The Talk of the Town

I love old movies. The older the better. I also prefer to own, rather than to stream. Yes, the sound quality, and the picture quality, can be poor as compared to current standards, but if you know about the history of the equipment used to create the film; the fragile type of the film itself; the condition in which they were likely stored; and the quality of speakers and recording equipment which were used at the time; then you will not be bothered by the poor sound/picture quality at all. You will simply feel that the poor sound quality is a normal part of the viewing experience.It is completely unfair to judge an antique by modern standards. Instead, focus on the story, the filming techniques, the costumes, the furnishings, the architecture, the dialog, and the historical social significance of the film.It is also completely unfair to judge the past by present values. Are there offensive bits in old films which would never be tolerated today? Most probably, but why be offended when you can just as easily choose to understand how far we have come? In some respects we have come far, socially. In other respects, we have seriously digressed. I also like to see the contrast in the ways society has devolved as compared to the time in which they made these old films. Why bother watching historical films, if you don’t learn from them?PROS:Condition as expected. I enjoyed it.CONS:As in most antique media: Contents are sometimes in random order. Often menus don’t work. Usually you have to resize the aspect at which they are played. I consider these all to be a “normal” part of the experience.COMPS:As compared to modern films, adjust your level of expectation. When you approach them in this way, you will not be disappointed.VERDICT:Met or exceeded my expectations. Good/great value for money.I hope you found this information helpful. Have a great day! ~Savvy Shopper

Ronald Coleman, at the end of his career, is still a great leading man. In this movie he is in competition with Cary Grant. In the end, Cary gets the girl--the ever delightful (except in westerns, in my opinion) Jean Arthur. Actually, the director filmed two endings, one for each hero and asked early audiences which they preferred. Cary won, but I would have voted the other way.I especially liked the very moving speech Ronald Coleman (playing a Supreme Court nominee) gives the jury. It is a classic.

George Stevens' 'The Talk Of The Town' is an absolute paradigm of great filmmaking. a perfect ensemble in casting directed by a giant in the film industry. this film was an early "gem" from director George Stevens. the premise, the acting and direction are all superb. this one will have engrossed throughout.it's very disparaging to realize that films such as this aren't produced anymore. nothing by modern standards is even remotely comparable to this rare classic. the subleminal moral tones that are integrated throughout are stimulating in an era in which profanity, graphic violence and explicit sexual innuendo have become such a common integral part of today's films.i am 41 years old and i have been endeared to the classics since i was 18. i am proud of this nation's golden era of filmmaking in which integrity, honesty and morality were the foundational elements in films such as this.as for the DVD, the print is not dismally poor quality as one reviewer has stated. it is not pristine but is not atrociously inferior either. it is a very watchable version of a true classic. the sound is excellent. all classic film lovers should definitely buy this one!!!

Love everything about this film actors are real stars

Fairly good. I didnt care for the end

This situation comedy - sometimes mistakenly tagged a screwball comedy - is a delight. Like most stories of the sort, getting out of the situation is not as smoothly handled as the thing itself, so while the first two-thirds of the film are brilliantly funny, the last third seems comparatively earth-bound. At its best, the film is Jean Arthur at her best: lines delivered with perfect timing and pitch, moving (bounding) with the vigour and conviction of a child, one moment winsome, the next wise-cracking and feisty. Cary Grant and Ronald Colman also give great performances in roles a little outside their usual fare. The script is knowing and very witty, and George Stevens' direction is always assurred. If, as seems, the DVD transfer lets this classic down, then what a pity - because new generations should be able to enjoy a fine film like this to the best advantage.

(3.95 stars) This 1942 movie runs just short of 2 hours. I thought it was a bit long but it mostly held my interest. Cary Grant is falsely accused of a crime and a well known law professor and local lady friend (Jean Arthur) try to prove him innocent. However, the law professor, played by Ronald Colman, is very straight-laced and not open to playing fast and loose with the law, even if it's to protect an innocent man. I thought it was pretty good but just ever so short of 4 stars.

I had never seen this movie before, but during the pandemic, I have purchased a lot of vintage Hollywood on DVD, this being one of them. I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish.

...just or not!The Talk of the Town is directed by George Stevens, who co-produces with Fred Guiol, and adapted by Dale Van Every, Irwin Shaw and Sidney Buchman from a story by Sidney Harmon. It stars Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Ronald Colman, Rex Ingram and Edgar Buchanan.Leopold Dilg (Grant), a radical and political thinking man, is accused of burning down a mill and causing the death of a foreman in the subsequent fire. On trial for his life, he decides to escape from jail and makes his way to the home of his school day friend Nora Shelley (Arthur). However, his timing couldn't be worse, for Nora has taken in a tenant for the summer, a law professor, Michael Lightcap (Colman). Passing him off as the gardener, Nora has to hope that Lightcap doesn't cop on to Dilg being an escaped prisoner. But with both men feeling each other out, and both having designs on Nora, something is going to have to give.Tho nominated in seven Academy Award categories, The Talk of the Town won none. Perhaps more surprisingly is that of those seven nominations, none were for acting or direction. Surprising because the film is impeccably acted and smoothly directed. It was, however, rightly nominated for Best Picture (it lost out to William Wyler's Mrs. Miniver) and was a big smash at the box office. Where the public quickly warmed to its blend of comedy with intelligent politico musings. The set up is safe, a potential love triangle, with the three leads playing off each other sublimely, is nicely played out whilst the two men partake in discussions about the law, its applications and its worth. While the comedy that comes in fits and starts, is not so much of the screwball variety, but more ebullience born out of beautifully written sequences. Some argue that the plot is heavily reliant on contrivances (how many 40s comedies aren't?), I say that is easily forgiven given the quality on show across the board. 8/10

Three of the most charming stars - Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman -ever to grace the screen, combine, without any scene-stealing, to make Talk of the Townan essential addition to any classic movie collection.The screenplay - by Irwin Shaw and Sidney Buchman is word perfect,the pace is fast, and the performances are as good as anything this trio of talent didduring their careers.Director George Stevens must be given full recognition for the way he handled a genre thathe'd virtually abandoned by the late 1940s.

Considering I had not even heard of this film before I bought it, it has quickly become one of my favourite Grant films, and I've seen a lot of them! It never appears on TV and considering the cast this is hard to understand. I am a fan of all three leads and they work wonderfully together. It's an unusual role for Grant and he carries it off very well as does Colman in the stuffy professor role. It is a mix of comedy and drama but I think they blend well. I would certainly say it is one of the best films of these three actors.

My mother loved Ronald Coleman and I do too.My husband and I watched this film the other rainy afternoon and had the best laugh for years. The old ones are the best.A real 'feel good' film. they certainly DON'T make 'em like this anymore!

A+ speedy delivery. Entertaining film. Just as described. Very pleased. Thank you.