The Talk of the Town (1942)
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- Approved
- 1h 58min
- Comedy, Drama
- 20 Aug 1942 (USA)
- Movie
An escaped prisoner must prove his innocence to a stuffy law professor with help from a spirited schoolteacher.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 5 wins.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Cary Grant | ... |
Leopold Dilg
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| Jean Arthur | ... |
Nora Shelley
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| Ronald Colman | ... |
Professor Michael Lightcap
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| Edgar Buchanan | ... |
Sam Yates
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| Glenda Farrell | ... |
Regina Bush
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| Charles Dingle | ... |
Andrew Holmes
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| Emma Dunn | ... |
Mrs. Shelley
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| Rex Ingram | ... |
Tilney
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| Leonid Kinskey | ... |
Jan Pulaski
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| Tom Tyler | ... |
Clyde Bracken
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| Don Beddoe | ... |
Police Chief
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Sam Ash | ... |
Supreme Court Spectator (uncredited)
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| Dorothy Babb | ... |
Schoolgirl Noticing Beard (uncredited)
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| Georgia Backus | ... |
Townswoman (uncredited)
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Holger Bendixen | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| William 'Billy' Benedict | ... |
Western Union Boy (uncredited)
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| Ferike Boros | ... |
Mrs. Pulaski (uncredited)
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| Al Bridge | ... |
Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
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| Lloyd Bridges | ... |
Donald Forrester (uncredited)
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| Leslie Brooks | ... |
Secretary (uncredited)
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| Eddie Bruce | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Jack Carr | ... |
Usher (uncredited)
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Eddie Coke | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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| Gino Corrado | ... |
Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)
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Joe Cunningham | ... |
McGuire (uncredited)
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Lew Davis | ... |
Waiter at Regina's Shop (uncredited)
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| Ralph Dunn | ... |
Cop on Stairs (uncredited)
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| Al Ferguson | ... |
Detective (uncredited)
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| Clyde Fillmore | ... |
Senator James Boyd (uncredited)
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| Joe Garcio | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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Jack Gardner | ... |
Cameraman with Forrester (uncredited)
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| Bud Geary | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| William Gould | ... |
Sheriff with Hounds (uncredited)
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Jay Guedillio | ... |
Man (uncredited)
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Dave Harper | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Edward Hearn | ... |
Sergeant (uncredited)
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Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian | ... |
Mob Member Carrying Rope (uncredited)
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| George Hickman | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Maynard Holmes | ... |
Vendor (uncredited)
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Dick Jensen | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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Robert Keats | ... |
Man (uncredited)
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| Stubby Kruger | ... |
Baseball Player (uncredited)
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William Lally | ... |
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
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Eddie Laughton | ... |
Henry, Photographer (uncredited)
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Jack Low | ... |
Workman (uncredited)
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Herman Marks | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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Jewel McGowan | ... |
Lindy Dancer (uncredited)
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| Joe McGuinn | ... |
Jailer Overpowered by Dilg (uncredited)
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| Frank McLure | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Patrick McVey | ... |
First Policeman (uncredited)
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| Frank Mills | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Clarence Muse | ... |
Supreme Court Doorkeeper (uncredited)
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| Frank O'Connor | ... |
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
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| Blanche Payson | ... |
Supreme Court Spectator (uncredited)
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Charles Perry | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Ralph Peters | ... |
Eddie, Moving Man (uncredited)
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Lee Phelps | ... |
Detective (uncredited)
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Lee Prather | ... |
Sergeant At Arms (uncredited)
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Al Rhein | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Dewey Robinson | ... |
Jake (uncredited)
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| Cy Schindell | ... |
Townsman at Ballgame (uncredited)
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| Dan Seymour | ... |
Headwaiter at Nightclub (uncredited)
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Jack Shea | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Roberta Smith | ... |
Schoolgirl Noticing Beard (uncredited)
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Charles St. George | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Frank Sully | ... |
