Avaliações de usuários

When you get one of Hollywood's most powerful producers, Darryl F. Zanuck, working with a screenwriter/director, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, then you know you're in for a film that's a cut above the average.

In this story, Cary Grant is a hugely successful doctor (as Dr Noah Praetorious) with unusual healing practices; Jeanne Crain (as Deborah Higgins) is an aspiring medical student who falls in love with him; the almost legendary Finlay Currie is a mysterious assistant (as Shunderson) to the doctor; another great character actor, Hume Cronyn, plays the devious and deceitful Prof. Elwell; and there is Walter Slezak as Prof. Barker, who provides (with Grant) much of the comedy and witty lines.

This is an unusual story because it mixes genres: it's a comedy, it's a love story, it's a (double) mystery, and it's a drama. The first genre is provided largely by Cary Grant and Walter Slezak who bounce off each other with some of the best scenes and wittiest lines. The second, of course, is between Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain. The third is provided by Cary Grant and Finlay Currie, Grant being the doctor whose methods are suspect and his past under scrutiny by Prof. Elwell, while Currie is Grant's constant companion – aloof, quiet and almost robotic in his demeanour. But, who really is Shunderson? And the fourth is the drama between Dr Praetorious and Prof. Elwell, as the latter seeks to have the doctor expelled from the clinic and university for malpractice.

Weaving those four elements together into a cohesive plot is no mean feat, but Mankiewicz succeeds brilliantly. The acting is superb, and even Jeanne Crain – not one of my favorites at all – manages to almost overshadow Hume Cronyn in a key scene where there is a battle of wills and words. The real surprise, however, is Finlay Currie who usually appears in biblical and/or historical dramas and who usually is given a lot to say in any of his film appearances. But, not in this one: in fact, he says hardly a word until almost the end, but simply maintains a deceptive and mysterious quietude at the side of Cary Grant. The resolution to that mystery is a tour de force – and with a twist.

Even though I'm not a big comedy fan – it's the most difficult to portray on film – I'm very partial to Mankiewicz and his films. On that basis alone I'd recommend this film for you to see as another in the great tradition of Classic Hollywood Cinema. But, for anybody who likes the debonair Cary Grant, well, what are you waiting for…?

The screenplay for "People Will Talk" is by Joseph Mankiewicz, who adapted the film from a play and also directed. It has been suggested that the story is an allusion to the workings of McCarthyism, which was active at the time.

From the beginning of the film, there is a level of suspense as this unusual tale reveals itself slowly. Cary Grant plays Dr. Noah Praetorius, a physician and sometime butcher, with the quirky charm that only he can portray. His character has an ebullience and an unconventional approach to medicine that make him seem unprofessional to others in his profession. He has a mysterious friend called Shunderson (Finlay Currie) who is always by his side.

Praetorius meets a young woman named Deborah Higgins (Jeanne Crain) who becomes his patient. He becomes involved in her problems as the film drifts through drama, comedy and romance.

The supporting cast includes some enjoyable appearances. And the film's unpredictability makes for an interesting journey. The Praetorius character might be considered a precursor to Patch Adams. And in one scene he foretells a future that presciently includes "electronic doctors." This film deserves attention for its statements about individualism and nonconformity and for its unorthodox plot construction, which nevertheless works.

I have watched this film tens of times over the years without ever getting bored and was delighted to recently find it on DVD in the United States. The film contains all the ingredients for the viewer's pleasure ....... romance humour suspense strangeness ......... I was especially taken aback by the Shundersson mystery. I also found that the film although over 50 years old as I write doesn't really seem dated in the attitudes and ideas it expresses. Clothes and cars may hark back to the beginning of the 50's but the dialogues are quite simply timeless. I don't wish to dwell on the story by let's say they are lots of twists and turns and a plentiful supply of humour. Of course I have always loved Cary Grant but I find that in this film he turns in a particularly interesting performance, a little above the usual level of the character he plays. It's also very intersting to watch Grant's reaction in embarassing situations and notably the "interrogation" carried out before the concert at the end. As for Jeanne Crain, his "wife" I find her every time stunningly beautiful. Professor Elwell's character must be one of the most obnoxious in the entire history of cinema ......... !!

