Customer Reviews

People Will Talk [VHS]

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Another one of Joseph L. Mankiewicz's films to be lost in the wake of All About Eve, People Will Talk is a terrific comedy/drama featuring a wonderful cast. Cary Grant is Dr. Praetorius whose treatment of patients is somewhat controversial and unconventional. When he befriends a young, unmarried pregnant woman (Jeanne Crain), Grant finds himself the focus of an investigation lead by a jealous collegue (Hume Cronyn) at the university where they both teach. Grant's interest and concern for Crain goes so far as his proposing marriage. And then there's the matter of Mr. Shunderson (Finlay Currie), Grant's seemingly simple-minded, yet constant companion. No one seems to know the details of Mr. Shunderson's life, except Grant, and he's not telling. Not a huge hit when first released, People Will Talk has developed an almost cult following today, and like many past film "failures," it's now considerd a pretty good film. Perhaps it was ahead of its time, but it has some wonderfully rich characterizations, including great turns by the aforementioned Currie, Hume Cronyn, Walter Slezak, Sidney Blackmer, and a terrific bit by an unbilled Margaret Hamilton as Miss Pickett to keep the narrative moving. My favorite scene is Grant's visit to Crain's uncle's house (she and her father life with her uncle). Grant, Blackmer, Currie, and Crain are all sitting on the front porch. Crain objects to being the center of their discussion and refuses to leave the porch. She goes so far as to scream the cook's name "Bella" at the top of her lungs, rather than move from her perch. What the movie does say about the practice of medicine and human relationships is perhaps more relevant today than when first released in 1951. As with most Mankiewicz films, it is successful on the surface. If there was another intent by the director to tell another tale or an allusion to something else, look at this as an added bonus. Fans of Cary Grant will not be disappointed; this is one of his best and most relaxed performances on film. And fans of Jeanne Crain will be pleased as well. Her role is the more difficult one and she pulls it off quite well, besides looking beautiful in ordinary farm-girl dress. Any way you slice it, you'll be talking about People Will Talk.

"People Will Talk" is a movie that I first stumbled upon while flipping channels one day. Cary Grant plays Dr. Noah Praetorius, who both practices and teaches medicine with an apporach that is refreshingly modern, even by today's standards. When young Deborah Higgins (Jeanne Crain) collapses, the good Doctor learns she is pregnant, unmarried, and suicidal. After telling her a story about a frog to make her think she is not really pregnant, some things happen and he ends up marrying Deborah. Meanwhile, Professor Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn) find Praetorius's novel methods abominable and is trying to find out the truth about not only the good Doctor but his strange companion, Mr. Shunderson (Finlay Currie). The film's climax is an inquisition into Praetorius's past (which keeps him from conduction his orchestra made up of all the school's med students), where it seems that he cured people in a backwater town as their butcher. However, the more Elwell goes after Praetorius, the better the good Doctor looks. Then there is the unbelievable truth about Mr. Shunderson.

For me and a lot of other people the strengths of this film outweigh its weaknesses. The proposal scene does not really work, Grant's performance goes off in different directions from time to time, and you have to think Professor Elwell is too smart to be this stupid. But for me the reason I always watch at least the end of this film whenever I can is that the payoff for the mystery of Mr. Shunderson just bowls me over. Walter Slezak is wonderful as always playing Professor Barker, Praetorius's stout supporter, and although it might be a tad forced I love the scene where the three men are playing with the good Doctor's new train set. Hume Cronyn creates an extremely bitter little man to be the story's villain (pay attention to the little details of his performance). Basil Ruysdael does a nice job as the Dean, who finally restores sanity to the proceedings. Certainly there are massive holes in "People Will Talk," but for me the sum of the whole is greater than the parts. I know lots of better films that are not as enjoyable as this quirky little film.

In the late forties, Mankiewicz was on a role with The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, A Letter to Three Wives, rolling right into the fifties with All About Eve and People Will Talk. Unfortunately Eve seems to get all the glory these days. People Will Talk is remarkably up to date. Cary Grant's character, Dr. Praetorius, believes "that knowledge of the human emotions and spirit is as necessary for a medical person as anatomy." Jeanne Crain plays an unwed pregnant student that Grant saves from suicide and despair. The supporting cast includes some of the greatest character actors of all time including Hume Cronyn, Sidney Blackmer, Walter Slezak, Finley Currie, and in a delightfully funny bit Margaret Hamilton. Currie's performance as Grant's faithful assistant/friend is wonderfully under played. One of my favorite moments is the porch scene with Grant, Crain, and Blackmer, with Crain shouting "Bella" at the top of her lungs. You'll have to see the film to enjoy the above commentary. People Will Talk is a delightful film that was way ahead of its time in 1951, and in many ways it still is today.

This film certainly stands the test of the nearly 50 years since its release. Cary Grant is at the apex of his physical charm, and under Mankiewicz direction, gives one of his most subtle performances as the mysterious Dr. Praetorius. The delineation of all characters is rounded and complex: unusual to find outside of a novel or a stage play. Although one premise in the plot (the stigma of unwed pregnancy) is dated, the scenes involving the small minded bigotry of "little men" are worth seeing again and again. The supporting cast, including Hume Cronyn as the vilain, and the actor who plays Jeanne Crain's uncle, are deserving of special kudos. This is a rare example of a movie that entertains while subtly imparting a lasting message. It also keeps one intrigued waiting for the solution to the mystery of Mr. Sunderson: a solution you won't soon forget.

