Comments on: The Secret History of Chicago Movies: Union Station

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:11:41 +0000

Mitchell, thanks for reminding me of The Beginning of the End. My wife and I went on a Chicago movie pub crawl last summer sponsored by the Chicago History Museum. The tour guide mentioned The Beginning of the End as a film that had some great shots of the Wrigley Building. I’ll have to track it down and make it the subject of a future “Secret History” post!

By: Mitchell Brown

Mitchell Brown — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:54:59 +0000

Hello again. Have been enjoying your blog immensely. There is quite a strange little sci-fi film from the late 50s in which giant locust attack the City of Big Shoulders. It’s called The Beginning of the End. Mike and the Robots do it total justice on Mystery Science Theater 3000, and it is not really a Chicago movie per se, but one that you might like to have a look at just to see what Hollywood’s image of a hysterical Heartland would look like.

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 15:04:37 +0000

Mark, thanks for commenting. You are correct that it appears to be a universal, hybridized city. However, I still say that it resembles Chicago more than any other: where else can you get off at Union Station and get on the ‘El’ within a short walking distance?

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 03:43:40 +0000

I’m not sure the film is actually meant to be situated in Chicago? The city itself is never named, and I get the impression that instead we are supposed to image that it’s one of those anonymous metropolitan areas like the “Center City” (L.A.) of The Street with No Name, that we could imagine as your home town or mine. There’s a New York argument as well, that Joyce boards her train, the local 42, from West Hampton, about 75 miles outside of Manhattan. New York had stockyards as well, though they didn’t survive the fifties. Nevertheless, the stockyards in this film are the old L.A. Union Stockyards — oil derricks and palm trees in the background of all those shots. So Holden jumps off the Chicago El and into the L.A. cattle pens — we’ve got to hand it to Hollywood!

By: Zach D.

Zach D. — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:31:45 +0000

I’ve actually done the Big Lebowski and the White Russian combo before, but I do like your idea. Make it so!

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:11:07 +0000

You just gave me an idea. Perhaps one day I’ll host an alcoholic film festival – pairing movies with the drinks that are prominently consumed in them. The Big Lebowski and the White Russian, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and the gin martini, Blue Velvet and Pabst Blue Ribbon . . . . the possibilities are endless.

By: Zach D.

Zach D. — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:00:09 +0000

Edit: Trying to wait patiently.

By: Zach D.

Zach D. — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:59:26 +0000

I am trying wait patiently!

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:56:49 +0000

As soon as you turn 21, young man!

By: Zach D.

Zach D. — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:13:23 +0000

Great write-up. I hope to try that recipe one day!