The Talk of the Town

What a great movie! The cover for the tape looks like Mount Rushmore, and that is no exaggeration. Cary Grant AND Ronald Colman, who could ask for more? The story is humorous is a subtle way, and just as subtly romantic. This movie doesn't hit you over the head, but strongly looks at the use and abuse of the law in the United States. There is nothing objectionable in this movie, so you can watch it with small children, though it will probably prove too slow moving for them.

I recommend this movie absolutely!


A great screwball comedy with Grant, Arthur and Colman   September 2, 2001
Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

In the classic screwball comedy "Talk of the Town," Ronald Colman plays Michael Lightcap, a dry, by-the-book law professor who rents the house of school Nora Shelley, played by Jean Arthur, who happens to be harboring a fugitive from justice, Leopold Dilg, played by Cary Grant. Nora passes off Leopold as her gardener, which confuses Professor Lightcap. Judicial corruption and the wacky ways of American justice are satirized, which is a bit depressing when you realize it is 1942 and already things are pretty sad. As Leopold says at one point: "What is the law? It's a gun pointed at somebody's head. All depends upon which end of the gun you stand, whether the law is just or not." Certainly the idea that the less privileged deserve a fair deal is more popular today than it was then, but you would not say this film is really dated in that regard. All three principles turn in great comic performances. Glenda Farrell plays a woman who helps the professor find the real arsonist, and Edgar Buchanan, Charles Dingle and Emma Dunn all have choice supporting roles to play in the proceedings. The crackling dialogue in the script by Dale Van Every, Irwin Shaw and Sidney Buchman from Sidney Harmon's story is excellent but director George Stevens gets the highest marks, mainly because you do not think of him as doing this type of comedy.


Delightful, funny, endearing   November 5, 1999
Ralph H. Boedeker (Delaware)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

This film is incredibly entertaining. Jean Arthur, Cary Grant and Ron Coleman made a great trio in this must-see film. It is films like "The Talk of the Town" and all the rest of the classic films of yesturday which should absolutely shame the immoral, tactless and untalented film industry of today.


Review of Talk of The Town   June 13, 2001
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Talk of the Town is a wonderful film that examines practical versus theoretical application of the law. I first rented this film expecting it to be a light comedy, but it does a great job combining comedy with thought provoking discussions of the role of law in society. All three lead actors do a great job maintaining comic and romantic tension in the film, and it is one of Cary Grant's best performances.


I LOVED IT   December 8, 1999
Scott Barkley (Carmel,California)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is a witty comedy,full of some wonderful bon mots that dot the clever dialog, and essayed with zest by Grant, Arthur and Colman. Grant takes refuge in Arthur's house along with professor Colman. Cary was framed for arson by a corrupt local government, and what's more, the foreman (who supposedly died in the blaze) is very much alive (in the form of Colman!) George Stevens directs his cast well, handling the double-edged story with grace and style.This film was a hit with the public in 1942, and it gave Colman's career a much needed boost.