People Will Talk (1951)

Joseph L. Mankiewicz is always an impressive director, though this is surely one of his lesser films. That doesn't keep it from being interesting throughout, and the comic scenes are really hilarious. Of course, it doesn't hurt to use Cary Grant as the lead, with three oddball men backing him up (the father-in-law, the atomic scientist, and his old, silent friend). Across from him is the charming, somewhat demur Jeanne Crain, who does sometimes perk things up a bit, but she is generally fairly stately.

I say this because the movie itself resembles Jeanne Crain: pretty, effective, restrained, and with a short nose. That is, it never quite takes off, and even the lively Grant as an unorthodox doctor seems buttoned up, much like his role in The Bishop's Wife, rather than his funnier side (most of his films, including Monkey Business the following year) or more dapper side (especially later one, but even in Only Angels Have Wings.) Since Grant anchors the film, this all matters. At times, his tone becomes more than professorial, and he sounds like a politician, but a respectable one, and People Will Talk is partly an anti-McCarthy, anti-witch hunt film from the Red Scare days. The speeches are meant to be taken quite seriously, no matter how absurd the comedy. Without this context, a lot of it will seem lofty and wordy. In fact, it still does, a flaw that time will only make worse.

No matter what our era remembers of Joe McCarthy, the movie demands little of most of the characters, and more makes fun of highbrow men, and of institutions in general, from the university to marriage itself, all as allegory to an establishment of rules above principles, which the movie makers and Grant's character clearly abhor. What matters more is the human heart, in medicine and in love, and Grant, with dignity, shows the way.

People Will Talk is both breezy and weighty--a solid farce, if that isn't contradictory. Some of the secondary actors are terrific, especially Walter Slezak (who appears in a similar, happy role in Born to Kill). As usual, Mankiewicz surrounds himself with talent behind the scenes at Fox, with Milton Krasner behind the camera (in high key style) and Alfred Newman in charge of music (some of which is diagetic).

This gem just isn't given enough play. Actually, given the power of the forces it takes to task, it is a small miracle it even got made. In tackling the project, Mank riddled the medical profession, with a not too subtle sidetrip to take on McCarthyism.

Cary Grant is more smooth and relaxed than usual, and actually seems to be enjoying the role. Jeanne Crain tackles a difficult (and not too well written, alas) part, and Walter Slezak does a nice turn as a collegue and crony of Grant's. Hume Cronyn is despicable as the jealous and zealous pracitioner, prosecutor and persecutor.

This film didn't do well initially, but is now developing a cult following. It is one of those rare movies that gets better with each viewing.

How many movies had a score by Brahms? 'People Will Talk' features his Academic Festival Overture, which is the only example of cheerful grandeur I can think of in serious music. Mankewicz knew what he was doing, because this is a cheerfully grand movie. While his 'Letter to three wives' and 'All About Eve' are more famous, this one is my favorite.

For one thing, Cary Grant has never been more attractive, for Dr. Praetorious is a good and humane doctor. "I don't cure illness, I make sick people well." If the notion that a woman bearing a child out of wedlock is a disgrace has gone, the theme of the mediocre witch-hunting the brilliant is timeless.

The phrase 'beloved character actor' could have been invented for Finlay Currie, but you've got to be able to use it for Walter Slezak - at least in this movie. (See "Lifeboat")

If you spend two hours with these people, you'll hear some very splendid talk, and you'll feel both warmed and civilized. How many of today's movies do that?

The premise sounded very interesting and the ideas and themes that 'People Will Talk' was very brave to explore on film back then at a time where many wouldn't dare go near them. Have enjoyed quite a number of Joseph L Mankiewicz's other films, 'All About Eve' especially is one of my favourite films. Have always held Cary Grant in very high regard and his charming, suave and urbane acting style was matched by not many in his day. The cast in general has much talent.

Props does have to go to Mankiewicz for daring to go near what is present here in the writing and storytelling and it must have been a shock to a lot of people at the time. Props also has to go to Grant in departing from his usual roles, or the roles he was "typecast" as and played incredibly well always, and showing a more serious side. He had showed a serious side before, but not to this extent and this is one of his better endeavours displaying the more dramatic, less sophisticated and less charming side. Yet, 'People Will Talk' didn't for me quite come together and it struck me as a rather uneven film with some significant drawbacks.

