On This Day...The Talk of the Town (1942)

 Cary Grant's 41st film was The Talk of the Town, released on today's date back in 1942. 

Summary: 

Cary Grant is Leopold Dilg, who was jailed for arson and murder after a man died when a mill burned down. He escapes custody and hides out in the home of Nora Shelley, his childhood sweetheart, played by Jean Arthur….but Nora has just rented her home out to unsuspecting law professor Michael Lightcap (Ronald Colman)…could he be of any help to Leopold’s case? 

Cast:

Cary Grant...Leopold Dilg

Jean Arthur...Nora Shelley

Ronald Colman...Professor Michael Lightcap

Edgar Buchanan...Sam Yates

Glenda Farrell....Regina Bush

Charles Dingle...Andrew Holmes

Emma Dunn...Mrs. Shelley

Rex Ingram...Tilney

Leonid Kinskey...Jan Pulaski

Tom Tyler...Clyde Bracken

Don Beddoe...Police Chief

Did You Know?

This was the first time since the silent era that Ronald Colman was billed below another male lead.

When the professor is unconscious on the floor, Tilney (Rex Ingram) asks Sam is he is a doctor. Ironically, Rex Ingram was himself a doctor in real life - a trained physician.

Cary Grant and Ronald Colman were both paid at least $100,000 for their work in the film. Jean Arthur, who was in Harry Cohn's dog house and just coming off suspension, was only paid $50,000.

Nora tells the professor that he is, "as whiskered as the Smith Brothers." This refers to a brand of cough drops with an illustration of the Smith Brothers on the front, both of whom have a beard. First introduced in 1852, they remained the most popular brand for a century.

The AMC television showing of this film omits the actual moment, shown in the complete version, in which 'Ronald Colman' is actually informed of his Supreme Court appointment.

Quotes:

Leopold Dilg: With these indoor habits of yours, you've got the complexion of a gravel pit.

Michael Lightcap: You know, Joseph, you're no oil painting yourself.

Leopold Dilg: Stop saying "Leopold" like that, tenderly. It sounds funny. You can't do it with a name like Leopold.

Sam Yates: He's the only honest man I've come across in this town in 20 years. Naturally, they want to hang him.

Leopold Dilg: What is the law? It's a gun pointed at somebody's head. All depends upon which end of the gun you stand, whether the law is just or not.

Nora Shelley: Listen, I can't hang around here even if I wanted to. Lightcap's ordered me out 50 times since last night. I'm here now only by the grace of being in his pajamas. One minute I'm out of these and I'm out on my ear!

Michael Lightcap: Miss Shelly, judging from the past 12 hours, how quiet do you think it could be in this house, with you in it?

Lobby Cards:

Directed by George Stevens.

Produced and distributed by Columbia.

Running time: 118 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.