The Station Master (1941)

A beloved Czech comedy classic in which a roguish stowaway stumbles into a stationmaster's uniform and chaos ensues.

The Station Master - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Přednosta stanice
  • Release Year: 1941
  • Directed by: Jan Sviták
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Comedy
  • Runtime: 1h 28m
  • Original Language: Czech
  • Spoken Languages: Czech
  • Release Date (Theatrical): April 12, 1941 (XC)
  • Production Companies: Brom-film
  • Production Countries: Czechoslovakia

The Station Master - Plot

Vlasta Burian, as a stowaway, disrupts the disciplined operation of a railway station. Mr. Ťopka gives the impression of a gentleman, somewhat Chaplin-like. He makes a living by doing odd jobs, for which he exclusively rides the train as a stowaway. During one of his trips, he meets the feared railway inspector general Kokrhel. At a small station, he manages to get out and change into the stationmaster's uniform. However, he cannot avoid meeting Inspector Kokrhel...

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The Station Master - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Jan Sviták

Main Cast

  • Vlasta Burian
  • Antonín Zacpal
  • Zita Kabátová
  • Jaroslav Marvan
  • Čeněk Šlégl
  • Růžena Šlemrová
  • Václav Trégl
  • Theodor Pištěk
  • Marie Norrová
  • Darja Hajská

Writers

  • Václav Wasserman

The Station Master - FAQs

Where can you watch The Station Master online?

Streaming availability for The Station Master varies by region. You can check JustWatch for the most up-to-date list of platforms currently offering the film in your country, including any rental, purchase, or subscription options available near you.

Who plays the lead role in The Station Master?

Vlasta Burian plays the central role of Mr. Ťopka, a charming stowaway who impersonates a stationmaster. Burian was one of the most celebrated Czech comedic actors of his era, often compared to Charlie Chaplin for his expressive, physical style of performance.

What is The Station Master about?

The Station Master follows Mr. Ťopka, a Chaplin-esque drifter who survives by riding trains as a stowaway. After a chance encounter with a feared railway inspector general, he disguises himself in a stationmaster's uniform at a small station, setting off a chain of comic complications.

Is The Station Master based on a true story?

No, The Station Master is not based on a true story. It is an original Czech comedy written by Václav Wasserman, crafted as a vehicle for the comedic talents of Vlasta Burian, drawing on classic slapstick and mistaken-identity traditions popular in European cinema of the 1930s and 1940s.

When was The Station Master released?

The Station Master was released on April 12, 1941, in Czechoslovakia. It was produced by Brom-film and directed by Jan Sviták, premiering during a particularly turbulent period in Czech history under wartime occupation.

Who directed The Station Master?

The Station Master was directed by Jan Sviták. The film was produced by Brom-film in Czechoslovakia and written by Václav Wasserman, with cinematography by Jaroslav Tuzar and music composed by Jára Beneš.

What language is The Station Master in?

The Station Master is in Czech. It is a Czechoslovak production originally intended for Czech-speaking audiences, and remains a notable example of Czech comedic filmmaking from the early 1940s.

How long is The Station Master film?

The Station Master has a runtime of 88 minutes, making it a compact and briskly paced comedy. Its tight running time keeps the mistaken-identity plot moving at an energetic clip, well-suited to the physical and verbal comedy style of its lead performer.

More About The Station Master

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