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By
NICK ZEGARAC
"The Talk of the Town" is a rousing classic that seemingly embarks on its narrative with stern seriousness, only to effortlessly melt into a divinely inspired screwball comedy.
It stars Cary Grant as Leopold Dilg, an escaped prisoner, suspected of being an arsonist. But when Leopold, alone and wounded, stumbles upon landlord Nora Shelly (Jean Arthur), preparing her home for a new tenant, she takes pity on his weakened condition and allows him to occupy the attic. Problem: the new tenant is Michael Lightcap (Ronald Colman) a justice who has been newly appointed to the Supreme Court. How Lightcap learns of Dilg's true identity and the impending adventure the two men and the landlord embark upon to uncover the truth behind the arson is the stuff that comic dreams are made of. Director, George Steven's nimbly directs this film from one improbable plot point to its conclusion, never without making the whole menagerie believable and charming.
Columbia Pictures has regressed in their shoddy film transfers. The DVD is a thoroughly rough viewing experience with excessive film grain, fine detail shimmering, aliasing problems and varying degrees of stock footage. There's nothing smooth about the way this Oscar nominated Best Picture looks and that's truly a shame. The hi-def packaging is deceptive. Note: the phrasing "remastered in hi-def" means nothing unless the source elements have first been cleaned up. Let the buyer beware! Over all, a mediocre experience.
"The Talk of the Town" is stellar entertainment marred by a hideous transfer. On smaller television sets many of these anomalies will not cause great distress to your viewing experience. But if you are preparing to launch this title on a home theater, you will have nothing to talk about afterward. |
