MovieChat Forums > Spellbound (1945) Discussion > 'Both of you are going?' Question from T...

'Both of you are going?' Question from Train Conductor


When the 2 stars are kissing in front of the train conductor, they give him the tickets and he says something like, "Both of you are going??" I didn't understand that. And then at the end the conductor sees them again and has a questionable/shocked look on his face and the movie ends. I don't understand why he was so confused and why he said that. Anyone else have this question and/or answer?

reply

There were various couples in the scene, kissing goodbye to their respective partners. The conductor is under the impression that John and Constance are likewise engaged in a farewell kiss and expects only one or the other to board. It is their seemingly superfluous kissing that has astounded the conductor so.

reply

Ohhh ok I didn't get that he thought they were kissing goodbye. I think I understand now. Thanks for clearing it up.

reply

You're welcome.

reply

Ah, that makes sense.

Movies I've seen in 2010: http://www.flixster.com/movie-list/2010-movies-6

reply

hihihi15 and neverjac: The man taking tickets at the gate to the train platform was a gateman, not a conductor. (Note the label to that effect on the front of his cap.) The conductor and his assistants (today called "assistant conductors", back then typically called "trainmen" or "brakemen") would at that point have been in the train cars, getting ready for the trip. Somewhat similar to the way in which, when you board a plane, the people who take your boarding pass are gate agents, not flight attendants.

It is true that there were and are many American train stations, mostly small- or medium-sized ones, where it was and/or is the practice for the conductor and certain other onboard crew members to stand outside the train, or even stand at a small desk in the station near the boarding gate, and inspect the tickets of boarding passengers. At a number of really large stations, though, it was and/or is the practice for that function to be performed by a separate class of employees.

reply

[deleted]