The Talk of the Town - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Most film fans revere George Stevens for his trio of post-World War II masterworks - A Place in the Sun, Shane, and Giant - but the director's pre-war output is every bit as impressive. Stevens' films of the 1930s and early 1940s may be lighter in tone and reflect an innocence and idealism his later works lack, but there's plenty of substance beneath the humor and romance.

The Talk of the Town is a prime example. Stevens' penultimate film before the director undertook a life-changing military assignment to document the war in Europe, this nuanced comedy blends laugh-out-loud moments with serious undertones about the law, disinformation, tribalism, and our nation's rush-to-judgment mentality. At times, Stevens seems to channel Frank Capra as he chronicles one man's fight against the system and exposes society's underbelly (he's helped by co-screenwriter Sidney Buchman, who scripted the quintessential Capra classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington three years before), but the interplay between the characters and sensitivity to human frailties make The Talk of the Town very much a Stevens film.

When liberal activist Leopold Dilg (Cary Grant) escapes from prison while awaiting trial for both burning down a New Hampshire mill and the death of a millworker caught in the blaze, he takes refuge at the home of his childhood friend Nora Shelley (Jean Arthur) in the hope she will provide shelter while he tries to clear his name. Leopold convinces Nora of his innocence, but the two must keep his identity a secret from Michael Lightcap (Ronald Colman), a renowned law professor who has rented Nora's cottage for the summer with the intention of writing a book. Leopold masquerades as "Joseph the gardener" and Nora takes a job as Lightcap's secretary and cook to try and keep Lightcap in the dark.

All the hubbub surrounding Leopold's escape keeps Lightcap from getting the New England tranquility he expects, but after a rocky beginning the three become close friends, even as both men vie for Nora's affections. Leopold and Nora also hope Lightcap will become a legal advocate for Leopold and protect him from what they believe will be an unfair trial in a close-minded community that has stacked the deck against him.

For most of its almost two-hour running time, The Talk of the Town deftly mixes comedy and drama. The literate script by Buchman and Irwin Shaw, who would later pen the bestselling novel Rich Man, Poor Man, falters a bit here and there (a couple of contrivances drag the film down), but Stevens' fluid direction and the magnetism of the three lead actors smooth over any rough patches.

Leopold is a change-of-pace role for Grant, and though he tackles it with his usual mix of wit, charm, and conviction, it's tough not to think someone like John Garfield might have been more believable as a bad boy revolutionary. Grant and Arthur rekindle the chemistry they created a few years earlier in Only Angels Have Wings, while the debonair Colman supplies the earnestness necessary to hammer home the movie's lofty themes. His impassioned speech about the law and what it means and how it needs to be honored and respected surely wielded power during World War II, but it just might carry more weight in today's topsy-turvy world.

A marvelous supporting cast adds plenty of color to the proceedings. The always endearing Edgar Buchanan delivers one of the movie's best lines when speaking about Leopold - "He's the only honest man I've come across in this town in 20 years. Naturally, they want to hang him." - and Glenda Farrell, Charles Dingle, Rex Ingram, and a slew of others enjoy fine moments. You'll even spot a young Lloyd Bridges in a minor role as a fast-talking newspaperman early in the film.

The Talk of the Town was a big hit when first released and earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Best Editing, and Best Music Score. Though it came up empty on Oscar night (Mrs. Miniver took home the Best Picture prize), its timeless themes temper any dated qualities and help it remain relevant more than 80 years later. The picture may not stand as one of Stevens' signature titles, but it reminds us once again why he's regarded as one of Hollywood's most important and talented directors.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

The Talk of the Town arrives on 4K UHD packaged in a standard case inside a sleeve. A leaflet containing the code to access the Movies Anywhere digital copy is tucked inside the front cover. Video codec is 2160/HEVC H.265 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.

Despite its renown, The Talk of the Town has never been released on Blu-ray, so to see Sony skip 1080p and lavish this Oscar-nominated classic with a 4K UHD release is both surprising and most welcome. I'm not sure what source material was used for this 2160p/HEVC H.265 transfer with Dolby Vision HDR, but the finished product genuinely sparkles and faithfully honors Ted Tetzlaff's Oscar-nominated cinematography. The natural grain structure remains intact and preserves the feel of celluloid, but the image also exudes a lovely vibrancy that helps fine details shine. Clarity and contrast are superb. Water droplets and reflections couldn't be crisper, blacks are rich, whites are bright and stable, and beautifully varied grays bring costume and upholstery patterns to life. Shadow delineation is quite good, crush is largely absent, and sharp close-ups highlight pores and facial hair and flatter the glamorous stars. The spotless print is free of damage, and though a few soft moments creep in here and there, the overall presentation is practically flawless and will thrill those who have waited patiently for this cinematic gem to get its well-deserved high-def makeover.

The DTS-HD Master Audio mono track supplies clear, well-modulated sound. Sonic accents like thunder, Grant's snoring, a backfiring scooter, sirens, and a barking dog are wonderfully distinct, while subtle atmospherics like rain and a crackling fire enhance the on-screen mood. A wide dynamic scale allows the Oscar-nominated music score by Friedrich Hollaender to fill the room with ease and all the dialogue is easy to comprehend. No distortion is present and no age-related hiss, pops, or crackle intrude.

Just a couple of extras are included on the disc.

• Audio Commentary by author Marilyn Ann Moss
• Featurette: "Talking About The Talk of the Town" (HD, 5 minutes) - Producer George Stevens Jr. shares memories about his father's film and discusses his flair for comedy and collaborations with Cary Grant in this 2006 featurette produced for the movie's DVD release.

The Talk of the Town holds up well more than 80 years after its premiere and still strikes a chord with its socially relevant themes. Grant, Arthur, and Colman make a formidable triumvirate and, as always, Stevens' sensitive direction is spot on. Sony's 4K UHD transfer with Dolby Vision HDR delights the eye, the remastered audio supplies some punch, and a couple of supplements add context and perspective. Classics fans have waited a long time for this release, which doesn't disappoint in any department. Highly Recommended.
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