Edward G Robinson & Jean Arthur in John Ford's (comedy!) "The Whole Town's Talking" (1935)
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Meek and mild Arthur Ferguson Jones (Edward G. Robinson) and brash, fast-talking, devil-may-care, career girl, Miss Wilhelmina Clark (Jean Arthur), work at the same advertising firm. He harbors a secret crush on her while she barely knows he exists.
Jones turns out to look exactly like the notorious bank robber "Killer" Mannion and is apprehended by the police. After his true identity is confirmed, the district attorney gives Jones a "passport," a letter identifying him as not Mannion, so that he can avoid the same trouble in the future. Jones becomes a local celebrity and, at the behest of his boss, begins ghost-writing Mannion's "autobiography" in the newspaper, with good-natured but street-wise "Miss Clark" (as he refers to her) voluntarily acting as his agent to see that he gets paid.
Mannion decides to take advantage of his mild-mannered doppelgänger and, ultimately, leave Jones "holding the bag" for Mannion's crimes. He kidnaps Wilhelmina, Jones' visiting aunt, and his manager from work, and takes them back to his hideout. He instructs Jones to make a large deposit for Mannion's mother's benefit at the First National Bank, and then has a henchman phone the police and tell them that he (Mannion) is about to rob the bank. But Mannion's plan fails when Jones forgets to bring the check and unwittingly leads the police back to Mannion's hideout.
Upon his arrival, Jones is mistaken for Mannion by the waiting henchmen and quickly realizes that he is meant to be the fall guy. When the real Mannion returns unexpectedly, his gang thinks he is Jones and machine-guns him to death. The police arrive in time to capture the rest of the gang and release the captives. With Mannion dead, Jones collects a reward and takes a long-desired cruise to Shanghai with Wilhelmina.
A 1935 American Black & White comedy film (a/k/a "Passport to Fame", and "Jail Breaker") produced & directed by John Ford, screenplay by Jo Swerling and Robert Riskin, based on a story by W.R. Burnett originally published in Collier's in August 1932, cinematography by Joseph H. August, starring Edward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur, Arthur Hohl, James Donlan, Arthur Byron, Wallace Ford, Etienne Girardot, Donald Meek, Edward Brophy, and Paul Harvey.
The first of five movies in which Edward G. Robinson and Edward Brophy worked together. The others are "The Last Gangster" (1937), "A Slight Case of Murder" (1938), "Larceny, Inc." (1942), and "Destroyer" (1943).
Burnett was also the author of the source material for Robinson's screen break-through, "Little Caesar" (1931).
Columbia Pictures borrowed Edward G. Robinson, playing against type, for this screwball comedy from Warner Bros. Robinson heard about the transactions through gossip columnist Louella Parsons. At the time Robinson's career was somewhat moribund and the star was tired of playing only gangsters. He was initially opposed to the project but changed his mind after reading the script. In retrospect, this has been seen as a turning point for Robinson, reviving his cinematic fortunes. Along with "The Little Giant" (1933) and "A Slight Case of Murder" (1938), it was one of the few comedies Robinson made.
This mixture of dark comedy and the gangster film incorporated some footage originally shot for Columbia's "The Criminal Code" (1931).
The film "The Whole Town's Talking" (1926) has no story connection to this film.
While visually nothing stands out as a John Ford film, his mark is all over it. It's beautifully shot and lit by longtime Ford cinematographer Joseph H. August. Ford never wastes an opportunity to poke fun at the hypocrisy and ineptitude of those in positions of authority, and the police get it good in this one. The pace is handled deftly by Ford, and in the third act the action picks up and the comedy slows down.
Contemporary reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Critics emphasized Edward G. Robinson's impressive dual performance, as well as the trick photography from Joseph August. The Hollywood Reporter called it "one of Robinson's best screen performances," dubbing it a "riotous satire" with "topnotch" writing. American Cinematographer included the film in its Photography of the Month section, citing two reviews that emphasized August's work.
Later reviewers have remained very kind to the film. Film critic and historian Jean Mitry said of the film that it is "...wonderfully cut and mounted, supercharged, taut like a spring, it is a work of total perfection in its genre." And Michael Costello of All Movie Guide wrote that "Ford directs and cuts the scenes with uncharacteristic rapidity, seeming to enjoy playing off the meek clerk against the anarchic gangster."
A John Ford comedy. How often do you hear that phrase? If you get a chance to see this great Robinson Classic, it is a perfect comedy, and a sheer delight! Everything falls into place. The acting, the pace, the timing of the jokes, the dialog. Even the set design is fabulous. This is truly a great Classic Film. Enjoy! 
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Great! They did a fine job with the split screen and Edward G. Robinson's portrayal of the two characters was very convincing. Jean Arthur also did a great job in her role! Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it. Welcome.
Just simple plain fun, really enjoyed this one. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome.
The way Robinson transforms physcially, and vocally both through timbre and accent, is tremendous. One could make a comparison to Danny Kaye in Wonderman, except the comedy in that film was much broader, and while Robinson shows excellent comedic timing, he also plays both characters perfectly straight. He even nails it when he is playing one character impersonating the other. This is a superb performance which adorns a solid script that was directed beautifully.
