The Talk of the Town (1942): Cast & Plot
The Talk of the Town is a 1942 comedy drama directed by George Stevens, starring Cary Grant as Leopold Dilg, Tom Tyler and Emma Dunn. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 58m (118 min)
- Director
- George Stevens
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Talk of the Town About?
The premise of The Talk of the Town without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A falsely accused fugitive on the run takes refuge in the house of his childhood friend. She has recently rented a room to a strict, principled law teacher. The clash of the three personalities creates comic chaos, while love and laughter turn their lives into a lively, joyous adventure.
The Talk of the Town Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- screwball comedy
- gardener
- lawyer
- arson
- schoolteacher
- cook
- tenant
- secretary
- innocence
- romantic rivalry
- political corruption
- mill owner
+38 more Show fewer
- manhunt
- lynch mob
- political activist
- love triangle
- fugitive
- frame up
- false accusation
- escape from prison
- spinster schoolteacher
- manipulative female
- small town americana
- mass hysteria
- borscht
- baseball game
- pet dog
- reference to smith brothers cough drops
- newspaper reporter
- reprisal
- retribution
- desperation
- despair
- remorse
- grief
- greed
- graft
- resolvement
- vindication
- violence
- held at gunpoint
- cigarette smoking
- 1940s
- contempt
- determination
- bravery
- turmoil
- treachery
- gossip
- song
The Talk of the Town Cast & Characters
Cary Grant leads the cast as Leopold Dilg, with Tom Tyler as Clyde Bracken and Emma Dunn as Mrs. Shelley. Directed by George Stevens; 30 actors are credited in all.
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Director George Stevens
-
Cary Grant as Leopold Dilg - Tom Tyler as Clyde Bracken
- Emma Dunn as Mrs. Shelley
- Jean Arthur as Nora Shelley
Also Starring in The Talk of the Town
· 26 more- Ronald Colman Michael Lightcap
- Clyde Fillmore James Boyd (uncredited)
- Clarence Muse Supreme Court Doorkeeper (uncredited)
- Blanche Payson Supreme Court Spectator (uncredited)
- Glenda Farrell Regina Bush
- Edgar Buchanan Sam Yates
- Frank O'Connor Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Gino Corrado Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)
- Frank Mills Townsman (uncredited)
- Max Wagner Moving Man (uncredited)
- William Benedict Western Union Boy (uncredited)
- Dewey Robinson Irate Man at Burned Mill (uncredited)
- Lloyd Bridges Donald Forrester (uncredited)
- Don Beddoe Police Chief
- Jack Carr Usher (uncredited)
- Al Bridge Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Show all 30 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Frank McLure Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Leonid Kinskey Jan Pulaski
- Rex Ingram Tilney
- Joe Cunningham McGuire (uncredited)
- Charles Dingle Andrew Holmes
- Ferike Boros Mrs. Pulaski (uncredited)
- George Watts Judge Grunstadt (uncredited)
- Lee 'Lasses' White Hound Keeper (uncredited)
- Leslie Brooks Secretary (uncredited)
- Mabel Todd Operator (uncredited)
More from George Stevens
More films directed by George Stevens, best-rated first: Swing Time, Shane, Giant and A Place in the Sun.
The Talk of the Town Plot Summary
What happens in The Talk of the Town from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Leopold Dilg Cary Grant is a mill worker and political activist who finds himself accused of arson and murder after a devastating blaze at a woolen mill that claims the life of foreman Clyde Bracken Tom Tyler. The courtroom drama whipsaws him into a perilous fight for truth, and in a bold turn of events, he escapes from custody and vanishes into the countryside, seeking refuge in a remote cottage owned by his former schoolmate Nora Shelley Jean Arthur, who is now a schoolteacher. Nora has rented the place for the summer to the renowned law professor Michael Lightcap Ronald Colman, a man with dreams of writing a book in peace.
Full summary
The whole story of The Talk of the Town, scene by scene
The Talk of the Town Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Talk of the Town.
How Well Do You Know The Talk of the Town?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the mill worker and political activist Leopold Dilg?
Cars in The Talk of the Town
9 cars on screen, including the 1941 Ford Super De Luxe Station Wagon and the 1941 Cadillac Series 67.
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1941 Ford Super De Luxe Station Wagon Important role -
1941 Cadillac Series 67 Minor role -
1941 Crocker Scootabout Minor role -
1939 Dodge Luxury Liner De Luxe Minor role
Seen The Talk of the Town?
Movies Like The Talk of the Town
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Talk of the Town, The Town Went Wild and The Talk of Hollywood.
The Talk of the Town FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Talk of the Town, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Talk of the Town?
The Talk of the Town runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).
When was The Talk of the Town released?
The Talk of the Town was released on August 20, 1942.
Who directed The Talk of the Town?
The Talk of the Town was directed by George Stevens.
More films by George Stevens Who is in the cast of The Talk of the Town?
The Talk of the Town stars Cary Grant as Leopold Dilg, Tom Tyler as Clyde Bracken and Emma Dunn as Mrs. Shelley, among 30 credited actors.
Does The Talk of the Town have a post-credit scene?
No. The Talk of the Town has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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