Watch Tales of Manhattan

Tales of Manhattan is a 1942 film directed by Julien Duvivier that follows the lives of several characters as they come into possession of a tuxedo that was once worn by a famous actor. The movie is famous for its all-star cast, which includes Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, and Charles Laughton, among others.

The movie is divided into five segments, each featuring a different character and their interactions with the tuxedo. The first segment tells the story of a struggling violinist named Paul Orman (Boyer) who is given the tuxedo by his former lover, Ethel Halloway (Hayworth), as a way to help him make a comeback in the music world. The tuxedo brings Orman both success and trouble as he navigates the cutthroat world of classical music and struggles to come to terms with his feelings for Ethel.

The second segment follows a washed-up Hollywood actor named George (Laughton) who comes into possession of the tuxedo through a series of comedic mishaps. As he wears the tuxedo to a party, he attracts the attention of his former co-star, Flora (Margaret Sullavan), who is still in love with him. When she discovers the tuxedo, Flora decides to wear it to a benefit concert, leading to a night of hilarity and unexpected consequences.

The third segment features a down-on-her-luck chorus girl named Diane (Rogers) who finds the tuxedo in a thrift store. Hoping to use it to impress her boss, she instead ends up becoming the object of a wealthy man's (Thomas Mitchell) affections. As she struggles to figure out her feelings for him, she discovers that true love can come from unexpected places.

The fourth segment follows the exploits of a group of thieves who steal the tuxedo from a wealthy man's home. As they try to figure out what to do with it, they attract the attention of a detective (Edward G. Robinson) who is hot on their trail. What follows is a thrilling pursuit through the streets of New York as the thieves try to escape with the tuxedo and their freedom.

The final segment brings together all of the characters from the previous segments as they attend a charity concert featuring Orman on violin. As they watch him perform, they reflect on their own experiences with the tuxedo and the impact it has had on each of their lives.

Tales of Manhattan is a beautifully crafted film that seamlessly weaves together five distinct stories into a cohesive whole. With its stellar cast and masterful direction, the movie is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ways in which seemingly unrelated events can come together to create something truly magical. Whether you're a fan of romance, comedy, or suspense, there's something in this movie for everyone.