The asbolute best scenes of the movie are at the end, when Mr. Shunderson (Finlay Currie) tells the story of his past and then tells Professor Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn) off with some of the best lines ever...Short and to the point! I never knew of this movie and happened upon it late one night on AMC. See the film, it's one of those C.G. movies that sneak up on you, grab your attention and leave you smilling at the end, glad that you stuck with it.

This is a remarkable movie. Adapted to the American screen from writer Curt Goetz' "Frauenartz Dr. Praetorius", the plot is simple and somewhat superficial. In the hands of director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, though, it turns into a gentle, thought provoking comedy of manners that showcases Cary Grant's genius at debonair humor, even though it might come in the middle of surrounding high drama.

The movie opening introduces us to the immediate plot line, with Hume Cronyn, playing a stuffy professor of medicine obviously envious of the good Dr. Praetorius, investigating Cary Grant's background prior to arriving at the university. The romantic interest is carried by Dr. Praetorius being smitten with student Jean Crain (who, at 25, was initially considered to be too old to play the co-ed role) and her out-of-wedlock predicament.

If one is asked what the movie is about, it is a queston that is difficult to answer. The plot is fluff, but the themes of medical ethics, humane treatment of patients, selflessness and witch hunt prosecution of the innocent are universal and apropos of modern life. At one point, Dr. Praetorius speaks about the unthinking distillation of medicine to the point of creating a "mechanical doctor." Needless to say, love conquers all and the righteous prevail. All this, set to the rousing strains of Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture."

The supporting cast is wonderful, from Walter Slezak as the loyal friend to Margaret Hamilton in a delightful scene, to Finlay Currie, as Mr. Shunderson, practically stealing every scene he is in. Sidney Blackmer, Will Wright and Basil Ruysdael also play pivotal roles.

Much has been written about Cary Grant, more than can be cited in this small review. This movie, released in 1942, was at the beginning of an incredible run of fine movies Grant made (his first credited film was released in 1932) from 1937's "The Awful Truth" to "Walk, Don't Run" in 1966. Writers have commented on his good looks, his sartorial elegance, his panache, all the way to his dimpled chin. But, in my opinion, if one wants to understand what a complete actor he was, watch his hands. They are never out of character; they are always doing exactly what his character needs. They are as elegant, whether in drama or comedy, as Cary's character needs them to be.

As for the DVD version, there is nothing notable extra on the disk, but it is a good, clean copy. I saw only one awkward cut during a scene on the farm porch, otherwise it is intact. I last owned this movie in Beta format and have not seen it in some time, since it is no longer played on television. It was a pleasure to renew my acquaintance with a movie that left me feeling good about movie making again.

I had no idea I would like this movie so much. It's not the standard run of the mill film that everybody would like, but it's incredibly non-judgmental and sweet. I like that movies can show the best sides of human nature, and develop a male character who is so extremely non-judgmental of a woman and her human frailty, particularly for the time the film was produced.

In addition to the quality story line, the chemistry between the two lead characters is amazingly good. I have seen Cary Grant with his other onscreen ladies, and he does not always create a heat wave when he's in his romantic element. Oh, he's charming, al right. But he doesn't really appear to be interested in his leading ladies all that much. But in this movie, he seemed to be interested, and the chemistry was more than evident.

Good movie!

Though this video doesn't stint on Cary Grant's usual charm, it really isn't one of his typical star vehicles. Rather it's an odd story about an odder man and his unexpected (and perhaps unbelievable) tumble into love and marriage. Even with the mysteries of who Praetorius is and what's up with Mr. Shunderson solved by the last scene, questions remain, and in those questions lie much of the film's appeal. The weak link here is Jeanne Crain's mannered performance as a young, unwed mother. Crain seems to be acting in another film all together, and tends to be distracting, though this does add to the overall quirkiness of the film. A fantastic cast which includes Walter Slezak, Hume Cronyn, Margaret Hamilton (in a small but memorable role), Finlay Currie and Sidney Blackmer, makes this film a delight.

Don't miss this one. If only all doctors had Cary Grant's bedside manner as he did as a doctor in this movie. I have discovered that when movies, books, and music get mixed reviews they are worth investigating. Often they strike close to home somehow and the reviewer may be striking back or prefers something less benign. One can't go wrong watching this movie. Every character is developed and, yes, one can learn a lesson or two (as with any movie, book, and even in music).

I watched this movie for the first time recently, and I loved it. Perhaps it was due in some part to the fact that I didn't go into the movie expecting much--the summary didn't really appeal to me. But Cary Grant is clearly loving his role in this movie. he is more relaxed in this movie than I have ever seen him, and I happen to be a Grant-aholic:)
As for his supposed lack of chemistry with his female co-star, I didn't happen to see it. He seemed sympathetic and loving to her, and she was clearly nuts for him. One issue that may contribute to the supposed lack, though, is that they hardly ever are together without problems. In the first part, she is pregnant and fearful of his perception of her, and in the second they are dealing with other problems that I will leave out so as to avoid spoiling anyone. However, there is a clear sense of love between the two characters, and if they are not passionate together, it is only because they don't really have any passionate scenes. The lack of passion is more than made up for with tenderness though, which shines through in their relationship.
P.S.--I happen to love the proposal scene, and I also loved seeing the "Grant sidle" ;)