidoscopic in its revealing glimpses of the actors in the passing show of all humanity. People of all sorts and conditions, by its magic, become splendidly living and understandable. Touches of pathos are relieved by unexpected thrills, and by laughter that rings true. Folks leave the theatre happier than they came, seeing the world through’ rosier glasses. Even the likeable young Doug has never been quite so ingratiating» as in the role of the improvident and penniless adventurer who gets his miraculous chance to be a millionaire for a day— rescuer of maidens in distress—discoverer of dark-browed villains—hobo and hero —game loser—and_ gallant winner. “Union Depot’’ also gives the vivacious Joan her big opportunity, enabling her to display new phases of her individual talent. Over ninety players take part in “Union Depot,’? among whom may be mentioned Guy Kibbee, Alan Hale, George Rosener, David Landau, Mary Dunn, Rita Flynn, Polly Walters, Ruth Hall, Mae Madison, Lillian Bond, George MacFarlane, Earle Foxe,*Louis King, Frank McHugh, Spencer Charters, Ben: Taggart and Robert Homans. Many well-known screen favorites not mentioned in the cast do unforgettable characterizations of people in the crowds. Alfred E. Green, the diversity of whose genius has been demonstrated by such widely different pictures as ‘‘Disraeli’’? .and ‘Smart ‘Money,”’ has achieved marvelous unity in his direction of ‘‘Union Depot.” Zi “Too high praise cannot be accorded to the amazing transcript of humanity— ~ “Union Depot.’ It is a world within worlds. Its merrily disastrous comedy of | st day of run “Union Depot’? Drawing Large Crowds To _________-------- Manager. ao er tens: of the Rips A ere ek An eee Theatre states that “Union Depot,” the First National and Vitaphone production starring Douglass Fairbanks, Jr., and featuring Joan Blondell is doing capacity business and building: daily, although it has not exceeded the box-office records set by ........ ERR NER er eapee Ey aa ares On acre ok However, the ‘‘Union Depot’’ receipts are more than any in the last......... weeks and the picture is proving to be one of the most popular that the ...... has shown this season. It boasts a cast of 5,000 players, who, under the capable direction of Alfred E. Green form a background for the fascinating adventures of Doug, Jr., and Joan Blondell. The whole of the action takes place in or around a railway terminal, a replica of which was built by the producers. errors is immensely enhanced by the moving panorama of life that accompanies it, but never becomes confused with it. This reviewer’s delight in ‘Union Depot”’ —he is assured—will be shared by all who see it—-and everybody, young and old, should see it. It makes the world seem a better place to live in. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Joan Blondéll soho are delighting_____________. Theatre audiences with their performances in “Union Depot. SCREEN’S NEWEST LOVE TEAM Dna day of run “Union Depot’’ Had Prop Men Running In Circles Hand props, the things people carry in their hands when they travel, had to be supplied by the hundreds for the three thousand extra and bit players who appear briefly or more or less continuously in ‘Union Depot,”’ the latest First National picture featuring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Joan Blondell now at the ...... eae obec PICAERe sated tees ae pia Almost the entire story is told inside the confines of a great railway station and practically everyone in or passing through a depot has a bundle or article in his-or her hands. ; Umbrellas, canes, books and boxes of candy, bird cages and the meat for din ner, purses and pocket lighters, cigars and cameras, time tables and telegrams, carpet bags and packages wrapped in newspapers, bananas and baby bottles, violin cases and. golf bags, newspapers and ‘Pullman tickets, ear trumpets and cork legs, lap dogs and hip flasks; all of these and many more were included in the supply of “‘hand props’? which property man Scotty gathered for this one picture. Some of them have a vital bearing on the development of the story. All of them will be seen, momentarily at least, in the finished version of ‘Union Depot.” _ Cut No.4 Cut joc Mat roc oDrd day of run Broadway Stage Lures Young Doug As Next World To Conquer Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., now delighting erowds! vat. thes). .fc se Theatre in “Union Depot,” the First National and Vitaphone picture, his third — starring vehicle—is stage-struck and admits it. Sooner or later he will no doubt manoeuver himself into a chance for a try in a legitimate stage appearance in New York. He has already been seen on_ the west coast in several plays, with gratifying results. They include ‘Young Woodley,” “‘Saturday’s Children,”’ ‘‘The ~Youngest”’ and ‘‘The Man in Possession.’’ “| have played in more than thirty pictures,” Doug reminded his interviewer, “and in only four or five stage plays. “John Barrymore once told me | couldn’t appreciate the fun of making pictures, until after | had experienced the hardships of the stage. It was he who got me my role in ‘Young Woodley.’ | can tell Mr. Barrymore that one never really enjoys the excitement of a stage performance, until one has endured the monotony of picture-making.”’ , This does not mean that Fairbanks is not interested in pictures. The gusto with which he plays his rowdy and romantic light comedy role in ‘‘Union Depot’’ precludes any such inference. Joan Blondell, who is leading lady, acquits herself with charm and wit, and each member of the large support is well-chosen. Alfred E. Green again achieves distinction in his direction of ‘‘Union Depot.’” Aun day of run. Doug, At Twenty-Four, Has Become Adept In Widely Diverse Arts < Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., now at the SN PSancuitace. < Lneatre sin“ -Unien Depot,” the First National and Vitaphone production which is his third starring vehicle — though but twenty-four, has become skilled in an amazing number of the arts. Appearing with equal success on stage and screen, he has been seen in French versions of many plays... His terse biographies of famous people, as well as articles in prose, and clever bits of verse, have appeared in the magazines. He paints, works in clay, plays the piano, sings well, flies, boxes, fences, swims, dances and is a clever conversationalist. It is his ambition not only to be an actor, but a director, and in due time, a producer of plays and pictures. It is this quality of aliveness, together with a keen ' «sense of*humor, much good will, and ab solute freedom from conceit, which have made him so heartily liked by the thea _ tre-going millions. Happily married to the beautiful Joan Crawford, secure in the \ * \ ra: + : \ enviable position which he has won by his own efforts, free to follow whatever new dream possesses him—hale young Doug is a lad to be envied. “Union Depot’’ provides him with one of those rollicking happy-go-lucky roles, in which he—and his father before him —are so delightful. The large supporting cast is headed by lovely Joan Blondell. Others are Guy Kibbee, Alan Hale, George Rosener, David Landau, Mary Doran, Rita Flynn, Polly Walters, Ruth Hall, Mae Madison, Lillian. Bond, George MacFarlane, Earle Fox, Louis: King, Frank McHugh, Spencer Charters, Ben Taggart and Robert Romans. The distinguished direction is by Alfred E. Green. oD th day of run Author Praises “Union Depot” With Doug, Jr., And Joan Blondell Unaccustomed as it is to kind words, Hollywood the miracle-maker is slightly flabbergasted by the miracle of an author praising a producer. Looking it over, the thing seems something like a supermiracle or an epic. The author is Walter De Leon, Saturday Evening Post writer and sometime playwright. The producer is the Warner Bros.-First National combination. De Leon sought and obtained permission to visit the gigantic railway station set which is the locale of ‘‘Union Depot,”’ now.at.the: 2. et Theatre, with Doug. Fairbanks, Jr., and a cast of ninety headed by Joan Blondell. He naturally expected that nothing would be right about the setting in which “his brain child was to be-cradled. The size of the set (the largest interior ever built in Hollywood) appalled and delighted him. He scampered around the 200 x 150 foot place, expressing pleasure as he noted the replicas of lunchroom, telegraph office, newsstand, gown shops, flower shops, etc. De Leon and Kenyon Nicholson adapted “Union Depot’ from the play by Douglas Durken, Joe Laurie, Jr., and Gene Fowler. Oi: day of run Joan Blondell In Big Demand By Movie Producers | Joan Blondell is very much in demand by the directors at the First National studios these days. While still immersed in the production of ‘‘Blonde Crazy,’’ in which she was featured with Jimmy Cagney, calls for her were coming thick and fast. For a time it looked as if she would step into ‘Taxi!’ in which Cagney had the lead, but Alfred E. Green persuaded J. L. Warner that she would be better suited in the role opposite Douglas Fair @ banks in ‘Union Depot,’’? which is draw ing large crowds to the .............. Green, who directed young Doug’s pic ture, won out. Loretta Young was given the role originally planned for the blonde Miss Blondell in ‘‘Taxi!’’ ‘Union Depot” was originally submitted as a play under the same title by Gene Fowler and Joe Laurie, Jr. The adaptation was made by Kenyon Nicholson and Walter De Leon. PROGRAM SHORTS. Today Ends Record Run Of Doug’s “Union Depot” “Union Depot,” the First National and Vitaphone production starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and featuring Joan Blondell, ends its successful local engagement with today’s performances. It is the consensus of opinion that Douglas gives his most delightful characterization as Chic, the adventurous and romantic hobo of ‘‘Union Depot.” Blonde Joan Blondell is pert, on occasion pathetic, and altogether charming, as the stranded actress the highstepping hero champions. Alfred E. Green has directed with fine appreciation of the varying moods of remance, comedy and melodrama in ‘‘Union Depot.” Fairbanks And Blondell Triumph In “Union Depot” Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., as star, and Joan Blondell as his leading lady, give a fine verve to the thrilling and romantic -— sequences of the intensely human comedy ~ of errors, ‘‘Union Depot,’’ the First National and Vitaphone production, now showing: at thes. 4.5 -seccca. Theatre. All the exciting scenes occur in and about the vast railway station, with its hodgepodge of rich and poor, young and old, amusing and pathetic travelers. These characters provide the rich background for the brief romance of the lovable hero and heroine. Six Assistant Directors Handled “Union Depot’’ Crowds Six assistant directors were needed to handle the crowd-in the largest set ever built at Warner Brothers-First National studios, that for ‘‘Union Depot,’’ which features Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., with Joan Blondell and an all-star cast at the BEERS SB RS CES A, Theatre this week. Al Green, director of the picture, estimates that the saving to the company in time and money on the gigantic set, em-+ ploying as it did, thousands of extras, was the equivalent of at least five extra days of shooting. zi Page Nine