Monday, July 13, 2015

Magic Town (1947)


Last February (the 18th when this post was originally published) I watched a movie written by Robert Riskin, best known for his "visions of an idealized America as represented in his collaborations with director Frank Capra." This one wasn’t directed by Capra, but it certainly had that Capra ‘feel good’ quality. It’s called Magic Town and was made in 1947. Directed by William A. Wellman, it brings Capra’s favorite leading man, Jimmy Stewart, together with Jane Wyman, a perfect match, or as the tagline goes, "the guy with the dynamite heart meets the girl with the firecracker eyes!" (IMDb) She’s an acting newspaper editor for her late father’s paper and he is an undercover pollster. He discovers that Grandview, the town where Mary (Wyman) lives mirror exactly the nation’s views on everything, down to the decimal point – a mathematical miracle. Rip (Stewart) is quickly accepted as part of the community - even coaching the school's basketball team - under the guise of being an insurance salesman. However, Mary discovers his secret and uses her position in the paper to unmask him. This causes a spiraling of events as Grandview is hailed as the nation’s perfect town. Hundreds of families move in every day and business is booming – but not for long. Now that the people are conscious that they are being polled, the results no longer match the nation. Its short-lived glory turns to embarrassment and the town quickly becomes bankrupt and becomes a laughing-stock. Rip must now figure out how to undue the damage he caused and win Mary back.
Looking at Mary's model of the new Grandview
 
Coaching the boys
 
Romancing the editor

Reciting "Charge of the Light Brigade"
 
The scenes of the town at the beginning reminded me of the town in Theodora Goes Wild (1936). The way the town works together reminded me of several films. The school scenes were reminiscent of The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945). The part where it sweeps the country and pulls apart and then reunites the town is very reminiscent of Meet John Doe (1941). It even has Bert and his wife in it (renamed Ed)! All in all it was an extremely enjoyable movie and one that I hope to add to my collection one day. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a Frank Capra fan.
Stewart and Wyman with Director William A. Wellman
 
Lawrence “Rip” Smith (to the Town Council when he first arrives in Grandview): I've been searching for a town like this for years. You know, when I got off that train this morning, I said to myself "This is it." I've just walked through your town, folks, with its shade trees and its lovely parks. I stood before your impressive buildings mellowed with age, and I said to myself "Here is a sturdy challenge to the evils of the modern era." I watched your people on the street, and I felt their vitality and their sense of security. Your children are happy. They're happy. You can see it in their dear little faces, and hear it in their wholesome talk. There's beauty here. It's almost indescribable. You're used to it, you're all a part of it, you take it for granted. But to me, it's a hope and a dream of a lifetime. I too want to become a part of it. Please don't change it.
All images (excluding title screen) found via Pinterest
 
This post is part of the 1947 Blogathon hosted by Shadows & Satin and Speakeasy. Be sure and check out all of the other great films from 1947!
 
Day 1    Day 2    Day 3    Wrap-Up
 

10 comments:

  1. Wow, what a great selection! I have never heard of this movie, but I sure hope I'll be able to find it -- I simply must see it. I'm a Capra fan and a James Stewart fan -- not to mention William Wellman! -- and this one sounds like a real must-see. Thank you so much for this fabulous contribution to the blogathon, and for giving me yet another movie that I'll be looking for right away!

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    1. I was surprised I had never heard of it either!! I checked out the dvd from my library. Hope you find a copy soon :)

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  2. If there is anything I hate, loath and abominate, it's pollsters, but I'll make an exception when it comes to James Stewart.

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    1. Haha. Don't worry, he learns his lesson ;)

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  3. This is one that I've somehow missed as well, have to try and find it! Thanks for posting about it for the blogathon.

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    1. Thanks for hosting! I have a feeling this is a film a lot of people have never heard about (myself included). I try and post about lesser known films :)

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  4. Oh boy – it's been several years since I saw this on TCM, and you've made me want to see it again. Happily, it is available for streaming. Thanks for reminding me about this film! :)

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  5. I was thinking of writing on this film for the blogathon, but you beat me to it! I think that speech you've picked out really shows up how patronising the Rip Smith character is until he learns his lesson. James Stewart is great in this, as usual, in a slightly less sympathetic role than some of his characters.

    As a Wellman fan, I bought this on DVD some time ago but was infuriated to see that his name wasn't even mentioned on the sleeve - glad to see that you have given him his due and included that great photo of him with Stewart and Wyman. Though I'd have to admit it probably feels more like Capra (who I love too) than Wellman, and that has to be down to Riskin!

    Don't know if you've heard that there's a Wellman blogathon coming up - I'm not organising it but have signed up to write a piece. Just in case you're interested, here is the link:
    https://nowvoyaging.wordpress.com/2015/07/10/announcing-the-william-wellman-blogathon/

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    1. Thanks for the comment. Sorry I took your movie ;)

      That's terrible that the case doesn't have his name on it! I hate when credit is not given where it's due. Riskin is definitely the reason for the feel of the movie. He wrote most of the best Capra films.

      I had not heard of the Wellman Blogathon! Thanks for letting me know! I will definitely have to join :)

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