PEOPLE WILL TALK (1951) Medical Grant

In PEOPLE WILL TALK, the career and integrity of the medically and philosophically unorthodox Dr. Noah Praetorius (Cary Grant) is rudely challenged by an envious colleague. And in the midst of that, the unflappable doc meets and weds a suicidal unwed mother, adopts her eccentric father, defends his loyal friend, and makes time to rehearse and conduct an orchestra. It gives away nothing to report that in the end Praetorius is exonerated, thanks in part to a speech by his loyal friend Shunderson (wonderfully played by longtime character actor Finlay Currie), who then admonishes the film's villain by gently calling him "a little, little man" not good enough to reach the bottom of Dr. Praetorius’ shoes. It’s a line that neatly captures the character of each of the three men. Considering the film tackled then-heavy taboo subjects (premarital pregnancy, attempted suicide, unorthodox medical philosophies) and did so with literacy and wit, it’s well worth watching.