People Will Talk

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People Will Talk

Released Aug 29, 1951

1h 50m

Comedy

Drama

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88%

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8 Reviews

79%

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2,500+ Ratings

The unorthodox methods of Midwestern physician and lecturer Noah Praetorious (Cary Grant) make him popular with students and patients but ruffle the pride of Professor Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn). When student Deborah Higgins (Jeanne Crain) faints in Noah's class and confides that she is pregnant and unmarried, Noah takes an interest in her. Eager to ruin Noah, Elwell uses the doctor's connection to Deborah and to a mysterious and shady friend to bring charges of unsuitability against him.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Joseph Mankiewicz's noble, mysterious 1951 comedy of medicine and mores...

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

Manny Farber

The Nation

Though People Will Talk is basically only a Dr. Kildare story about "good" medicine and "bad," it has been precociously adult-erated a the toniest film of the year.

Sep 15, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Despite the diminishing likelihood of a believable happy ending, there's an impressive authenticity to the leads' relationship, thanks chiefly to their performances.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 23, 2020

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

People Will Talk had the nerve to present two such conventional box-office stars as Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain in a highly unconventional story which the bankers who underwrite Hollywood would never have sanctioned a few years ago.

Nov 26, 2019

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 6, 2005

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Mankiewicz's chatty and dyspeptic liberal response to Senator McCarthy's witch hunting days.

Rated: B

Jan 8, 2004

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Ingrid B

Couldn’t even finish it. Film was all over the place.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

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Patricia W

Yeah,i watched this last night.Brutal.I usually love Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain is always lovely to look at but,this film stinks.It's talkie,boring and really has no likeable characters. I suppose it's overrated because of Joseph L. Mankiewicz but,this film isn't worth your time. One coincidence after another which all leads to nothing in the end.Pass.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

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Steve R

For the time this movie was made, the vision of Carey Grant's Doctor was very forward thinking considering the patient before there were ever was a patient bill of rights. Grant's humanity toward Jeanne Crain's character and Mr. Shunderson is exceptionally moving. Hume Cronyn played the jealous peer to perfection. Walter Slezak was a compassionate friend to Grant and a wonderful comedic presence. The concert ending with Grant conducting the student Orchestra was emotionally packed and a marvelous way to conclude the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/24

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nick s

I hate to knock one of the biggest stars of the era but I found Cary Grant's radio voice quite distracting. It sounded put on. The script does enjoy giving little social lectures, so plenty of exposition and yawn inducing speaches. Overall the movie wasn't bad but I didn't engage with it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/30/24

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Audience Member

This movie is sensitive and insightful to personal issues, consistently intelligent, authentic and intimate dialogue that is relevant today regarding health and relationships, friendly ribbing among colleagues, respect between friends, and turns a profoundly moving love interest into the most uplifting symbol of human triumph I've ever seen on screen. I never tire watching this movie. More intelligence is exchanged between two characters at any time than any movie today. Cary Grant is perfect in the role. An absolutely perfect and delightful movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Jessica C

Wonderful movie with the amazing Cary Grant. No one ever looked as good in a suit as him. The story is fun and interesting. Goes to show how much "modern" doctors had to go through in the past. Also, the dialogues are really good. And the actors? Wow. Such a great ensemble. Love it!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/12/20

Full Review

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Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Director

Cary Grant

Dr. Noah Praetorius

Jeanne Crain

Deborah Higgins

Finlay Currie

Shunderson

Walter Slezak

Prof. Barker

Hume Cronyn

Prof. Rodney Elwell

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Synopsis

The unorthodox methods of Midwestern physician and lecturer Noah Praetorious (Cary Grant) make him popular with students and patients but ruffle the pride of Professor Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn). When student Deborah Higgins (Jeanne Crain) faints in Noah's class and confides that she is pregnant and unmarried, Noah takes an interest in her. Eager to ruin Noah, Elwell uses the doctor's connection to Deborah and to a mysterious and shady friend to bring charges of unsuitability against him.

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 29, 1951, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 50m

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