MovieChat Forums > The Talk of the Town (1942) Discussion > One strange scene with Tilney (Lightcap'...

One strange scene with Tilney (Lightcap's driver)

posted 18 years ago by fancy_joy
24 replies | jump to latest

There is one strange scene involving Tilney character when he found out that Professor Lightcap decided to shave off his beard, the camera closed up his face so many times until the tears finally came out of his eyes. For me it is quite strange that why this scene has to be there. It shows me that Tilney is so emotionally involved with the change in behavior of Professor Lightcap (lied to police, started to like flowers, shaved etc.). So I just can't stop thinking that this character has homosexual tendency, judging from his behavior (he never forgot Lightcap's birthday, cried in the mentioned scene, always insisted Lightcap to return to Boston (maybe after finding out Lightcap is in love with Ms.Shelley) etc.)

Maybe I looked in it too much, but without that strange out-of-the-blue scene, I wouldn't really think of this character that much. Any comment?

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[–] lepixma 18 years ago

I agree with you, it is clear that Tilney is in love with Professor Lightcap; Tilney cries because he feels that he is losing Linhtcap.

I feel sorry for professor Lightcap, in a moment he has a beautiful and young girlfriend and in the next one he just have a ugly and old housekeeper-boyfriend; but you can’t won the heart of a lady if your competitor is Cary Grant, isn’t it?

A great great movie, anyway.

[–] jieming 17 years ago

I noticed the same thing. I think there are other clues that Tilney is in love with Lightcap. The director shows Tilney with his head at Lightcap's crotch while fluffing the hem of his gown.

But Lightcap seems oblivious... or did I miss something?

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[–] malcomtucker 17 years ago

Good Grief!! This movie was made in the early 40's. The culture was not as sex obsessed as now. Nowhere near. Very unlikely that the director or cameraman would have been thinking in these terms. This was a servant very devoted to his boss. The character was a bit odd in the level of devotion and subservience, and it is troubling because of the racial aspect that certainly seems to be the reason for it. But, talk about reading something into a movie.

[–] theludman 17 years ago

I agree with malcomtucker. Homosexuality was not part of movies in this era. In my humble opinion, it was simply a case of a devoted servant sensing that the man he held in the highest regard was somehow changing in a way that troubled him.

[–] snz27 16 years ago

Homosexuality was not OVERTLY part of movies of that era. But to suggest that because it was never explicit there couldn't be a subtle nod is rather nonsensical.

[–] DesmondRules 12 years ago

Maybe in some movies but not ALL movies. Every movie on thie board has a post like this and it's ridiculous. There is nothing in this film, in any way, any where that could be considered homosexual. If you see it then the problem is you're are imposing your own ideas and not those of the film makers or the writers/actors. It's so frustrating that people see this in every single movie.

[–] boxerrebellion 9 years ago

THIS!!! Thank you, I couldn't believe when I read the original post.

[–] giverny98 10 years ago

I think Tilney thought it was a sign his world was changing quickly, and perhaps the professor wouldn't want Tilney to be part of it anymore.

[–] corriganville 10 years ago

I thought Tilney was great! He 'perverted his soul for 1000 years' with the lies he told his ex-wife when they were courting. Having said that, we also did not understand the scene in question but chalked it up to his devotion to the old Lightcap.

[–] Wakanohana 9 years ago

I've just seen the film for the first time, and so it's likely that I could learn more from additional viewings.

But my take on the tearing-up scene is that Tilney is not saddened by Professor Nightcap's romantic involvement with Nora (Jean Arthur). I suspect he is happy for the professor, as most of us would be if a dear friend has finally found love.

[–] [email protected] 17 years ago

I agree with the last two posts... But that scene was strange nontheless... Hehe...

[–] marcchanois 17 years ago

so, an honest black man disturbs you again? then don't watch more old movies .or you won't stop being disturbed

[–] beverlyamason 17 years ago

Why 0h Why, do people view innocent things in some homsexual way!?!?!
Look, you only see a devoted servant, who sadly sees his old boss changing.
We all sometimes are sad at change right? Perhaps George Stevens only wanted to add a bit of pathos? Rex Ingram was a well known emotional talented black actor.
Just watch his work in other movies.. He was very good at portraying deep and emotional scenes..
No way, did I see any homosexual inuendo.
Sick sick people who like to pervert an innocent lovely movie. Not that I am slamming any homosexual behavior in films.I just do not see it in this film.

What is the matter with you people??????

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[–] stevenvh 15 years ago

I completely agree with beverly! This is ridiculous. Another case of Deeper Meaning Delusion, I guess.
Oh, by the way, you did notice the two girls in town, didn't you? A bit odd that nobody has suggested yet they might be lesbian!!
And the lady with the two little dogs surely is a zoophile!!!

--
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[–] morris441968 16 years ago

I think you are correct.

There are books and documentary offerings that discuss homosexual undertones (and overtones) in cinema history. Once such is The Celluloid Closet.

I like the fact that his servant is essentially overtly gay. His feelings are not suppressed, for the time period.

Very brave, very mature.

He could be the inspiration for Smithers, Mr. Burn's assistant on The Simpsons.

[–] bruce-129 14 years ago

As I have said before, idiots make too much of it and call it gay every time two men in the movies get within 10 feet of each other and are not fighting. Go take a cold shower and get your mind out of the gutter.

[–] adarkerlight 12 years ago

Everything about Tilney was strange. He creeped me out and I didn't like his character (he was a weak soul). They hadn't really built up his relationship to Lightcap by the point they showed 1.5 minutes of him weeping, so it was really awkward to sit through.

But the gay tendencies thing I don't agree with, if only because Lightcap and Dilg talk about enjoying each other's company often, and at the end, they're both staring at each other (in the Supreme Court) like lovebirds. So I think it's just safe to say that in the 40s, people were a little more "okay" with looking friends in the eyes for longer than 10 seconds.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] princesstinymeat 12 years ago

I'm all about queer subtext, but it just doesn't exist in this film. Tilney cried because he believed he was losing his beloved boss. If anything, this scene was overtly racist in propagating the lie that the indentured servant (read: payroll slave) was bonded to his/her massah.