A Stranger in Town (1943)

Fantastic!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

A legal drama from 1943, A STRANGER IN TOWN is a low budget potboiler that offers a starring role for old-timer Frank Morgan, best known for playing the title role in THE WIZARD OF OZ. Here, he plays a genial judge who pays a visit to a youthful and crusading politician who has just become mayor and is busy battling corruption in his town.The twist is that Morgan's real identity is a secret, allowing him to observe proceedings from a place of safety. It's not a bad plot per se, but too much of the running time gets bogged down in a lengthy romance between the young characters, and Morgan doesn't have a great deal to do. It's a pity, as in the right hands this could have been something special.

What makes this one Stand Out from War Years Motion Picture Portrayals of Small Town America is the Realist Portrayal of Corruption. Films of that Era (WWII) Tended to Propagandize the USA as a Utopia of Goodness as its Rally Cry to Ramp Up the Citizenry.Nothing Wrong with that but it is Refreshing that this Little Movie had the Integrity to Say that Maybe We were not Perfect and some Fighting was needed Right Here at Home. Notice how the Justice Prods and Pokes at Apathy and Cowardice against Inequities and Bullying.It's all Done in a Lighthearted Manner and is Good Entertainment while Posing Questions and Inspiring to a Greater Good. Certainly Worth a Watch for 1943 Cultural References that are Still Relevant Today.

Frank Morgan discards his "confused middle-aged guy" persona to star in this moralistic, yet fine early 1940s film. Morgan plays the role of John Josephus Grant, an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Grant is overworked, and takes a hunting trip to Crownport, a typical small town. Here he quickly becomes embroiled in corrupt local politics, headed by a very crooked and despicable local judge (Porter Hall). He teams up with his secretary (Jean Rogers) and a local mayoral candidate (Richard Carlson) to overcome the bad guys and clean up the town. Of course, there's an obligatory love story, involving the characters of Rogers and Carlson.Morgan takes full advantage of this rare top-billed role and gives a warm and believable performance. Rogers is also in top form, while Carlson is just average in an average role. Morgan's rousing speech to the local townsfolk about American government may seem a little overripe today, but is perfect in the context of a WWII-era movie. It's also fun to watch the town's corrupt bosses squirm when they find out Morgan's true identity. This film's a reflection of a long-ago time when people generally trusted our political institutions.

"A Stranger in Town" turns out to be a pleasant surprise. I originally viewed it to see Frank (The Wizard of Oz) Morgan in a starring role, and did not have any grand expectations. But it turned out to be a droll little film, quite entertaining.The whole plot is predicated on the general anonymity of Supreme Court justices. Does anyone know what they look like? Can anyone even name all 9? Along the way, we get a look and some commentary on small town American life in the 1940s, as well as a Capra-esque speech by Morgan near the end of the film.Their is also some requisite romantic interest thrown in, which is quite incidental and was probably just added to stretch out the running time. The film also has Porter Hall, who played the heel in "Miracle on 34th St." and the heel in "The Thin Man", playing, you guessed it, a heel.Overall, a very pleasant way to spend 70 minutes. Give it a view when you get the chance.