People Will Talk (1951)

Intro.
I watched this film as part of my whole January is Cary Grant Month theme.  I was hoping that by watching Grant films I haven't previously seen, I would discover some real gems (as I did with Holiday, my earlier post).  This film, however, was a bit unusual.  First I should explain that it came after many of Grant's screwball comedies of the thirties and forties, but before North by Northwest and An Affair to Remember, so maybe that's why he was cast in such an unusal role.  It's also interesting to note the "witch-hunts" and high suspicions that play a large part in this film.  At the time of its release, America was in the middle of the McCarthy trials and Red Scare.  I would have loved to have gone to this film's release in 1951 just to watch people's reactions - that historical situation is enough to warrant a second viewing.

Overview
Dr. Noah Praetorius (Cary Grant) is a well-known and somewhat mysterious doctor.  Rumors surround him regarding his methods, his unusal treatments, and most of all the very close friendship of an aloof man named Sunderson.  As his University begins an investigation (which culminates in a formal review/inquest) on him, Praetorius begins to treat a woman, Deborah (Jeanne Crain) who has gotten pregnant out of wedlock.  When he gives her the news, she tries to kill herself.  In an attempt to calm her, he tells her there was a mistake and that she is not pregnant.  He then goes out to meet her father, to supposedly explain the situation to him, but instead realizes the girl's in a bad situation.  Naturally, he falls in love with her and they marry.  The rumors about him continue until the final inquest with the faculty board, where Sunderson's true identity and relationship with Praetorius is revealed.

Ponderables
1) There are many parts of this movie that left me scratching my head.  First is the way the relationship of Sunderson and Praetorius is presented.  They go from being good friends in a Holmes and Watson sort of way to hints of being more than that.  What struck me most was one of Praetorius's lines - while he and Deborah plan their wedding, she remarks that he's talking like a woman who has to get married.  He replies that he's about as close to needing it as any man can be.  While it could be that he's trying to hide the fact that he has knowingly committed malpractice (I won't even go into that), it comes off sounding like he has to get married in order to prove that he is not gay.  It adds to the way Sunderson is portrayed almost like a good wife - he cooks and cleans and does anything that can be helpful in any way.  Even if I'm way off base, it's still strange.

2) Dr. Praetorius is very counter-culture and against all conservative, traditional forms of medicine.  That's all well and good and it's nice to see a doctor who cares so much about the well-being of his patients.  However, I couldn't quite overlook the fact that he lied to Deborah about the baby.  Okay, I understand initially it was because she was suicidal; however, he didn't tell her the truth until after they're married and she realizes that she's probably pregnant.  How did she not notice before then?  And then once he tells her, she's upset but then it's all okay again because he's Cary Grant?  I feel like it didn't have a firm resolution - Deborah doesn't get enough time.  Instead the faculty of the university step in for a hearing.  I wanted her story line to be more complex, more resisting - she falls for Cary Grant at first sight.  For a film that pushes stereotypes and conservative views, her character is every bit the helpless fallen woman. 

Recommendation
Given the time of the film's release and the strikingly unusual role for Cary Grant, I would consider seeing this film again.  If you are a fan of American history (particulary the 40's and 50's) you will enjoy it.  The revelation of Sunderson's identity is a bit far fetched (in my opinion), but the rest of the film will leave you puzzling over topics of health care and what makes a good doctor.

Want to read more?  Check out the film's page at IMDb and read up on McCarthy here.