Tales of Manhattan (1942)

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(300 ratings)

Tales of Manhattan is a sumptuous multipart film centered around a formal tailcoat. The coat is specially designed for stage actor Charles Boyer, who wears it during a rendezvous with his lady friend (Rita Hayworth). The lady's husband (Thomas Mitchell) shoots Boyer, thus the tailcoat is damaged… More Tales of Manhattan is a sumptuous multipart film centered around a formal tailcoat. The coat is specially designed for stage actor Charles Boyer, who wears it during a rendezvous with his lady friend (Rita Hayworth). The lady's husband (Thomas Mitchell) shoots Boyer, thus the tailcoat is damaged merchandise and sold at a discount to a bridegroom (Cesar Romero). When the groom's peccadillos catch up to him, the bride (Ginger Rogers) chooses to marry the best man (Henry Fonda) instead, and the coat is shipped off to a second hand store. It is purchased by a would-be composer (Charles Laughton), who wears it the night that he is to conduct his first symphony; alas, the coat is too tight and tears apart, nearly ruining the conductor's debut. Stitched back together, the coat is donated to a skid row mission, wherein the kindly proprietor gives the coat to a down and out drunkard (Edward G. Robinson) so that the shabby gentleman can attend his 25th college reunion. Later on, the coat is stolen by a crook (J. Carroll Naish) in order to gain entrance to a fancy charity ball. The crook holds up the ball and stuffs the loot in the pockets of the coat, but while escaping in an airplane he loses the outer garment. The coat floats down to an impoverished African American shanty community; a farmer (Paul Robeson) decides to distribute the "money from heaven" amongst his needy neighbors. At the end, the tattered coat adorns the shoulders of a scarecrow. Tales of Manhattan is one of the best "portmanteau" dramas turned out by Hollywood; it was directed by French expatriate Julien Duvivier, a past master of the multi-story technique. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Julien Duvivier
Written By: Samuel Hoffenstein, Henry Blankfort
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 24, 1942 Wide
On DVD: May 7, 1996

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Charming episodic urban comedy drama.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark K

I guess I'm on a classics kick this week. Tales from Manhattan is an odd little film made up a series of episodes and vignettes where a tailcoat changes the lives of a number of people. Fate can be capricious, though, and some do well and others poorly by owning the coat.… More
I guess I'm on a classics kick this week. Tales from Manhattan is an odd little film made up a series of episodes and vignettes where a tailcoat changes the lives of a number of people. Fate can be capricious, though, and some do well and others poorly by owning the coat. With an engaging mix of stories linked together, and a terrific cast of studio power names, Tales of Manhattan is still fun to watch. There's two versions: Either its theatrical release (five stories) or a 'restored' release with the sixth story as part of the disc set. The film isn't without its weaknesses, with a weaker story near the end about a poor black family finding the coat that used far too many stereotypes. However, the love triangles are carried off well, and two of the stories are standouts: Charles Laughton as a struggling composer, and Edward G. Robinson as a man who has lost everything are, in my opinion two of the most heartfelt episodes. Overall, a gem that many people have probably not seen.

Cast

            Charles Boyer as Paul Orman

            Rita Hayworth as Ethel Halloway

            Ginger Rogers as Diane

            Henry Fonda as George

            Charles Laughton as Charles Smith

            Edward G. Robinson as Avery "Larry" L. Browne

            Paul Robeson as Luke

            Ethel Waters as Esther

            Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson as Rev. Lazarus

            Thomas Mitchell as John Halloway

            Eugene Pallette as Luther

            Cesar Romero as Harry Wilson

            Gail Patrick as Ellen

            Roland Young as Edgar the Butler

            Marion Martin as Squirrel

            Elsa Lanchester as Elsa Smith

            Victor Francen as Arturo Bellini

            George Sanders as Williams

            James Gleason as Father Joe

            Harry Davenport as Professor Lyons

            James Rennie as Hank Bronson

            J. Carrol Naish as Costello

            Frank Orth as Secondhand Clothes Dealer

            Christian Rub as Wilson

            Sig Arno as Piccolo Player

            Harry Hayden as Soupy Davis

            Morris Ankrum as Judge Barnes

            Donald Douglas as Henderson

            Mae Marsh as Molly

            Clarence Muse as Grandpa

            George H. Reed as Christopher

            Cordell Hickman as Nicodemus

            Barbara Lynn as Mary

            Adeline de Walt Reynolds as Grandmother

            Helene Reynolds as Actress

            Archie Savage as Man

            Olive Ball as Woman

            Don Beddoe as Whistler

            Don Brady as Whistler

            Jack Chefe as Tailor

            Gino Corrado as Spectator

            Frank Dae as Elderly Man

            Frank Darien as Grandpa

            W.C. Fields as (in restored episode) (uncredited)

            Charles Gray as Rod

            Robert Greig as Lazar

            The Hall Johnson Choir as Themselves

            William Halligan as Oliver Webb

            Esther Howard as Woman

            Philip Hurlic as Jeff

            Frank Jaquet as Musician

            Johnny Lee as Carpenter

            Connie Leon as Mary

            Forbes Murray as Dignified Man

            Alex Pollard as Waiter

            Dewey Robinson as Bar Proprietor

            Ted Stanhope as Chauffeur

            Charles Tannen as Pilot

            Blue Washington as Black Man

            Eric Wilton as Halloway's Butler

            Will Wright as Skeptic

            John Kelly as Monk

            Charles Williams as Paul's Agent

            Tom O'Grady as Latecomer

            Buster Brodie as Call Boy

            Rita Christiani as Woman

            Joseph E. Bernard as Postman
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