Policeman in Station Wagon (uncredited)
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| Frank M. Thomas | ... |
District Attorney Scott (uncredited)
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| Mabel Todd | ... |
Operator (uncredited)
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Victor Travis | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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Lelah Tyler | ... |
Townswoman (uncredited)
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| John Tyrrell | ... |
Townsman at Ballgame (uncredited)
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Ralph Volkie | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Max Wagner | ... |
Moving Man (uncredited)
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| Robert Walker | ... |
Deputy Sheriff (uncredited)
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George Watts | ... |
Judge Grunstadt (uncredited)
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| Lee 'Lasses' White | ... |
Hound Keeper (uncredited)
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Directed by
| George Stevens | ||
Written by
| Irwin Shaw | ... | (screen play) & |
| Sidney Buchman | ... | (screen play) |
| Dale Van Every | ... | (adaptation) |
| Sidney Harmon | ... | (based on a story by) |
Produced by
| Fred Guiol | ... | associate producer |
| George Stevens | ... | producer |
Music by
| Friedrich Hollaender | ... | (as Frederick Hollander) |
Cinematography by
| Ted Tetzlaff | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Otto Meyer | ||
Editorial Department
| Paul Borofsky | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| Lionel Banks | ||
Makeup Department
| Rhoda Donaldson | ... | hair stylist (uncredited) |
| Fred B. Phillips | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Norman Deming | ... | assistant director |
| Earl Bellamy | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
| Bud Brill | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Rudolph Sternad | ... | associate art director |
| Fay Babcock | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
| Bill Black | ... | props (uncredited) |
| H. Hopkins | ... | props (uncredited) |
| Reggie Smith | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Eldon Coutts | ... | sound engineer (uncredited) |
| Lodge Cunningham | ... | sound (uncredited) |
Stunts
| William Lally | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Cy Schindell | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Paul Stader | ... | stunt double: Cary Grant (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Fayte M. Browne | ... | second camera operator (uncredited) |
| M.S. Burns | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
| Joe Citron | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Walter Meins | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| John Miehle | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Sam Rosen | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Fred Stoll | ... | grip (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Irene | ... | gowns for Miss Arthur |
| Tom Dawson | ... | wardrobe: men (uncredited) |
| Gail Ducharme | ... | wardrobe: women (uncredited) |
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Morris Stoloff | ... | musical director (as M.W. Stoloff) |
| Daniele Amfitheatrof | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
| Sidney Cutner | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Donald W. Starling | ... | montage effects (as Donald Starling) |
| Jacques Beauchey | ... | french voice dubbing: Tom Tyler (uncredited) |
| Steve Benton | ... | stand-in: Edgar Buchanan (uncredited) |
| Mario Besesti | ... | italian voice dubbing: Edgar Buchanan (uncredited) |
| Rosetta Calavetta | ... | italian voice dubbing: Jean Arthur (uncredited) |
| Giorgio Capecchi | ... | italian voice dubbing: Tom Tyler (uncredited) |
| André Carnège | ... | french voice dubbing: Rex Igram (uncredited) |
| Luce Clément | ... | french voice dubbing: Jean Arthur (uncredited) |
| Olinto Cristina | ... | italian voice dubbing: George Watts (uncredited) |
| Gualtiero De Angelis | ... | italian voice dubbing: Cary Grant (uncredited) |
| Dorothy Dunn | ... | stand-in: Emma Dunn (uncredited) |
| Mrs. Roy Feldman | ... | stand-in: Ferike Boros (uncredited) |
| Ruth Feldman | ... | stand-in: Ferike Boros (uncredited) |
| Gérard Férat | ... | french voice dubbing: Frank F. Thomas (uncredited) |
| Mario Gallina | ... | italian voice dubbing: Rex Ingram (uncredited) |
| Adolfo Geri | ... | italian voice dubbing: Lloyd Bridges (uncredited) |
| Renée Guilhene | ... | french voice dubbing: Glenda Farrell (uncredited) |
| Jack Mannick | ... | stand-in: Leonid Kinskey (uncredited) |
| Augusto Marcacci | ... | italian voice dubbing: Ronald Colman (uncredited) |
| Mal Merrihugh | ... | stand-in: Cary Grant (uncredited) |
| Pierre Michau | ... | french voice dubbing: Charles Dingle (uncredited) |
| Nino Pavese | ... | italian voice dubbing: William Gould (uncredited) |
| Bruno Persa | ... | italian voice dubbing: Frank F. Thomas (uncredited) |
| Amilcare Pettinelli | ... | italian voice dubbing: Clyde Fillmore (uncredited) |
| Buddy Roosevelt | ... | stand-in: Ronald Colman (uncredited) |
| Patrick Saint-Maurice | ... | french voice dubbing: Edgar Buchanan (uncredited) |
| Giovanna Scotto | ... | italian voice dubbing: Emma Dunn (uncredited) |
| Christian Servatius | ... | french voice dubbing: George Watts (uncredited) |
| Floyd Shackelford | ... | stand-in: Rex Ingram (uncredited) |
| Kay Smith | ... | stand-in: Jean Arthur (uncredited) |
| Vinicio Sofia | ... | italian voice dubbing: Patrick McVey & Dewey Robinson (uncredited) |
| Ralph Stein | ... | stand-in: George Watts (uncredited) |
| Paolo Stoppa | ... | italian voice dubbing: Leonid Kinskey (uncredited) |
| Marc Valbel | ... | french voice dubbing: Cary Grant (uncredited) |
| Frances Waverly | ... | stand-in: Glenda Farrell (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1942) (United States) (theatrical) (as Columbia Pictures Corporation)
- Columbia Pictures of Canada (1942) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures Corporation (1942) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Columbia Films S. A. (1942) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures of Argentina (1942) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures (1949) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Screen Gems (1957) (United States) (tv)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1987) (Australia) (video)
- Columbia Films S.A.B. (1946) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Columbia Films (1946) (France) (theatrical) (as Columbia Films S.A.)
