Produced by Robert Riskin. Copyright 26 September 1947 by Robert Riskin Productions, Inc. A William A. Wellman Production, presented by Robert Riskin. Released through RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Palace: 7 October 1947. U.S. release: 12 October 1947. U.K. release: 19 September 1949 (sic). Australian release: 29 April 1948. 9,454 feet. 105 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Polling! Having once worked (briefly) as an interviewer for the Gallup Poll, I must admit that polling and pollsters have a certain interest for me. But this attraction, I'm told, is not shared by the public at large. Which explains why Magic Town - a fantasy about a small American town whose citizenry accurately reflect the feelings and opinions of the whole nation - was not a success.
NOTES: Last film for Donald Meek.
COMMENT: Robert Riskin wrote some famous comedies for director Frank Capra, including Mr Deeds Goes to Town. What we have here is a Mr Deeds in reverse. Instead of a hayseed moralising in the big city, we have a smart, cynical urbanite inveigling himself into a small town and upsetting its values.
Riskin set up his own company to make this film and offered the direction to Capra, who declined. He then decided to direct it himself. He'd previously directed When You're in Love (1937), a moderate success with Grace Moore and Cary Grant. Halfway through shooting, he realised the picture was not panning out, so he approached Capra for help. Capra again refused to become directly involved, but recommended William A. Wellman.
Wellman gives a different version of events, stating that he was actively involved from the start. That the movie turned out so badly, he said, was entirely his fault. But I believe that either Wellman's memory is hazy or that he is deliberately offering himself as a scapegoat.
In any event, the movie (in my opinion) isn't a tenth as bad as its detractors make out. True this "Capra comedy without Capra" may not seem to be Wild Bill Wellman's cup of tea, but he handles it well. The trouble is that the screenplay fails to develop its good central idea fully and gets itself side-tracked into providing a stellar part for Miss Wyman. Although she gives an ingratiating performance and her scenes with Stewart come across charmingly, she holds up the unfolding of the plot. Padding her role has also obviously been responsible for some considerable cutting of scenes played by other members of the cast - particularly Regis Toomey and Ann Doran, who are introduced without any explanation whatever slap in the middle of the climax!
On the other hand, Kent Smith is given an elaborate introduction, but then unaccountably disappears. And it is obvious that the parts of Wallace Ford and E. J. Ballantine were longer when Wellman had finished shooting.
Film editors Todd and Wray have succeeded in patching the film smoothly together, despite all the cuts. Attractive photography and appealing art direction are also major assets. In fact production values are triple "A" plus. Producer Riskin delved deep into his own pockets to put all this quality on to the screen. From all reports, he lost a packet. A pity!
SYNOPSIS: Polling! Having once worked (briefly) as an interviewer for the Gallup Poll, I must admit that polling and pollsters have a certain interest for me. But this attraction, I'm told, is not shared by the public at large. Which explains why Magic Town - a fantasy about a small American town whose citizenry accurately reflect the feelings and opinions of the whole nation - was not a success.
NOTES: Last film for Donald Meek.
COMMENT: Robert Riskin wrote some famous comedies for director Frank Capra, including Mr Deeds Goes to Town. What we have here is a Mr Deeds in reverse. Instead of a hayseed moralising in the big city, we have a smart, cynical urbanite inveigling himself into a small town and upsetting its values.
Riskin set up his own company to make this film and offered the direction to Capra, who declined. He then decided to direct it himself. He'd previously directed When You're in Love (1937), a moderate success with Grace Moore and Cary Grant. Halfway through shooting, he realised the picture was not panning out, so he approached Capra for help. Capra again refused to become directly involved, but recommended William A. Wellman.
Wellman gives a different version of events, stating that he was actively involved from the start. That the movie turned out so badly, he said, was entirely his fault. But I believe that either Wellman's memory is hazy or that he is deliberately offering himself as a scapegoat.
In any event, the movie (in my opinion) isn't a tenth as bad as its detractors make out. True this "Capra comedy without Capra" may not seem to be Wild Bill Wellman's cup of tea, but he handles it well. The trouble is that the screenplay fails to develop its good central idea fully and gets itself side-tracked into providing a stellar part for Miss Wyman. Although she gives an ingratiating performance and her scenes with Stewart come across charmingly, she holds up the unfolding of the plot. Padding her role has also obviously been responsible for some considerable cutting of scenes played by other members of the cast - particularly Regis Toomey and Ann Doran, who are introduced without any explanation whatever slap in the middle of the climax!
On the other hand, Kent Smith is given an elaborate introduction, but then unaccountably disappears. And it is obvious that the parts of Wallace Ford and E. J. Ballantine were longer when Wellman had finished shooting.
Film editors Todd and Wray have succeeded in patching the film smoothly together, despite all the cuts. Attractive photography and appealing art direction are also major assets. In fact production values are triple "A" plus. Producer Riskin delved deep into his own pockets to put all this quality on to the screen. From all reports, he lost a packet. A pity!