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Magic Town

  • 19471947
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
James Stewart and Jane Wyman in Magic Town (1947)
  • Comedy
  • Romance
An opinion pollster finds a town which is a perfect mirror of U.S. opinions.An opinion pollster finds a town which is a perfect mirror of U.S. opinions.An opinion pollster finds a town which is a perfect mirror of U.S. opinions.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William A. Wellman
  • Writers
    • Robert Riskin(story)
    • Joseph Krumgold(story)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Jane Wyman
    • Kent Smith
Top credits
  • Director
    • William A. Wellman
  • Writers
    • Robert Riskin(story)
    • Joseph Krumgold(story)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Jane Wyman
    • Kent Smith
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 27User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos36

    Magic Town (1947)
    James Stewart and Jane Wyman in Magic Town (1947)
    James Stewart, Frank Darien, and Jane Wyman in Magic Town (1947)
    James Stewart, Wallace Ford, and Ned Sparks in Magic Town (1947)
    Tom Fadden in Magic Town (1947)
    James Stewart and Ned Sparks in Magic Town (1947)
    Ray Walker in Magic Town (1947)
    Jimmy Crane, Danny Mummert, and Mickey Roth in Magic Town (1947)
    James Stewart and Jane Wyman in Magic Town (1947)
    James Stewart and Ned Sparks in Magic Town (1947)
    Jane Wyman in Magic Town (1947)
    James Stewart and Kent Smith in Magic Town (1947)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Stewart
    James Stewart
    • Rip Smithas Rip Smith
    Jane Wyman
    Jane Wyman
    • Mary Petermanas Mary Peterman
    Kent Smith
    Kent Smith
    • Professor Frederick Hoopendeckeras Professor Frederick Hoopendecker
    Ned Sparks
    Ned Sparks
    • Ikeas Ike
    Wallace Ford
    Wallace Ford
    • Lou Dickettsas Lou Dicketts
    Regis Toomey
    Regis Toomey
    • Ed Weaveras Ed Weaver
    Ann Doran
    Ann Doran
    • Mrs. Weaveras Mrs. Weaver
    Donald Meek
    Donald Meek
    • Mr. Twiddleas Mr. Twiddle
    E.J. Ballantine
    E.J. Ballantine
    • Moodyas Moody
    Ann Shoemaker
    Ann Shoemaker
    • Ma Petermanas Ma Peterman
    Mickey Kuhn
    Mickey Kuhn
    • Hank Nicklebyas Hank Nickleby
    Howard Freeman
    Howard Freeman
    • Nicklebyas Nickleby
    Harry Holman
    Harry Holman
    • Mayoras Mayor
    Mary Currier
    Mary Currier
    • Mrs. Frisbyas Mrs. Frisby
    Mickey Roth
    • Bob Petermanas Bob Peterman
    Frank Fenton
    Frank Fenton
    • Birchas Birch
    George Irving
    George Irving
    • Senator Wiltonas Senator Wilton
    Selmer Jackson
    Selmer Jackson
    • Stringeras Stringer
    • Director
      • William A. Wellman
    • Writers
      • Robert Riskin(story)
      • Joseph Krumgold(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Rip Smith's opinion-poll business is a failure...until he discovers that the small town of Grandview is statistically identical to the entire country. He and his assistants go there to run polls cheaply and easily, in total secrecy (it would be fatal to let the townsfolk get self-conscious). And of course, civic crusader Mary Peterman must be kept from changing things too much. But romantic involvement with Mary complicates life for Rip; then suddenly everything changes... —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
    • liar
    • lying
    • change of heart
    • scar
    • basketball
    • 16 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The guy with the dynamite heart meets the girl with the firecracker eyes!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Loretta Young was originally cast as Mary but was forced to leave the production because of ill health before shooting began.
    • Quotes

      Mary Peterman: The air becomes charged with electricity around desperate men.

    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a colorized version.
    • Soundtracks
      Magic Town
      Mel Tormé (as Mel Torme) Robert Wells (as Bob Wells)

      Used instrumentally

    User reviews27

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Charming, imitation romantic comedy that capitalized on a news story now forgotten about the ideal American town still holds up well.
    A year before this film came out there were major news stories about a `perfect American city,' but once the story broke… so did the illusion. People had to learn the perfect society has to be practiced individually, intentionally and daily for it to become a reality.

    I just re-watched this film again today and was very entertained by James Stewart (winking and charming) and Jane Wyman (smart and sexy). Packed with the Robert Riskin type characters this story lacks the `real' message of his earlier films and there in lies it's only weakness. It's a fun trip but after we've gone in circles for a while we are reminded there is no place like home. Still this film has lots of treasures in the performances, dialogue, physical comedy and rich diversity home spun Americana characters. I recommend this to all fans of the Capra-Riskin genre.

    P.S. It's also your last chance to enjoy the work of Ned Sparks & Donald Meek who both died after completing this minor masterpiece of Riskin-corn.
    helpful•11
    2
    • larry41onEbay
    • Jan 9, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 7, 1947 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Handen på hjärtat
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Robert Riskin Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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