People Will Talk
1951
A lovely movie featuring Cary Grant in one of his more inscrutable roles as an angel of mercy to the sick, recalling his work in THE BISHOP'S WIFE. PEOPLE WILL TALK focuses on Dr. Praetorius, a non-traditional doctor whose patients and medical students love him, while his success spurs the jealousy of fellow doctors, including .. Read more
| Starring | Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain, Finlay Currie, Hume Cronyn |
|---|---|
| Director | Joseph L. Mankiewicz |
| Genres | Comedy |
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People Will Talk
A lovely movie featuring Cary Grant in one of his more inscrutable roles as an angel of mercy to the sick, recalling his work in THE BISHOP'S WIFE. PEOPLE WILL TALK focuses on Dr. Praetorius, a non-traditional doctor whose patients and medical students love him, while his success spurs the jealousy of fellow doctors, including teaching rival Shunderson. Content with his life, the doctor is thrown a curve ball when a beautiful but unmarried mother-to-be confirms her pregnancy at his clinic, then tries to shoot herself to avoid shaming her father. Taking unconventional healing a step farther, Praetorius marries her; their happiness is disrupted when Shunderson's mysterious past is brought into the light, perhaps to topple Praetorius's reputation and career. Weaving in the theme that doctors should treat the whole person, not only the disease, PEOPLE WILL TALK graces the pantheon of comic, romantic dramas; it is based on the play DR. PRAETORIUS, by Curt Goetz.
| Starring | Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain, Finlay Currie, Hume Cronyn, Walter Slezak |
|---|---|
| Director | Joseph L. Mankiewicz |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 46 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 01 Aug 2005 Production year: 1951 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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The title is apt indeed: this is one of the talkiest movies Joseph L Mankiewicz ever wrote and directed. On paper, it's a romantic comedy about a doctor (Cary Grant) who treats, then marries already pregnant Jeanne Crain, much to the chagrin of both the academic fraternity and the moral majority. Along the way, however, Mankiewicz takes pot shots at American sexual morality, tax evasion, the Korean war, the McCarthy witch-hunts and a lot more besides. Though the film is bombastic and visually static, Grant is on top form, while you have to hand it to Mankiewicz for bravery in the face of 1950s conformity.
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Oddly entertaining jumble of melodrama, comedy, romance, speeches and a little mystery, all quite typical of its director.
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Most helpful member's review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
A Neglected Classic
The film was ignored when released in 1951 but has gradually attained cult status. Unusually for a romantic comedy the first few minutes concern an unwed Jeanne Crain attempting suicide when she learns from doctor Cary Grant that she is pregnant. Grant plays the brilliant, yet unauthodox Dr Noah Praetorius who is hounded by the jealous Professor Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn)who hopes to find a dark secret in his past. The secret involves Praetorius's mysterious companion Mr. Shunderson brilliantly played by Finlay Currie. The film is a wry commentary on sexual mores of the 50s and the McCarthyite persecution of non
conformists.Recommended. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Odd...
This is quite an atypical Cary Grant film. But it is interesting, if somewhat strange, especially the final revelation. At times it felt like it was trying to inject humour, but wasn't sure whether it should or not - probably shouldn't have tried, I think. But worth a look, particularly if you're a Cary fan.
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