Magic Town (1947) - DaaVeeDee

Magic Town (1947) (DVD) (*)

$22.99

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )

Product Origin/Format:
Italy ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
94 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Black & White

Movie filmed in 1947 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
William A. Wellman

Written By:
Robert Riskin
Joseph Krumgold

Actors:
James Stewart ..... Rip Smith
Jane Wyman ..... Mary Peterman
Kent Smith ..... Hoopendecker
Ned Sparks ..... Ike
Wallace Ford ..... Lou Dicketts
Regis Toomey ..... Ed Weaver
Ann Doran ..... Mrs. Weaver
Donald Meek ..... Mr. Twiddle
E.J. Ballantine ..... Moody
Ann Shoemaker ..... Ma Peterman
Mickey Kuhn ..... Hank Nickleby
Howard Freeman ..... Nickleby
Harry Holman ..... Mayor
Mary Currier ..... Mrs. Frisby
Mickey Roth ..... Bob Peterman

Synopsis:

With Robert Riskin as screenwriter, director William Wellman proved in Magic Town that it was possible to make a Frank Capra-esque picture without Capra himself at the helm. James Stewart plays Rip Smith, a cynical pollster who comes across a small American town named Grandview, which represents a 'perfect' balance of ethnic types, professions, political beliefs, and personal opinions (a parody of the then-current 'Middletown' study). Smith publicizes this discovery, leading to a barrage of media attention and an onslaught of get-rich-quick entrepreneurs. Not surprisingly, all of this has an adverse effect on the heretofore 'average' citizens of Grandview; it also seriously threatens Smith's blossoming romance with local girl Mary Peterman (Jane Wyman), who feels that her friends and neighbors are being used, exploited, and in some cases, corrupted. The satirical thrust of the film bogs down into sentimentality toward the end, but it's fun while it lasts. One of the colorful supporting characters is played by screwball-comedy favorite Donald Meek, who died during production, necessitating a number of hasty and not altogether successful rewrites. Though it pleases audiences today, Magic Town was a financial disappointment in 1947, prompting James Stewart to seek out 'tougher' and more challenging roles to restore his box-office appeal.

A poll organiser settles in a small town whose occupants have an uncanny gift for being right. He is exposed by the girl he loves, but when the publicity has died down they settle down.

An opinion pollster finds a town which is a perfect mirror of U.S. opinions.

This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 10 March, 2012.