Edgar Allan Pooh . . . but the American Overlord Ruling Class (aka, the Nutty Rat Armory) has outlawed any scientific medical application of similar logic when it comes to firearms. U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies have identified at least 43 million "ticking time bomb" individuals posing a high risk of becoming "active shooters," but the nutty rats have forced the police to React to them on a one-by-one basis while prohibiting any Proactive effort to save lives BEFORE they're lost. THE WHOLE TOWN'S TALKING sheds a lot of light on this weapons conundrum. Without a gun within his reach, "Jones" is a meek, poetry-writing office drudge. Yet the first time his fingers touch a military-style assault rifle he's instantly transformed into a "first-person shooter" firing indiscriminately. As Jones callously orders a mob hit upon his alter ego in the Nature vs. Nurture Debate--Mannion--it's clear that the "shooting iron" is the only difference between meek poet Jones and mad-dog Killer Jones. THE WHOLE TOWN'S TALKING may be enough to convince We Citizens of the 21st Century about the necessity to immediately seize all the firearms now stockpiled by the 43 million high-risk potential "active shooters," rather than continuing to tolerate the inevitable daily carnage as these Jones-like nuts go bad one-by-one. Maybe someday a super computer will be able to provide fool-proof predictions of exactly WHEN each poet Jones will reach his expiration date, go bad, and turn into a deadly Mad-dog Jones (as in the movie MINORITY REPORT). Until then, the only way to "keep up with the Joneses" is to take away their guns!!

utgard14 Highly enjoyable comedy about meek clerk Arthur Jones (Edward G. Robinson) who is a dead ringer for the most wanted criminal in the country, "Killer" Mannion. Robinson is wonderful in both roles. No matter how many gangster roles he played, he always managed to add something unique to each one. It may just be a mannerism or personality trait, but I feel he managed to distinguish his characters in so many similar movies more than Bogart or Cagney did. Jean Arthur is hilarious and likable as the street smart girl Jones is in love with. Donald Meek is great fun as a busybody who refuses to believe Jones isn't Mannion. It's a rare comedy from director John Ford but a good one.

calvinnme Here Robinson plays the role of a mild-mannered bookkeeper, that of a body double in the person of a murderous gangster on the run - Killer Mannion, and he also effectively plays two other roles - that of the bookkeeper pretending to be the gangster, and the gangster pretending to be the bookkeeper. This could get very confusing, especially in the case of the latter two roles, but as the viewer you will be pretty sure you know who you're looking at by the circumstances. However, you'll still be bowled over by the subtlety of Robinson's performance - I know I was.Jean Arthur plays Jones' (Robinson's) would-be girlfriend. She works in the same place as Jones, but longs for more than a hum-drum existence. When Jones tells her his hopes and dreams of being a writer and traveling to exotic places, she encourages him, and seems to see what he could be even if Jones doesn't quite see it yet. Arthur has what amounts to one of the funniest scenes in the movie, and there are many candidates. When the police first pick up and arrest Jones, believing him to be Mannion, they pick up Arthur too, thinking that she is his "gun moll". She has some fun with this and starts using gangster slang and mannerisms and confessing that Mannion committed every crime that the police ask her about.One of my favorite supporting players of the 30's shows up here too - Ed Brophy, who was an assistant director over at MGM until Buster Keaton put him into a small but important role in "The Cameraman" in 1928. Once sound came in Brophy was perfect for playing supporting Runyonesque parts. Here Brophy plays an associate of Killer Mannion who is picked up by the police and makes a deal, promising to put the finger on Mannion. In return the police have to keep him safe in jail until Mannion is picked up. Brophy's character is brave whenever he thinks Manion has been captured and a blubbering coward whenever he realizes Mannion is still free.Highly recommended as a great screwball comedy that shows the versatility of not only Edward G. Robinson, but of director John Ford.

whpratt1 Enjoyed this 1935 Classic in which Edward G. Robinson plays a duel role as Arthur Ferguson, (Jonesy) and Killer Mannion. Arthur Ferguson is an ordinary law abiding citizen and is rather a very meek person. Unfortunately, Ferguson looks just like a gangster named Killer Mannion who is a harden criminal and they both seem to have the same facial appearance. Jean Arthur, (Wilhelmina Clark) gives a great supporting role along with a great cast of veteran actors. There is a split screen between Arthur Ferguson and Killer Mannion and Edward G. Robinson gives an outstanding performance in 1935 which was not seen very often in films during those days. Killer Mannion tries to murder Ferguson in a bank hold up but things get out of hand. There is plenty of drama and comedy. This is truly a great Classic Film. Enjoy