Magic Town (1947)

50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(62 ratings)

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… More 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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: William A. Wellman
Written By: Joseph Krumgold, Robert Riskin
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 7, 1947 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A dated satire on pollsters, that lacks an edge.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Interesting comedy take on radio giveaway shows.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Miscast director bogged in a sappy movie.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Great cast giving excellent performances, fine director. script written by a top flight screenwriter but something is missing and this falls rather flat. Jane Wyman is very good indeed.

Cast

            E.J. Ballantine as Moody

            James Stewart as Lawrence "Rip" Smith

            Mary Currier as Mrs. Frisby

            Jane Wyman as Mary Peterman

            Kent Smith as Hoopendecker

            Julia Dean as Mrs. Wilton

            Ned Sparks as Ike Sloan

            Ann Doran as Mrs. Weaver

            Frank Fenton as Birch

            Wallace Ford as Lou Dicketts

            Regis Toomey as Ed Weaver

            Howard Freeman as Richard Nickleby

            Harry Holman as Mayor

            George Irving as Senator Wilson

            Donald Meek as Mr. Twiddle

            Mickey Roth as Bob Peterman

            Ann Shoemaker as Ma Peterson

            Griff Barnett as Henry

            Wheaton Chambers as Electrician

            George Chandler as Bus Driver

            Frank Darien as Quincy

            Edgar Dearing as Gray-haired Man

            Robert Dudley as Dickey the Reporter

            Dick Elliott
            
            Joel Friedkin as Dingle

            William Haade
            
            Edna Holland as Secretary

            John Ince as Postman

            Selmar Jackson as Charlie Stringer

            Mickey Kuhn as Hank Nickleby

            Paul Maxey as Fat Man in Hallway

            Danny Mummert as Benny

            Garry Owen as Man Smoking Offensive Cigar

            Eddie Parks as Bookkeeper

            Lee Phelps
            
            Harry "Snub" Pollard as Townsman

            Paul Scardon as Hodges

            Emmett Vogan as Reverend

            Eddy Waller as Newcomer

            Dick Wessel as Moving Man

            Lawrence Wheat as Sam Fuller

            Lee "Lasses" White as Old Timer

            Richard Belding as Junior Dicketts

            Jimmy Crane as Shorty
See full cast