Edward G Robinson & Jean Arthur in John Ford's (comedy!) "The Whole Town's Talking" (1935)

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!

[@stanedwards309]

What's better than Edward G.Robinson in a movie? Two Edward G.Robinsons.

[@scotnick59]

CUTE AS HELLAnd the print is pristine😅

[@tiamatxvxianash9202]

What an original story. Simply fabulous!

[@cherylsimmons784]

Yes! And no cussing 😁❤

[@cgrable8342]

Just simple plain fun, really enjoyed this one. Thanks.

[@anneemms4934]

What an interesting character he plays. Nice to see him playing a meek character, as he is normally viewed in twisted and crooked roles

[@tinkerbell2675]

I was going to put down about Robinsons acting in this movie....but you said it best. He did a great job at it.

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

Was he the guy in Scarlet Street?

[@jessk2759]

So true! "The Red House"

[@sandyzeiss2589]

This was definitely good!!!

[@WaterShowsProd]

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.

[@laurabrowning7973]

So true! Mr. Robinson was a brilliant actor!

[@roberthevern6169]

Should be a great Friday, John Ford, Edward G. Robinson and Jean Arthur in The Whole Town's Talking, from 1935!

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

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 .👍

[@tinkerbell2675]

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.

[@kimivy7234]

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!!!

[@marbleman52]

@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...!!!

[@rjmcallister1888]

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.

[@JoLoRod1]

I keep coming back to The Quiet Man every so often. Great fun.

[@rosemariemann1719]

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.😊 🇬🇧😊💙🇺🇲✔️📽️🇬🇧

[@itzakpoelzig330]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll keep an eye out for that one!

[@xmillion1704]

@1:12:29 “ . . . coked up rat.” Wow! How interesting to hear such a virtually casual reference in that era.

[@WaterShowsProd]

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.

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

Cocaine was the upper and alcohol was the downer, both totally socially acceptable for a long time!

[@terryburns184]

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.

[@elchoya8432]

when asked about this film,john ford said "it was alright i guess,i never saw it"!

[@Hisloyalservantslistenlove613c]

Thank you

[@amyjones8114]

He got stinko! 😂

[@SallySallySallySally]

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!

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Thank you, funny movie ! Don’t forget The McIntyre Account 😂

[@passionfruitfruit]

Thank you, that was so enjoyable!

[@rosemariemann1719]

53.52 : Effective split screen : Slick transfer of newspaper , behind lamp.✔️📽️ 🇬🇧💙🇺🇲📽️✔️😊🇬🇧

[@rosemariemann1719]

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 ! 😊📽️🇬🇧💙🇺🇲 🇬🇧💙📽️😊🇺🇲

[@sageparsely2365]

Good ol' Eddy G❤

[@bettyprettyprincess]

❤❤❤

[@rosemariemann1719]

24 mins 56 : Ah ! They just checked fingerprints.... 🇬🇧💙🇺🇲📽️😊🇬🇧

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

It took a lot longer back then LOL

[@checkeredflagfilms]

Time have really changed!

[@Dr.Pepper001]

Now do it my way, see.

[@rubberdc]

LOVED Jean Arthur. She suffered badly from stage fright , and surprisingly , she didnt think she was good looking .

[@ericastier1646]

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 a 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 higher levels after ww2 and is now in the highest institutions of usa, is centr bk and in the profound surrogate gov.

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

Wait this is a comedy??

[@rosemariemann1719]

Yes, a comedy. We naturally felt sorry for Jones, but it did end happily...😊🇬🇧 🦉😊🦉🌈💙😊

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

@@rosemariemann1719 There was a murder. I never laughed. Not comedy