So true! Mr. Robinson was a brilliant actor!
Could not have said it better myself.
Well said. Thanks for watching. FYI - I posted Danny Kaye in "The Inspector General" (1949) here: ruclips.net/video/kblpB2aTeQk/видео.html
What an original story. Simply fabulous!
Yes! And no cussing 😁❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
Robinson did a great job of doing a role that he normally would not do. Loved the movie....John Ford always had great movies. Just my opinion. Thank you for the share.
Welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
What's better than
Edward G.Robinson in a movie?
Two Edward G.Robinsons.
😅😉😁😊👍🏻👍🏻
Drama , comedy , action , thriller suspense , action ... E.G. Robinson was an excellent actor . RIP 💐🌸🪷🌹🌺🌻🌼🌷🪻⚘️
Ha! I post Edward G. Robinson movies here: ruclips.net/p/PLk3CReZFhoBfnjGERjsSym8XfrY-o-rNv
This was definitely good!!!
Glad you liked it!
Thank you, that was so enjoyable!
Welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoyed this movie. Robinson and Arthur two of my favorite actors
Glad you enjoyed it. I post Edward G Robinson movies here: ruclips.net/p/PLk3CReZFhoBfnjGERjsSym8XfrY-o-rNv & and Jean Arthur movies here: ruclips.net/p/PLk3CReZFhoBfeOLoZrePmLC5cDtiUJPrL
Good film for sure 👌 👍 👏 😀 😊 😄 ❤ . There's nothing like enjoying 😉 a great classical movie long before my birth . Edward G Robinson and Jean Arthur were quite wonderful 🎉 .
Glad you enjoyed it! I post Edward G. Robinson movies here: ruclips.net/p/PLk3CReZFhoBfnjGERjsSym8XfrY-o-rNv
What an interesting character he plays. Nice to see him playing a meek character, as he is normally viewed in twisted and crooked roles
I was going to put down about Robinsons acting in this movie....but you said it best. He did a great job at it.
Was he the guy in Scarlet Street?
So true! "The Red House"
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
A real gem! Why dont they play these movies on t.v. instead of the same crap over and over again? I enjoyed this one!!!
@kimivy7234....You answered your own question...lol. Because the public would see for themselves just what kind of crap they have been fed for many years already...!!!
I hear you. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you 🥰Great movie , have watched many times , enjoyed watching it one more time . 🥰Good cast 👍A fan of the great and talented Edward G. Robinson .👍
FYI - I post Edward G Robinson movies here: ruclips.net/p/PLk3CReZFhoBfnjGERjsSym8XfrY-o-rNv
@@DonaldPBorchersOG THANK YOU , i will be watching them .🥰
Thank you
Welcome.
Jean Arthur is SO GREAT!!
And OF COURSE so is Edward G!!
Roger that. Thanks for the visit!
This was very good, & the way Robinson could create two distinct characters proved what an outstanding actor he was, I also like how John Ford kept Jean Arthur's usual annoying warbling mannerisms in check, he probably scared her enough for that!
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
CUTE AS HELLAnd the print is pristine😅
Scotnick,Hell is real!
Glad you enjoyed it!
It had me laughing
in the first few minutes:
Ed ' G. is usually associated
with playing baddies,
but comparing his
face to the photo in the
newspaper : every time
the photo came on,
that was funny in
itself. 😊.
Nice to see him as a
mild-mannered
innocent 😊.
Have just finished
watching the Ginger Rogers
film. " Tight Spot "
( Ginger , with short
hair, brought out of
jail to testify against
a crook ( Lorne Greene.
before " Bonanza"),
with Ed' G. Robinson
overseeing
the case, trying to
get the crook.
Well worth a look.😊
🇬🇧😊💙🇺🇲✔️📽️🇬🇧
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll keep an eye out for that one!
Welcome. I posted "Tight Spot" (1955) here: ruclips.net/video/SmwdTFHg2QM/видео.html
Great character actors, and I always like Jean Arthur. Good film!
Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome.
Mr. Robertson did so wonderful! Such a contrast in acting.
Glad you like it. Welcome.
This is too funny 😂❤❤❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, funny movie ! Don’t forget The McIntyre Account 😂
Welcome.
Loved it !!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for this! I don't recall ever seeing this before! LOL at that picture in the paper at the beginning of "Killer Mannion" scowling into the camera with the hilarious caption:
_The Face of An Arch Criminal_
_Noted Psychologists agree that every feature of Mannion's face explains why he is Public Enemy No. 1._
_THE MOUTH: Cruel, animal-like, exposing fang-like teeth in a perpetual, snarling sneer._
_THE CHIN: Square, out-thrust jaw of the Neanderthal man, cousin of the jungle ape._
_THE HEAD: A composite of predatory sign posts, the square bull-like head of the blood hunter._
_THE EYES: Sinister, menacing, snake-like, murderous._
LOL!
