Union Pacific (1939)
-
64% of users liked it
(321 ratings)
Cecil B. DeMille takes us back to the 1860s, then rebuilds the first intercontinental railroad in Union Pacific. The real-life spectacle is occasionally interrupted by the fictional adventures of railroad overseer Joel McCrea, postmistress Barbara Stanwyck (with an incredible Irish brogue), and… More Cecil B. DeMille takes us back to the 1860s, then rebuilds the first intercontinental railroad in Union Pacific. The real-life spectacle is occasionally interrupted by the fictional adventures of railroad overseer Joel McCrea, postmistress Barbara Stanwyck (with an incredible Irish brogue), and McCrea's best pal Robert Preston. Unfortunately Preston has fallen in with Brian Donlevy, who is dedicated to destroying the Union Pacific railroad on behalf of a crooked political cartel. During an Indian attack, McCrea and Preston fight side by side to save Stanwyck, prompting Preston to turn honest. On the day in 1869 that the "Golden Spike" is to be driven at Promontory Point, Preston is killed saving McCrea from Donlevy's bullets. Union Pacific owes a great deal to John Ford's 1924 film on the same subject, The Iron Horse, even restaging one or two major action sequences from the earlier film. This DeMille spectacular was a big hit with audiences of 1939, who craved a booster shot of flag-waving now and again. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Cecil B. DeMille
- Written By
- Ernest Haycox, Jack Cunningham, Walter DeLeon, C. Gardner Sullivan, Jesse Lasky
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- May 5, 1939 Limited
Critic Reviews
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Released in 1939 and boasting patriotic zeal, DeMille's empire-building epic is one of his most impressive pictures, with wonderful performances from Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea at their peak.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It has the grand sweep of a DeMille film.
-
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Rip-snortin', old-fashioned Western, with understated McCrea and hammy Stanwyck a great team.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Barbara Stanwyck
as Mollie Monohan
-
Joel McCrea
as Jeff Butler
-
Akim Tamiroff
as Fiesta
-
Robert Preston
as Dick Allen
-
Brian Donlevy
as Sid Campeau
-
Lynne Overman
as Leach Overmile
-
Anthony Quinn
as Jack Cordray
-
Evelyn Keyes
as Mrs. Calvin
-
Stanley Ridges
as Gen. Casement
-
Regis Toomey
as Paddy O'Rourke
-
Sid Saylor
as Barker
-
J.M. Kerrigan
as Monahan
-
William Haade
as Dusky Clayton
-
Harry Woods
as Al Brett
-
Fuzzy Knight
as Cookie
-
Henry Kolker
as Asa M. Barrows
-
Richard Lane
as Sam Reed
-
Noble Johnson
as Indian
-
Joe Sawyer
as Shamus
-
Harold Goodwin
as E.E. Calvin
-
May Beatty
as Mrs. Hogan
-
Nora Cecil
as Woman
-
Julia Faye
as Mame
-
Ruth Warren
as Mrs. Cassidy
-
Ernie S. Adams
as Gen. Sheridan
- Richard Alexander
- George Anderson
-
Stanley Andrews
as Dr. Harkness
-
Earl Askam
as Bluett
-
Robert H. Barrat
as Duke Ring
-
Monte Blue
as Indian
-
Lon Chaney Jr
as Dollarhide
-
Lane Chandler
as Conductor
-
Chief Thundercloud
as Indian
-
Davison Clark
as Doctor
-
Iron Eyes Cody
as Indian
-
Joseph Crehan
as Gen. U.S. Grant
-
Sheila Darcy
as Rose
- Max Davidson
-
Richard Denning
as Reporter
-
Paul Everton
as Rev. Dr. Tadd
-
James Flavin
as Paddy
-
Byron Foulger
as Andrew Whipple
-
Gus Glassmire
as Gov. Stafford
-
Russell Hicks
as Sergeant
- Robert E. Homans
-
Selmar Jackson
as Jerome
- Si Jenks
- Jane Keckley
- Florence Lake
- Edward J. Le Saint
-
Elmo Lincoln
as Card Player
-
Walter Long
as Irishman
-
Francis McDonald
as Gen. Grenville M. Dodge
- Mary MacLaren
- Wilbur Mack
-
Ray Mala
as Indian
-
John Marston
as Durant railroad V.P.
- Sam McDaniel
-
James M. McNamara
as Mr. Mills
-
John Merton
as Laborer
- Pat Moriarity
- Louis Natheaux
-
David Newell
as Reporter
-
Nestor Paiva
as C.P. Conductor
- Emory Parnell
-
William Pawley
as Dinty
-
James Pierce
as Card Player
- George Regas
- Jack Richardson
-
Willard Robertson
as Oakes Ames
-
Buddy Roosevelt
as Fireman
- Frank Shannon
- Charles Stevens
-
Guy Usher
as Leland Stanford
-
Morgan Wallace
as Sen. Smith
- Stanhope Wheatcroft
- Greg Whitespear
-
William Worthington
as Oliver Ames
-
Frank Yaconelli
as Accordion Player
-
Jack Pennick
as Harmonica Player
- Dutch Hendrian
- Sonny Chorre
- Maude Fealy
-
Tony Urchell
as Indian Brave
