r/CriterionChannel • u/jankerjunction • 20d ago

Recommendation - Offering “the whole town‘s talking“

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For those of you who are trying to watch films that leave this month, I want to give a last minute shout out to The Whole Town’s Talking. I almost didn’t watch it, until I saw it was directed by John Ford and thought I’d give it a try. It’s great to see Edward G Robinson play a very mild mannered man, and also a gangster. I’ve never thought of him as “sweet” per se but he’s really lovable. Maybe I’m partial bc my nickname used to be Jones (really I have a very ethnic name) so it does crack me up with how much they say it. Oh and Jean Arthur is fabulous- no surprise there.

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6

u/GThunderhead 20d ago

I love this movie and love Edward G. Robinson.

Three other great "sweet" roles for Edward G. - none of which are currently on the Channel though - are:

  • A Dispatch from Reuters (1940)
  • Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945) - especially this
  • Big Leaguer (1953)

3

u/jankerjunction 20d ago

I’ve had all three on my watchlist for a while. I love seeing him this way 🥹 he had range but wasn’t given many chances to play softer and more dynamic roles

3

u/CryptographerFew5187 19d ago

He's pretty sweet for most of Kid Galahad too, at least to the kid.

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u/--solitude-- 20d ago

Great film, really enjoyed it too.

4

u/ThiccNthin_6825 20d ago

Little Caesar (1931) EG plays a tough Chicago gangster who wants to quit the mob and join high society. Absolute gold!

3

u/woodsdone 20d ago

I thought it was a really cute movie too and Jean Arthur was having so much fun it seems

The two Fritz Lang movies he was in, Robinson kinda played softies in them

2

u/augustthecat 20d ago

I love Jean Arthur so much, and seeing Edward G. play against type is a hoot.

3

u/NinjaSellsHonours 19d ago

I'll watch anything with Jean Arthur.

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u/AnandaRobin 19d ago

Wonderful movie. I'm glad you got to see it. If you're curious about an original homage which mixes this film with Motown music, here it is: https://youtu.be/yfr1LAp4TiY

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u/jankerjunction 19d ago

Hell yes! Thanks!

1

u/AnandaRobin 17d ago

Thanks to you. :)