Runtime: 67 minutes
Directed by: Alfred E. Green
Starring: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Joan Blondell, Guy Kibbee, Alan Hale, David Landau
From: Warner Bros.
Wanting a change of pace and a short 67 minute runtime meant that last night was the time for me to check out a Pre-Code effort I've heard swell things about from a few different folks, and it was praise I agreed with.
It is set in a metropolitan city train station and while many side stories are shown-the majority of them lasting only seconds long-the focus is on two main plots: hobo Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (who has Guy Kibbee as a buddy) stumbles upon a large wad of cash and meets up with chorus girl Joan Blondell, who is on the run trying to avoid a crazed self-professed doctor-who actually was terrifying & had an unforgettable appearance-and detectives looking for a criminal... his crimes won't be revealed here as it does factor into the first plot.
It is an intricate story presented in a clear fashion against a vivid backdrop which is never visually or aurally dull and has plenty of colorful characters present: people of different ethnicities, sailors, drunks, a priest, gypsies, tramps & thieves... it was a vibrant setting and mixed in a few different genres in its 67 minutes. It is not light, fluffy entertainment, despite the presence of some laughs. It has serious drama and a dark undercurrent of the Great Depression running throughout. Yet the movie is never a bummer and in fact was a very good diversion for its brief length, featuring great locations-the action is not just in the station-a quality cast of Warner Brothers regulars and nice direction/cinematography. I should check out movies of this vintage with an increased frequency.
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