It’s often said that the third time’s the charm, and Tuesday Nights at the Movies is taking that literally with its screening of the twice rescheduled “The Talk of the Town” on Tuesday, April 14.
Romantic comedies often get a bad rap as frothy brain candy without much substance. But “The Talk of the Town,” is a sharp, witty, and surprisingly layered film that blends romance and humor with political drama and social commentary. Anchored by a charismatic cast and clever script, it also takes on serious themes like justice and civic responsibility, while never losing its romantic comedy heart.
Directed by George Stevens (“Swing Time,” “Giant”), “The Talk of the Town” stars Cary Grant (“Bringing Up Baby,” “North by Northwest”) as Leopold Dilg, a passionate man wrongly accused of arson and murder. Dilg escapes from jail and seeks refuge in a rented cottage owned by an old school crush, Nora Shelley, played with effervescent charm by Jean Arthur (“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “You Can’t Take it with You”). Nora, who is getting set to rent out her home for the summer, is caught off guard when — just as Dilg shows up — her new tenant, Michael Lightcap, also arrives to throw a wrench into the works. Lightcap, portrayed by Ronald Colman (“A Tale of Two Cities,” “Lost Horizon”), is a reserved, by-the-book law professor on the brink of a major judicial appointment — and bound to be a major problem if he learns that he’s sharing quarters with an escaped convict.
What unfolds is both a love triangle and tightly woven narrative that dances between comedy and tension. Dilg hides in plain sight as a gardener while Lightcap remains blissfully unaware of the fugitive right under his nose. Nora finds herself juggling two polar opposite men — one a fiery activist, the other a methodical scholar — as well as her own growing awareness of the larger moral issues at play.
While Arthur and Colman both deliver performances that audiences will recognize as well within their wheelhouses (Arthur — bright and endearingly independent, and Colman — dignified and cerebral), Grant plays against his usual suave, debonair persona, imbuing Dilg with a scrappy, impassioned energy that highlights his versatility. His nuanced performance leans more on earnest idealism and quick wit than the polished sophistication that defined many of his other roles. Also among the cast is Rex Ingram (“The Thief of Baghdad,” “Cabin in the Sky”), whose portrayal of Tilney, Lightcap’s Black valet, is notably free of the stereotypes typical of the era.
“The Talk of the Town” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Writing. Co-written by Irwin Shaw and Sidney Buchman, the script is filled with smart dialogue and sophisticated humor but never loses sight of the deeper philosophical stakes. Questions of integrity, civil liberties and personal conscience pulse beneath the film’s screwball surface, keeping it grounded in the socio-political climate of its time — particularly the tensions around individual rights and the role of government. The contrast between Dilg’s impassioned idealism and Lightcap’s legalistic detachment underscores how law and morality intersect, and how institutions can fail or protect depending on who decides what is just and ethical.
In a sadly ironic turn, Buchman paid a heavy price for sticking to the values he espoused in “The Talk of the Town” and his best-known screenplay, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” In the 1950s, Buchman was charged with contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee. He had been one of the most successful screenwriters of Hollywood’s Golden Age, served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, and received four Oscars nominations (winning for “Here Comes Mr. Jordan”), yet ultimately was blacklisted by Hollywood and forced to leave the United States to work in France, where he remained for the rest of his life.
“The Talk of the Town” feels as immediate today as it was when it debuted more than 80 years ago. It’s funny and romantic, yes, but also bold in its ideals, asking audiences to consider what it means to uphold justice — and who gets to decide.
“The Talk of the Town” has been rescheduled and will be screened on Tuesday, April 14, at Woodmere, 9201 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill. The event is part of the Chestnut Hill Film Group’s Tuesday Nights at the Movies series. Light refreshments will be served prior to the screening. Admission is free, but donations at the door are greatly appreciated. For more information, contact 215-247-0476 or woodmereartmuseum.org, or visit Chestnut Hill Film Group on social media.
Lily Williams is vice president of Chestnut Hill Film Group.