Edward G. Robinson was 41 years old here (Jean Arthur was 35.) I've always been slayed by the range this magnificent actor had. He could pull off ... anything! Everything from the hard core "Little Caesar" and the spellbinding "Two Seconds" to straight drama like "Double Indemnity" to comedies like "Brother Orchid" and "Larceny, Inc." Here we have him playing all three! Outstanding!
You may have recognized one of the bank employees in the closing scenes. That was 23-year-old Lucille Ball back when almost all of her many roles had no dialog and, thus, she didn't get a credit!
Thanks for clocking in with all of this!
Superb movie still love Edward
Me, too. Glad you like it.
I love how in these films the police brutality and abuse of power not to mention in this case the slander is totally overlooked and brushed off. just goes back to work with not even an apology given.
Good point. Thanks for watching.
Should be a great Friday, John Ford, Edward G. Robinson
and Jean Arthur in The Whole Town's Talking, from 1935!
Roger that. Welcome.
when asked about this film,john ford said "it was alright i guess,i never saw it"!
Ha! Thanks for the info!
@1:12:29 “ . . . coked up rat.”
Wow! How interesting to hear such a virtually casual reference in that era.
Cab Calloway's 1931 hit song "Minnie The Moocher" includes the verse, "She ran around with a bloke named Smokey, she loved him though he was cokey, he brought her down to Chinatown, and showed her how to kick the gong around." Kick the gong around was a slang reference to smoking opium. Coca-Cola was created in 1892 and was a made from Coca leaves and Kola nut. Cocaine was used in cigarettes and inhalers, and in 1914 The U.S. started to regulate it, due to people becoming addicted. It was in The 1920s that it became illegal. So, by the time this film was made coke was already a well established vice.
Cocaine was the upper and alcohol was the downer, both totally socially acceptable for a long time!
Good point. Thanks for watching.
John Ford could direct anything; this is just one example. Westerns were his strong suit, but direct yourself to the Oscar-winning "How Green Was My Valley" (1941) or "The Quiet Man" (1952), films that harken back to his Irish roots. Pretty good at war movies, too. Jean Arthur was a regular at Columbia, but Robinson and Ford weren't. Interesting mix.
I keep coming back to The Quiet Man every so often. Great fun.
@@JoLoRod1
I'm from an Italian/American family, out of Brooklyn/Staten Island N.Y.; but every St. Patrick's day on goes the Quiet Man in the Living room, and on goes the Corned beef and cabbage in the Kitchen!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Edward G Robinson, verlo en comedia❤❤😊😊😊, es excelente , siempre actuaba en drama, es muy grato verlo en otra faceta❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Roger that. Thanks for watching.
He got stinko! 😂
Thanks for watching.
Laughed out loud. They don’t make them like this anymore.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Suspense intriguing 🤔
Glad you like it. Welcome.
Time have really changed!
Roger that. Thanks for watching.
Good ol' Eddy G❤
Roger that. Thanks for watching.
53.52 :
Effective split screen :
Slick transfer of
newspaper , behind
lamp.✔️📽️
🇬🇧💙🇺🇲📽️✔️😊🇬🇧
Roger that. Thanks for watching.
👍👍👍👍👍
👍
LOVED Jean Arthur. She suffered badly from stage fright , and surprisingly , she didnt think she was good looking .
Thanks for the info!
Arthur Byron (Spencer) played Sir Joseph Whemple in The Mummy (1932). Thought I'd seen him somewhere...
Thanks for the info!
❤❤❤
👍
17 mins approx :
There would be a
record of the
fingerprints of the
escaped criminal ,
so it could have
been cleared up
quickly, but that
wouldn't make a
story, would it !
😊📽️🇬🇧💙🇺🇲
🇬🇧💙📽️😊🇺🇲
Good point. Thanks for watching.
24 mins 56 :
Ah ! They just checked
fingerprints....
🇬🇧💙🇺🇲📽️😊🇬🇧
It took a lot longer back then LOL
Roger that. Thanks for watching.
Everyone who ever watched Gilligan's Island knows Mary Ann was hotter than Ginger and why she was. What makes Jean Arthur so hot in everything is her voice, yep, that's the thing WOW! ( Plus she had the whole Mary Ann/Dawn Wells thing going)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Now do it my way, see.
Ha! Thanks for the visit!
This picture was to be directed by Frank Capra but he prefered mister deeds goes to town
Thanks for the info!
This movie is instructive about the mentality of usa a few years before WW2. Clearly Al Capone was in the mind of the producer. USa was still an inward looking pack of rats country with mafia and gangs in big cities, having gone through the big depression. There is none of that cockey positive attitude that followed the end of WW2 in 1945. This was a depressed country struggling to find a spiritual path. And gangsterism is really the foundation of usa. Thugs only got to the higher ranks of government after ww2 and now in the highest education institutions of usa, is centr bk and in the profound surrogate gov.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Ford must have been losing his hearing.
The actors are talking loud, practically screaming.
Thanks for the visit!
Wait this is a comedy??
Yes, a comedy.
We naturally felt
sorry for Jones,
but it did end
happily...😊🇬🇧
🦉😊🦉🌈💙😊
@@rosemariemann1719
There was a murder.
I never laughed.
Not comedy
Roger that. Thanks for watching.