The Whole Town's Talking (Passport to Fame) (1935)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(314 ratings)

The film that revived Edward G. Robinson's career after a string of flops, along with A Slight Case of Murder (1938), it was one of the few comedies on his lengthy list of credits. The gangster-comedy was unusual in the composition of its writing staff, which included frequent Frank Capra… More The film that revived Edward G. Robinson's career after a string of flops, along with A Slight Case of Murder (1938), it was one of the few comedies on his lengthy list of credits. The gangster-comedy was unusual in the composition of its writing staff, which included frequent Frank Capra collaborators Robert Riskin and Jo Swerling, as well as tough-guy scribe W.R. Burnett, who wrote Little Caesar (1931) and High Sierra (1941). The plot centers on the confusion surrounding the uncanny resemblance of a mild-mannered advertising clerk, Arthur Jones (Robinson), to escaped convict "Killer" Mannion. After the police mistakenly arrest the clerk, they give him a passport to avoid repeating the error. As a novelty, newspaper man Healy (Wallace Ford) hires the clerk, an aspiring writer, to do a series on his impressions of Mannion. But later, the convict appears at Jones' apartment and demands the passport for his own protection, threatening the fearful clerk if he reveals anything about his visit. The criminal also orders Jones to write the series of articles based on his reminiscences, which alerts the police that something strange is going on. Although the district attorney finally places Jones in jail under protective custody, for his safety, Mannion switches places with him in order to kill another inmate. ~ Michael Costello, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: John Ford
Written By: Jo Swerling, Robert Riskin
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 22, 1935 Wide
On DVD: Apr 21, 1998

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...generally an amiable little comedy that benefits greatly from the charisma of its two leads.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A sheer joy to watch.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Great gangster comedy . Classic Eddie G.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I saw this on TV, it was such a great movie, I'm glad they only had one or two commercial breaks. Robinson and Arthur are fantastic in this movie. It's funny and exciting. I highly recommend it.
Luke B

The set up is wonderful, like something out of a Shakespeare comedy. Unfortunately the film only focuses on one of the two identical men. It makes the confusion more frustrating than funny. Robinson is excellent in both roles and Jean Arthur is fantastic as one down right sassy broad.… More
The set up is wonderful, like something out of a Shakespeare comedy. Unfortunately the film only focuses on one of the two identical men. It makes the confusion more frustrating than funny. Robinson is excellent in both roles and Jean Arthur is fantastic as one down right sassy broad. The direction seems rather off at times. There's no tension between Jones and Mannion and some scenes stay focussed on a particular character when they should really cut away for a reaction shot. I know this isn't a typical Ford film and it shows. The ridiculous circumstances under which Jones achieves fame are still relevant today and show that he has to actually accomplish something to be a real hero.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Arthur Ferguson Jones

            Jean Arthur as Wilhelmina "Bill" Clark

            Wallace Ford as Mr. Healy

            Arthur Hohl as Detective Sgt. Mike Boyle

            Arthur Byron as Mr. Spencer

            Donald Meek as Mr. Hoyt

            Etienne Girardot as Mr. Seaver

            Paul Harvey as J.G. Carpenter

            Edward S. Brophy as "Slugs" Martin

            James Donlan as Detective Sgt. Pat Howe

            John Farrell MacDonald as Warden

            John Wray as Henchman

            Effie Ellsler as Aunt Agatha

            Lucille Ball as Girl

            A.S. Byron as District Atty. Spencer

            Gordon De Main as Man

            Sam Flint as City Official

            Bess Flowers as Secretary

            Mary Gordon as Landlady

            Grace Hayle as Sob Sister

            Al Hill as Gangster

            Robert E. Homans as Detective

            Cornelius Keefe as Radio Man

            Tom London as Guard

            Walter Long as Convict

            Philip Morris as Detective

            Ferdinand Munier as Mayor

            Robert E. O'Connor as Police Lt. Mac

            Ralph M. Remley as Ribber

            Frank Sheridan as Russell

            Ben Taggart as Traffic Cop

            Emmett Vogan as Reporter

            Clarence H. Wilson as President of the Chamber of Commerce

            Francis Ford as Reporter at Dock

            Charles King
            
            Robert Parrish
            
            Joe Sawyer as Mannion's Henchman

            Virginia Pine as Seaver's Private Secretary
See full cast