People Will Talk (1951)

I love Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain, but this one is an uneven stinker. It's dumb and too long and doesn't know if it wants to be a comedy, drama or a mystery.The basic gist is, Jeanne Crain is a college student who gets knocked up, attempts suicide and gets rewarded with Cary Grant's (Dr. Praetorius) affections.But even though they get married, the story isn't a romance or about the ill effects on society of single motherhood as both story lines seem to take a back seat to Hume Cronyn's witch hunt into past and Dr. Praetorius' mysterious sidekick (Mr. Shunderson).It would have been far more interesting for the plot to move along Shunderson's strange, almost supernatural, affect on people, but they didn't go there except through inference. I suppose why this boring film has such high ratings is 1) because it is seen as an indictment of anti-communists 2) it makes no attempt to negatively portray premarital sex, but the accolades are undeserved. Perhaps if it was 80 minutes long and they stuck to a single plot line it would have been more interesting, but with thousands of unwatched movies out there, don't bother wasting your time on this one.

Cary Grant plays a gynecologist named Dr. Praetorius (no relation to the famous character from Bride of Frankenstein, I presume) who finds himself the subject of a witch hunt at the hands of a jealous colleague (Hume Cronyn). One of Cary Grant's lesser known and under-appreciated films. It's an intelligent, thought-provoking drama from writer & director Joseph Mankiewicz, with some comedy sprinkled throughout. Obviously one wouldn't have to stretch to see some political overtones to it, given the time in which it was made. Fine work by a strong cast. In addition to Grant, who's terrific, there's the great Finlay Currie, Walter Slezak, Jeanne Crain, Sidney Blackmer, and Margaret Hamilton. Hume Cronyn makes a particularly slimy villain. One of the few flaws with the film is that Grant's character is a little too perfect. I mean there's saintly and then there's this guy. Still, it's a very good film that gives you a lot to chew on. I'm not sure why it isn't more well-known, except that a lot of the classic movie stars fit certain molds and, even today, I think fans prefer to see them in those types of films.

It's interesting to note the relatively solid rating this film gets here on IMDb (7.3 at the time of this writing), and to read the reviews and discussion. There's no doubt about it -- this is an odd film -- almost desafinado -- slightly out of tune.The opening segment of the film is interesting...and funny. Pipsqueak Professor Elwell (Hume Cronyn) is interviewing Margaret Hamilton (the witch in "The Wizard Of Oz") trying to find out information about the mysterious Dr. Praetorious (Cary Grant) and his constant companion Shunderson (Finlay Currie; the devout follower of Christ in "Ben-Hur").From there we meet young Jeanne Crain who faints in class. She goes to Dr. Praetorius and learns she is pregnant, and he learns she is unwed. She attempts suicide and stays at his clinic, but then disappears. But, Cary Grant pursues her to her uncle's farm where she and her father unhappily live...but not for long...he proposes.And then comes the climax of the film -- the hearing where Elwell brings charges against Preatorious. It's a great scene as Grant responds to all the charges, one by one. But then comes the question about the mysterious Shunderson, which he refuses to answer. Will he fall on this? No, because Shunderson enters the room and tells his own marvelous story. Hearing over. And Shunderson, in private, calls Elwell a "little man".I enjoy this film every time I watch it, and I must have watched it more than half-a-dozen times. And the main reason I enjoy it is the wonderful performance of an aging and very tan Cary Grant; it really is one of his best performances. Jeanne Crain is superb here, as well, and this is one of her best role. Finlay Currie is wonderful as the mysterious Shunderson. Although his character is not likable, Hume Cronyn's performance is exceptional. Walter Slezak plays a lovable curmudgeon who is friends with Praetorious. And this was the film where I first noticed Sidney Blackmer...a fine and underrated character actor; this is one of his best roles. Basil Ruysdael does well as the college dean.Earlier I said that this film was almost desafinado. But that is not a negative. It's gloriously different. Highly recommended!

Another reviewer has already used the word "superb" for Cronyn's performance so I will abandon my original intent to use it.I saw this movie fifty to sixty or so years ago but Cronyn's characterization was so impressive that it is still a vivid memory.And to do that in a supporting role . . .I must go watch it again.That was all I wanted to say but I am faced with the 10 line rule; so ...Walter Slezak once again demonstrated his versatility to good effect. I had a big crush on Jeanne Crain in the fifties so seeing her in a sympathetic romantic role was a treat. Grant had reached his peak by this point and maintained it well for years.