Will begin with the good things, which are actually many and they are significant assets too. Grant is terrific, showing that he was very capable and very successful at breaking away from his comfort zone. Hume Cronyn has one of the more interesting and more plausible characters and is both entertaining and menacing. Walter Slezak is amiable in his role and his friendship with Grant is nicely handled. The most interesting character to me was Shunderson, played with mysterious dignity by Finlay Currie.

Furthermore, 'People Will Talk' is beautifully photographed complete with some atmospheric lighting. Alfred Newman's direction is effective, with some of the best use of pre-existing music for any film seen in a long time with Wagner and especially Brahms prominently integrated as part of the score. There are a fair share of amusing and intelligent moments in the script and the story, there is a doesn't hold anything back approach to the film's themes and Mankiewicz's direction is efficient enough.

Sadly, there are a number of drawbacks. Did find the story, while interesting structurally, rather convoluted and disjointed as a result of trying to include too much content-wise and thematically. Meaning that one was never sure what the film was trying to be and it seemed that Mankiewicz was not sure either. Too few of the characters are fleshed out enough, Shunderson and Elwell being the exceptions. Jeanne Crain is very bland in a somewhat unpleasant role and she and Grant have little chemistry together.

Did feel that the ending was anti-climactic and the film's script is even talkier than the very apt title. It's literate and has fun and intelligence, but is too often too wordy and flowery (not reminiscent of everyday speech) which can bog the film down.

In summary, not bad at all and admirable but uneven. 6/10

After winning two successive Oscars for A Letter To Three Wives and All About Eve, director Joseph Mankiewicz was on one big creative roll. His next film was this charming comedy/drama about a medical doctor with some interesting ideas and one of his patients, a girl with a bundle of joy on the way and a dead father, courtesy of the Korean War.

Those roles are played by Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain. Grant's a strange kind of doctor who believes that surgery and pills are only a last resort. Today he might be operating a very successful wellness center.

Grant would still be getting the a lot of criticism from jealous colleagues like Hume Cronyn. In fact that's how the film opens up with Cronyn getting a report from Margaret Hamilton who was from a place where Grant practiced his trade called Goose Creek. It was a report about Grant affected a lot of 'miracle' cures down in Goose Creek. Our boy Cronyn is looking for dirt with which he can discredit Cary.

Playing a most mysterious role in the proceedings is Finlay Currie who lives with Grant and is hardly ever not around him. At the faculty hearing that Cronyn has called to discuss the charges Cronyn has made because of his investigation, Currie's story is finally told and it is quite the tale indeed.

Cronyn has one of two roles that could be described as villainous. He's a nasty little Grinch like creature who thinks he can rise to the top by discrediting others. You find those in every profession, in every walk of life.

You also find people like Will Wright who is Jeanne Crain's uncle. She and her father, Sidney Blackmer, live on Wright's farm totally as his dependents. Blackmer is a cultured, cultivated man who unfortunately was never able to make a go of the various professions he tried, teacher, reporter, etc. Now with bad health he's come back to the family farm to live with Crain at the sufferance of Wright who proudly claims them as his dependents.

In defense of Wright he's no doubt a hard working individual, but he's as prosperous as he is because of government agricultural subsidies. In a scene very similar to one Elizabeth Taylor had in Giant, Grant rather firmly puts Wright down saying how unfortunate it is that brains and talent can't similarly be subsidized. Wright is such a philistine, the remark goes totally over him. It's my favorite scene in the film.

Besides those I've mentioned, look for a nice performance from Walter Slezak as Grant's friend and chief defender and Basil Ruysdael as the dean of the college conducting a hearing.

People Will Talk is a wonderful film about mostly some very nice people and the small contributions they make to make our planet a happy one. The only fault I have with it is I can't imagine Cary Grant coming from a place called Goose Creek.

