Magic Town (1947)

An opinion pollster finds a town which is a perfect mirror of U.S. opinions.

Director:

William A. Wellman

Writers:

Robert Riskin (story), Joseph Krumgold (story),

Stars:

James Stewart, Jane Wyman, Kent Smith

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Stewart	...	Rip Smith
Jane Wyman	...	Mary Peterman
Kent Smith	...	Hoopendecker
Ned Sparks	...	Ike
Wallace Ford	...	Lou Dicketts
Regis Toomey	...	Ed Weaver
Ann Doran	...	Mrs. Weaver
Donald Meek	...	Mr. Twiddle
E.J. Ballantine	...	Moody
Ann Shoemaker	...	Ma Peterman
Mickey Kuhn	...	Hank Nickleby
Howard Freeman	...	Nickleby
Harry Holman	...	Mayor
Mary Currier	...	Mrs. Frisby
Mickey Roth	...	Bob Peterman

Storyline

Rip Smith's opinion-poll business is a failure...until he discovers that the small town of Grandview is statistically identical to the entire country. He and his assistants go there to run polls cheaply and easily, in total secrecy (it would be fatal to let the townsfolk get self-conscious). And of course, civic crusader Mary Peterman must be kept from changing things too much. But romantic involvement with Mary complicates life for Rip; then suddenly everything changes...

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Plot Keywords:

opinion | poll | small town | collateral effect | exploitation | 

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Taglines:

The guy with the dynamite heart meets the girl with the firecracker eyes!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

't stond in de krant

Filming Locations:

Chico, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Robert Riskin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on January 6, 1950 with James Stewart reprising his film role.

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Quotes

Mary Peterman: The air becomes charged with electricity around desperate men.

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Soundtracks

"MY BOOK OF MEMORY"
(originally "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen")
Music by Thomas Payne Westendorf (uncredited)
Lyric: Edward Heyman
Sung by chorus with brief solos by Jane Wyman (uncredited)

User Reviews

A charming little movie

Certainly not one of the great comedies, but charming and rather whimsical in its own way. In this day and age of raucous and crude humour (if you can call it that), a movie like "Magic Town" will probably seem hopelessly old-fashioned and dated, but for those who prefer a quieter and more gentle humour, "Magic Town" will fill the bill very nicely. Very Frank Capra-like (not surprisingly since screenwriter Robert Riskin collaborated with Capra numerous times), "Magic Town" reminds us of a by-gone era, a time when living in a small town meant knowing your neighbours, pride in your community, and the moral values of common decency and humility were still part of everyday life. James Stewart as the pollster who discovers a town full of people whose opinions exactly mirror the national thinking gives his customary good performance, as does Jane Wyman as the newspaper publisher who wants to see change in the town. Many well-known character actors (Kent Smith, Wallace Ford, Ann Shoemaker and particularly Ned Sparks) provide capable support. A slight offering, perhaps, but quite worthwhile.