- Sony (2024) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- The Criterion Channel (2023) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In suburban Lochester, New England, three people end up living together in high-school teacher Nora Shelley's rental house. The first is her new tenant, renowned Harvard law professor Michael Lightcap, who has rented the house for the summer while he writes his new book. The second is Nora herself. After an auspicious first meeting, Lightcap hires Nora to be his live-in cook and secretary for a week until his manservant Tilney arrives. The third is Joseph, the property's gardener, who is currently laid up with a sprained ankle. In reality, Joseph is Nora's childhood friend Leopold Dilg, who has just escaped from prison. Leopold was being tried for the arson of the factory where he worked, and for murder for the death of the factory foreman Clyde Bracken, whose body was never recovered but who is assumed to have died in the fire. Despite the danger to herself, Nora hides Leopold since she believes his story that although he, as an activist, did speak out about the dangerous conditions at the factory, he did not set the fire, which he assumes was done by the factory's owner, Andrew Holmes, to collect the insurance money, while having Leopold as a scapegoat. Nora campaigned to get the job with Lightcap to be able to better hide Leopold in the house. Leopold escaped because he knew he would not get a fair trial because of the rabble-rousing Holmes conducted against him. Lightcap and who he knows as Joseph end up getting along famously, although activist Leopold believes Lightcap's view of the law is too clinical for him to truly be a great lawyer or great judge. Nora and Leopold learn clandestinely that Lightcap is being appointed to the Supreme Court. Nora, Leopold, and Sam Yates, Leopold's lawyer, try to get Lightcap involved in helping Leopold by showing him that Leopold indeed will not get a fair trial. In the process, Lightcap might show Leopold and Nora that his current way of thinking has much merit. Written by Huggo |
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| Taglines | Comedy so gay...drama so thrilling...love so exciting...it will be the talk of OUR town! (print ad - Lubbock Avalanche Journal - Lindsey Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - October 4, 1942) See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $1,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Lloyd Bridges' tiny role was one of 20 film appearances he made in 1942 alone. See more » |
| Goofs | Following a torrential nighttime rainstorm, the dirt driveway and surrounding earth around the house are perfectly dry early the next morning. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Lady with the Torch (1999). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Jive Bomber See more » |
| Quotes |
Michael Lightcap:
This is your law and your finest possession - it makes you free men in a free country. Why have you come here to destroy it? If you know what's good for you, take those weapons home and burn them! And then think... think of this country and of the law that makes it what it is. Think of a world crying for this very law! And maybe you'll understand why you ought to guard it. Why the law has got to be the personal concern of every citizen. To uphold it for your neighbor as well as yourself. Violence against it is one mistake. Another mistake is for any man to look upon the law as just a set of principles. And just so much language printed on fine, heavy paper. Something he recites and then leans back and takes it for granted that justice is automatically being done. Both kinds of men are equally wrong! The law must be engraved in our hearts and practiced every minute to the letter and spirit. It can't even exist unless we're willing to go down into the dust and blood and fight a battle every day of our lives to preserve it. For our neighbor as well as ourself! See more » |