I found this film oddly frustrating, and part of my problem may have been that it was billed as addressing a slew of great contemporary American issues, and the McCarthy witch-hunts in particular: I was expecting serious drama, not romantic comedy. As a drama, it waves its major plot line out of the way with such cursory ease that I couldn't believe that was the actual end of the film until the lights came up: I was expecting Cary Grant's nemesis to come back to bite him in a slightly more effective way. The whole sinister Shunderson thing (trailed in the very first scene) is inadequately explained, since the tale we're treated to really doesn't address any of the terrifying hints that have been dropped about him, and the nature of Praetorius' alleged crime is equally underwhelming -- with the build-up we were given, I was expecting him to have been engaged in zombie-raising or some kind of 'real' miracles that could have got him drummed out of a small-minded town, and disgraced in his profession...

But considered as romantic comedy, it's far too preachy and unevenly paced; frankly, I found it self-indulgent. There seem to be far too many separate elements of plot, and they're not particularly well connected. The comedy scenes are often pitch-forked in for no apparent reason (look, the German professor is eating sauerkraut and sausage! How hilarious!) and the romance does strain at the further bounds of belief. As an amateur musician myself, I enjoyed the orchestral scenes (complete with trombones oiling their slides in the background, and the inevitable player who fails to watch the conductor, even when the latter goes to wilder and wilder extremes to attract his attention), but even then I found the final scene a little unsubtle.

The film has many enjoyable moments, but as a story it's lacking both in shape and in pay-off. If a friend asked me, I wouldn't go so far as to recommend it.

Never has there been a more generous and humane movie.

It has been said that this this movie (gently, indirectly) attacked blacklisting. That may be so, but there is nothing didactic or political in it. This is first and foremost a love story and comedy, with dramatic tension provided by Hume Cronyn's wonderfully weaselly Professor Elwell (Elwell=Ill Will?), who is out to ruin Cary Grant's Dr. Praetorius.

Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain together give a luminous portrait of a couple falling in love. His acceptance of her, even though when they meet she is pregnant out of wedlock (very sticky in 1951), is complemented by her willingness to finally accept his love and move past her fear that Grant's feelings are pity more than love.

The climactic scene--an inquisition orchestrated by the narrow and spiteful Elwell--is a masterpiece, solving with an hilariously unlikely narrative the mystery of Mr. Shunderson, Praetorius's manservant.

One more thing: the grand and joyful Academic Festival Overture, conducted by Praetorus.

This movie is one of those which shows what we've lost in this era of car chases, CGI, and gross-out farce.

"People Will Talk" hearkens back to those classic Hollywood...oh, who the hell am I kidding: it's utter rubbish. Every second of watching it, you're slapped upside the head with the fact that it's a wooden script written by people who lacked enough wit to write for Preston Sturges or Howard Hawks, but are contractually-obligated to crank it out. Every line is a declamation with the most unnatural dialogue imaginable. This is the first time I've actually hated one of Cary Grant's characters in a film; he's absolutely insufferable, delivering one pompous pronouncement after another, through his nose. Hume Cronyn turns in a two-dimensional performance. The romance is utterly perfunctory, despite the lovely Jeanne Crain. Really, I can think of very little to recommend "People Will Talk" and I regret having wasted nearly two hours of my life on it.

This is indeed a very well hidden film which should be up there with North By Northwest, Citizen Kane, and the like. For its time, People Will Talk took on the most controversial topics of the day (even of TODAY) including: abortion, unintended pregnancy, HUAC and McCarthy-style witch hunting, taxpayer-subsidized farming not to grow food ... and the list goes on. Perhaps most up front is the defending of American individualism that was then (and is perhaps more than ever now) under attack. All of this was presented very cleverly, often with wholesome comedy. A great film with top actors, writing and direction. Only the very ending is a bit soppy ... not the least of which is the dopey expression on Carey Grant's face of imbecilic ecstasy while conducting his university's orchestra. Otherwise, it was a nearly perfect film.

This is very unique film. Superlatively written, it offers amusing dialog, social insight and enlightened views of science, women's issues, social mores, the nature of success, materialism and the urge to destroy what we cannot understand.

It is not boring, yet its main characters are doctors/composers, and professors. Though its setting is an elite clinic and a university, it is concerned with real people and their needs.

