When Hanks and his son arrive in Chicago, Hanks leaves his son in a room full of people reading newspapers. My question is, where was this room and why did it exist? It seems as though it was a place exclusively for people to sit and read a paper, not waiting for anything. Was this a common thing in 30's America?
shareWatching it back I still can't really tell what it is. I thought it was some kind of waiting area at a train station where Mike Sr told his son to wait to keep him safe (in the middle of a crowded room). As for everyone reading a newspaper, I just wondered if that was for aesthetic purposes since it really emphasised Mike Jr's isolation.
Maybe try and find the script? It might tell you where the scene takes place.
According to the director's commentary it is the reading room at the Chicago Public Library where the poor could go to stay warm. He said it was based on a photograph he had seen.
- Found this with Google Image:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1n20BRVYX60/T_JvM7z6EjI/AAAAAAAAJ50/ufEyQig1 bDI/s400/morbidreadingroom1911.jpg