Tales of Manhattan (1942)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Julien Duvivier

Writers:

Henry Blankfort (writer)
Alan Campbell (writer)

Release Date:

24 September 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

An Experience You'll never forget !

Plot:

An actor, Paul Orman, is accidentally told that his new, custom made tail coat has been cursed and it will bring misfortune to all who wear it...

Plot Keywords:

Coat | Actor | Audition | Whistling | Transformation

Cast

Charles Boyer	...	Paul Orman
Rita Hayworth	...	Ethel Halloway
Ginger Rogers	...	Diane
Henry Fonda	...	George
Charles Laughton	...	Charles Smith
Edward G. Robinson	...	Avery L. 'Larry' Browne
Paul Robeson	...	Luke
Ethel Waters	...	Esther
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson	...	Rev. Lazarus
Thomas Mitchell	...	John Halloway
Eugene Pallette	...	Luther - Orman's butler
Cesar Romero	...	Harry Wilson
Gail Patrick	...	Ellen - Diane's friend
Roland Young	...	Edgar - Wilson's butler
Marion Martin	...	'Squirrel'

Also Known As:

Stars Over Manhattan (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

118 min | 127 min (restored version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:15 | USA:Unrated

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

W.C. Fields appeared in a section of the film that was cut from film that was cut from the final version. It has been restored to the video version. Also in the segment are Margaret Dumont and Phil Silvers.

Quotes:

George: I know my own tailcoat!
Diane: Well, you didn't last night!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986)

Soundtrack:

Far Above Cayuga's Waters

some parts are very good, some parts are great==overall an exceptional flick

This movie is made up of many vignettes featuring many capable stars--all centering on the same second-hand tuxedo as it is passed on from one owner to the next. I won't try to elaborate on all the segments, as one of the previous reviewers did a very thorough job of describing them. However, they are all extremely well-crafted and engaging. I would also agree that stylistically, this film is reminiscent of IF I HAD A MILLION, though the stories in Tales of Manhattan are generally less funny but more polished.

The one portion of the movie that really stood out for me was the one featuring the down-and-out Edward G. Robinson attending his college class reunion (from Harvard, I think). He goes in a tattered old hand-me-down tux hoping to fool his old chums into thinking he's made it in life. You really feel for the guy in his plight--especially when a mean-spirited member of the class seeks to expose the ruse! So give it a try, why don't ya?