Cary Grant is at his warm, compassionate and wryly witty best.

His sidekick, so to speak, is the rumpled and likeable Walter Slezak. Hume Cronyn is superb as the little weasel who sets out to "investigate" i.e. slander and destroy the Cary Grant character. Sound familiar?

"People Will Talk" may be considered a comedy of manners of the 1950's and a companion piece to another, similarly-titled Cary Grant film, the lesser-known Frank Capra masterpiece "Talk of the Town." Both are intelligent, thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining Hollywood gems.

Don't forgot to check out the "typical farm family..." You'll recognize the narrow-minded, cliche-ridden, hypocritical patriarch of the clan...

I had been looking forward to this movie for awhile but i found it disappointing and it was too preachy at times. Joseph L. Mankiewicz was pretty liberal and he just seems to be attacking the house Un-American activities and senator McCarthy. It might of been fine back in the early 50s but 50 years later it just doesn't work. Hume Cronyn is a doctor who hates Cary Grant and is looking through his past trying to find something bad so he can get him kicked out. Their really isn't any reasoning behind Cronyn and his motive and you really don't even know why he wants to take him down. The part with Grant marrying a patient who had shot herself because she found out she was pregnant really didn't work and it was just annoying. I really didn't buy anything in this movie and it just isn't very good.

This film, far ahead of its time, presents a thoughtful, intelligent commentary on the issues the time, eerily relevant not only to the conservative 50's, but to just about any subsequent era. Noah Praetorious, played with the suave appeal with which Cary Grant always seemed to shine, shows us just how admirable and sympathetic a successful physician can actually be. His decision to court and marry Deborah Higgins, to his devoted friendship with Mr. Shunderson, sets a fine example for all of us about loyalty, friendship and love. And considering the political climate which existed at the time this film was made makes it all the more noteworthy. Dr. Praetorious's conviction to stand up to his accuser, portrayed by a well cast Hume Cronyn, says much for "doing the right thing". This film holds up well after close to 50 years, and the sensitivity written into the main character should be required study for any student about to embark upon a career as a physician.

This is indeed a film worth reviewing many times, for its amazing wit and overwhelmingly intelligent and interesting dialog and argument. A doctor is targeted for a character assassination by an envious colleague, a professor confined in a nutshell world of his own, digging out possible witnesses of his own kind who could report anything derogatory about the doctor, who gets involved with a fainting student at his lectures, who proves to be in an interesting condition. We never learn who the father is, and it could even be suspected that she doesn't know herself. There are many turns to this delicate case. At the same time the doctor is leading the students' orchestra, rehearsing a concert of Brahms, and it so happens, that the concert, providing the finale for the film, is scheduled directly after the hearing of the doctor's mysterious ways of practising by a university committee, wherein the strange case of Mr Shunderson (Finlay Currie in one of his best parts) finally is revealed but in a manner no one could be prepared for. It's one of Joe Mankiewicz's very best films, the virtuoso conversation keeps flooding throughout the film, which is the supreme pleasure among many of the film.

Finding a good movie is no easy task. Finding a great one is even more difficult. But not impossible!

Don't let the name "People will talk" fool you, this is no comedy, at least not totally. This picture was directed by Joe Mankiewicz, a man who's known for his complex characters and distinctive dramatic narrative has never been among my favorite directors but with "People will talk" he made a pleasant surprise.

From the very beginning the movie touches upon so many problems, some of which were very rarely spoken about in the fifties from the big screen, that it just falls on you and makes you think: gossips and rumors, pregnancy, witch hunt and above all suspicion of murder, going along with heartwarming themes of generosity, devotion, love and care for one another blend together in one great movie everyone must watch.

Cary Grant gives one of his best performances balancing between comedy and drama gracefully as ever - you just cannot take your eyes off of him when he's out there! A true master.

The film is a plea for tolerance and the right to privacy, and Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain and the rest of the cast are doing a good job. Still, the picture never really hits its stride, uneasily teetering between comedy and drama. As this is clearly not the fault of the actors, Mankiewicz must be to blame. Don't misunderstand me: On the whole I liked the film, but it could clearly have been much better.