On T List of Movie Reviews

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The Talk of the Town (1942)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 10/24

10/24: Cary Grant was part of many classic films, especially in the screwball comedy genre, and one of them was The Talk of the Town.

It has everything you can look for in a potential Best Picture winner. Ronald Colman and Cary Grant are outstanding, but it's Jean Arthur who steals the show. She has great chemistry with these two guys. Unfortunately, none of them was nominated for an Academy Award. It's not too often that back then a black thespian was offered a real acting role, so kudos to everybody for giving Rex Ingram a chance as the law professor's valet.

The story is interesting with a twist of irony. It's not so much about who gets the lady but whether or not the law professor will take the escaped prisoner's side after hearing his story. At the same time, it's a matter of keeping his identity concealed for as long as possible, hence the screwball effect. From start to finish, the writing is sharp and clever.

All in all, anytime George Stevens is listed as the director in the credits, you can trust the material to be of high quality, and that's the case for The Talk of the Town.

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