20. The Talk of the Town 4K (1942) from Sony Pictures
Leopold Dilg (Cary Grant) is on trial after a local mill is burned to the ground by an arsonist. Dilg works at the mill and not only did the mill burn to the ground but a man also died in the fire.
Dilg, trying to prove his innocence, escapes from jail. He makes his way to a secluded cottage. The cottage is owned by Nora Shelley (Jean Arthur). A classmate and former crush. Dilg pleads with Nora to let him stay at the cottage as he tries to prove his innocence, Nora agrees but tells him he can only stay in the attic as she is renting the cottage to Michael Lightcap (Roland Coleman). Lightcap is a highly regarded law professor, who wants to use the cottage to write his latest book.
One day Dilg is spotted by Michael. Nora in a panic tells Michael that Dilg is the gardener, Joseph. “Joesph” and Michael get into spirited discussions about law and how they both need to compromise on their views. The debates lead to Michael and “Joseph” to become fast and good friends. But they also become rivals in their romantic quest for Nora.
Michael is soon convinced however that maybe Dilg isn’t guilty, and he plans on using his influence to help clear his name.
The right description of The Talk of the Town might be Cary Grant’s best forgotten film, but that might not be fair. It was nominated for 7(!) Academy Awards, including best picture. It is whip smart, wonderfully acted and directed with flair by George Stevens, who is no slouch, having made incredible films including Giant (1956) and previously directed Grant in the awesome epic Gunga Din (1939).
The Talk of the Town is thought provoking, funny and romantic. It hits all the marks and delivers a wonderful move experience.
Grade: A
The Talk of the Town 4K Video Quality
You will be taking about this transfer after watching the film. After a DVD release in 2003, The Talk of the Town was begging for an upgrade. And what an upgrade it is. Sony did right by the film in skipping the standard blu-ray. This is a classic film that deserves to look amazing. And Sony does just that. Gone are the age related scratches and pops. What’s left are inky blacks, incredible details. This has to be one of best looking Golden Age films I’ve seen on the 4K format.
Grade: A+
The Talk of the Town 4K Audio Quality
Although The Talk of the Town is brought to life with a two channel DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix it doesn’t suffer at all. Dialogue is the most important part of the film and it comes through spectacularly. Age issues are infrequent with the occasional hiss, but it is so minuscule that you might forget about. It as fast as you heard it.
Grade: A
The Talk of the Town 4K Bonus Features
Commentary: Author Marilyn Ann Moss, who wrote the book Giant: George Stevens, A Life on Film delivers one of my most favorite commentaries in a long time. She is insightful and full of great anecdotes. This is a new commentary for this release. It adds so much depth to the film.
Talking about The Talk of the Town: An all too brief interview with George Stevens Jr., but this too is a wonderful but too brief look into the picture from Stevens’ son.
Grade: A
The Talk of the Town is brilliant. It deconstructs what we think about life and punishment without getting preachy. It truly feels like we are a fly on the wall for Dilg’s and Lightcap’s debates. Cary Grant of course delivers and Jean Arthur will melt your heart. Their chemistry has carried over from Only Angels Have Wings as both stars are easy on the eyes and make you smile while watching them fall into their roles. Sony’s 4K release of The Talk of the Town is an incredible display of a studio taking one of their cherished films and doing it right.