Noir City: Union Station
February 17, 2024
Cops William Holden and Barry Fitzgerald race to foil a kidnapping plot in Chicago’s Union Station. The film packs a double-feature’s worth of thrills into its brief running time, including some brutality decades ahead of its time. Director Rudolph Maté makes the ride more vivid through use of actual locations.
Individual Tickets: $16 | $11 SIFF Members - Select showtime to purchase
Passes: $150 | $125 SIFF Members
SIFF year-round passes and vouchers are not valid for this screening.
Related Event
Noir City: Book Signing with Eddie Muller
Celebrate the release of Czar of Noir Eddie Muller’s new book, “Eddie Muller’s Noir Bar,” with this special book signing event in partnership with University Book Store on Saturday, February 17 from 5:00pm to 5:45pm. Copies of the book will be available on site for sale, along with other Film Noir Foundation merchandise.
“If you see something, say something.” That’s what Joyce Willecombe (Nancy Olson) does when she notices a pair of suspicious men in the bustle of Chicago’s Union Station, igniting a suspenseful attempt to foil a kidnapping plot—as well as a potential romance with the cop in charge (William Holden). Union Station packs a double feature’s worth of thrills into its brief running time, including some Dirty Harry–style brutality that was a couple of decades ahead of its time. Ace crime scenarist Sydney Boehm keeps the plot humming like a runaway train and a pair of visual stylists, director (and renowned cinematographer) Rudolph Maté and actual DP Daniel L. Fapp, make the ride more vivid through use of actual locations. Although set in Chicago, Los Angeles’ Union Station served for the interiors. Barry Fitzgerald gives a nasty edge to the elfin Irishman he typically played, and Lyle Bettger is terrifying as leader of the kidnapping gang.—Film synopsis courtesy of Noir City
- Director: Rudolph Maté
- Principal Cast: William Holden, Nancy Olson, Barry Fitzgerald, Lyle Bettger
- Country: USA
- Year: 1950
- Running Time: 81 min.
- Producer: Jules Schermer
- Screenplay: Sydney Boehm
- Cinematographers: Daniel L. Fapp
- Editors: Ellsworth Hoagland
- Music: Heinz Roemheld
- Filmography: The Black Shield of Falworth (1954), Gilda (1946)
- Language: English
- US Distributor: Paramount Pictures