Union Station at 75: Still in the Hearts of L.A. & the Movies
New York City’s Penn Station may be larger, certainly busier, and Chicago’s version the midway hub for rail traffic spreading out to all parts of the U.S., but our beloved Union Station remains the pride and joy of the bustling sprawling city Angelenos call home. As do I. While the youngest of the big city train stations, it retains a distinct and venerable charm for wayfarers and admirers of fine architecture. As Skift.com put it,
“Opened in May 1939, Los Angeles Union Station is marked by colorful tiles, shady arcades, fountains and towering palms—the epitome of Southern California glamour.”
Indeed. One of the great train stations of the country turns 75 today — wish I’d look this good if/when I reach that age. The Los Angeles Union Station, first built on the 3rd of May 1939, attained that capstone by its unique building design and key central location. Historic Olvera Street, the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, a stone’s throw nearby.
In a metropolis filled with new and fashionable edifices crowding out those of its bygone era, this rail destination remains one of the most beautiful structures around. A marriage of Spanish Colonial and Streamline Moderne styles that just never gets old. Check out this splendid travel video for more looks at what makes that so:
No doubt, it’s the prime reason the grand station has been the shooting location site for so many television programs/movies and feature films through the years. Too many to mention, but those listed below would be some my favorites. Heck, even Fiona Apple filmed a music video in its Fred Harvey room.
For a venue I never tire of, Happy Birthday, Union Station.
1950
Of course we’d have to begin with William Holden at you-know-where.
1954
The classic Them! monster flick filmed this scene at Union Station’s rail yard.
1972
The underrated Robert Culp/Walter Hill neo-noir began its tale at Union Station.
1973
Arguing a marriage away at LAUS
1976
Stormy skies over Union Station should have been a warning to Gene Wilder
1978
Walter Hill brings The Driver to Union Station.
1981
Looking from Olvera Street to Union Station
1982
Rigby Reardon (Steve Martin) is followed onto a train at Union Station by Cary Grant (spliced with a clip from Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion)
Union Station standing in as 2019 police station
1985
Nabbing a suspect (he never should have) in the train station
1991
Welcome to L.A. (Union Station)
2006
L.A. Union Station interior standing in for the ‘Miami Mutual Bank’.
2009
Going to Hell in style
It Rains... You Get Wet 
16 Responses to “Union Station at 75: Still in the Hearts of L.A. & the Movies”
Great post, Michael. What a beautiful place! Didn’t recognize it from DMTH or Blade Runner!
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It’s a great place, all right. First taken as a kid to drop off or pick up someone in the family long ago, and it’s fascinated me ever since. Many thanks, Fernando 🙂
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Now on my list of places to visit 🙂
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🙂
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It looks great just walking through on the way to the metro or subway. The lighting is amazing at any time of day.
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Oh, yes. Makes me want to take the Expo line and head there for the fun of arriving at LAUS. Thanks, Richard 🙂
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I wasn’t even aware of the existence of Union Station until I happened across your post but it looks like a striking and timeless location.
I’d imagine walking into the building feels like stepping into a scene from a film noir from the golden age of Hollywood.
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Welcome, Paul :-). Yeah, it’s a special place, all right.
Wonderfully put! Many thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Much appreciated.
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I LOVE this, what a beautiful tribute to an iconic location. I was gonna submit it to reddit but turns out you already did so I upvoted it 😀 I remembered it in Blade Runner from the ones I’ve seen but I’m sure I’ve seen it in others, I just didn’t know it was the Union Station.
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Thank you very kindly, Ruth. For the read and comment, as well as the up vote 🙂 As always, you are most generous. Next time you’re in town, we must go there!
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Oh I definitely will! Hopefully we can meet up next time I’m in L.A. too 😀
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Great post! I adore Union Station and make a point of going whenever I am in L.A. Which, sadly, is not overly often but I still do not miss a chance to visit whenever I am there.
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And, oh yeah, I’ve always said May babies are the best babies. 😉
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How right you are! 🙂
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It’s a grand and beautiful destination, Rachel. Of course, now we’d have to jet you in from the southern hemisphere, first ;-). Thanks!
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[…] Featuring L.A.’s Union Station; plus, an aspect heralded in A Hard Day’s […]
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