UHD Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - The Talk of the Town -- in 4k UHD (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Within the pantheon of filmmakers of the classic era, George Stevens, while of the finest, has had very few of his films released in 4k.

Columbia makes slight amends with their release of his brilliant 1942 The Talk of the Town, featuring a few actors that will be known to those who speak classic cinema - Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman. Much akin to Mr. Stevens' work be underrepresented, Mr. Colman is in a similar position.

I'm a huge fan, as I've been seeing his face daily for the past two years, as a project moves slowly toward completion.

I don't wish to sound like a huckster with my words, but as I review films - old and new - few carry the luster, the brilliant screenwriting, technical bona fides and acting as The Talk of the Town.

It's a nourish, comedy, romance with socially meaningful attributes.

It's an 85 year-old piece of perfect cinema.

I'll not mention plot, as that would take away part of the pleasure.

Short and sweet.

Grab a copy and be amazed that someone how you may have overlooked this one.

I'd like to see The More the Merrier arrive next, please.

Image (Dolby Vision)

Forensic - 10
NSD - 10

Audio – 10 (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Monaural)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Makes use of and works well in 4k - 7

Upgrade from DVD - Yes

Worth your attention - Absolutely

Slipcover rating - n/a

Looks like Film - 10

Very Highly Recommended


RAH

 

[roxy1927]

Ronald Colman is one of the greats and gets 3rd billing? How well known is he today? Yet when the film opened at the Music Hall(where else would it open in NY?) the Times review gives him the photo. And he would get top billing in the Christmas movie Random Harvest which was such a huge hit it would play into March.
Am I one of the few people left alive who has seen The Late George Apley in a cinema?

 

[Nick*Z]

Love Ronald Colman. Especially, Random Harvest, The Prisoner of Zenda, The Late George Apley, A Double Life, Kismet, Lost Horizon, A Tale of Two Cities and Arrowsmith.

 

[Robert Harris]

A little love to Beau Geste, please. Premiering at TCM Fest in April at the Egyptian.

Extraordinary actor.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Wrote a paper about this film for one of my college film school studies.

Revisited it nearly a decade ago while cycling through Cary Grant’s complete filmography.

And recently enjoyed watching this excellent release with my wife. The wonderful thing about the film is how well it balances the triangle between the three leads. Up until the very last second, my wife genuinely could not guess which man Arthur was going to end up with, and to make that kind of subplot so well that the answer isn’t obvious is a real achievement.

 

[Robert Harris]

Wrote a paper about this film for one of my college film school studies.

Revisited it nearly a decade ago while cycling through Cary Grant’s complete filmography.

And recently enjoyed watching this excellent release with my wife. The wonderful thing about the film is how well it balances the triangle between the three leads. Up until the very last second, my wife genuinely could not guess which man Arthur was going to end up with, and to make that kind of subplot so well that the answer isn’t obvious is a real achievement.

It’s Stevens.

 

[Rob W]

I've never seen this one, but will wait until TCM and see it in a theatre first - provided it's not up against Beau Geste which will be a priority.

 

[roxy1927]

Mr Harris could this be Colman's Beau Geste? I've seen the Lubitsch Lady's Windermere's Fan at FF. Beau Geste is on youtube but it's hardly the way you want to see it.

 

[Robert Harris]

Mr Harris could this be Colman's Beau Geste? I've seen the Lubitsch Lady's Windermere's Fan at FF. Beau Geste is on youtube but it's hardly the way you want to see it.

Wait until April. We’ve been working on it for two years.

 

[Robert Harris]

Interesting tech attribute that I noticed about TotT. It has multiple uses of “soft cuts.”

 

[battlebeast]

I’d love to see Ronald Coleman’s Oscar winning performance, A DOUBLE LIFE.

There are several Silent films I’d love to see restored… CHANG, ALIBI, THE RACKET, THE CROWD, THE PATRIOT (I know it’s lost, but the trailer and one reel survive, as well as allegedly some bits and pieces.)

 

[Robert Harris]

I’d love to see Ronald Coleman’s Oscar winning performance, A DOUBLE LIFE.

There are several Silent films I’d love to see restored… CHANG, ALIBI, THE RACKET, THE CROWD, THE PATRIOT (I know it’s lost, but the trailer and one reel survive, as well as allegedly some bits and pieces.)

I believe The Racket is coming. Thought Double Life was out.

 

[roxy1927]

Wait until April. We’ve been working on it for two years.

Whatever it may be I can't wait.

I’d love to see Ronald Coleman’s Oscar winning performance, A DOUBLE LIFE.

What a movie this is. I couldn't believe it. This is a Cukor movie written by Gorden and Kanin? 40s NY film noir at its darkest and most disturbing. Though I did get a kick out of seeing at the beginning the north side of W45th and Broadway which I knew well in the 70s before they tore it down in the early 80s. The Astor Hotel I only knew as a huge hole in the ground.

 

[bujaki]

I believe The Racket is coming. Thought Double Life was out.

A Double Life was released by Olive in 2012.
Good news on the forthcoming The Racket.
I know Beau Geste is showing at the TCM film festival. When will a BD become available? I've only seen the cut version owned by MoMA.

 

[Robert Crawford]

09-18-12 Blu-ray:

 

[Robert Harris]

A Double Life was released by Olive in 2012.
Good news on the forthcoming The Racket.
I know Beau Geste is showing at the TCM film festival. When will a BD become available? I've only seen the cut version owned by MoMA.

Should be available this year.

 

[battlebeast]

WHAT?! THE RACKET IS COMING???

I did not know A DOUBLE LIFE was released… Is still available?

 

[Mark McSherry]

Ebay currently lists nine copies of Olive's A DOUBLE LIFE mostly in the $20-$30 range. I have the Olive disc and agree with this reviewer's take.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I did not know A DOUBLE LIFE was released… Is still available?

Probably not at the major retailers.

 

[Nick*Z]

A little love to Beau Geste, please. Premiering at TCM Fest in April at the Egyptian.

Extraordinary actor.

Was always partial to the Gary Cooper '39 version of Beau Geste. But Colman's is the original. I love it too.