“One of the better anthology films, Tales of Manhattan benefits from Julian Duvivier’s assured direction, which confidently melds the disparate stories together in an effortless and surprisingly satisfying manner. […] chief among the assets, of course, is the all-star cast, many of which turn in especially fine performances. Laughton is particularly fine, employing a vulnerability that he often eschewed […]. Robinson is also in fine form, making the most of his big confession scene, as well as his wordless final scene […]. Elegantly appointed, Tales is a delightful bauble for viewers in search of a light divertissement.” Craig Butler: Tales of Manhattan bei AllMovie (englisch)
“Tales of Manhattan is one of those rare films – a tricky departure from the norm […] achieves an impressive effect. Neither profound nor very searching, it nevertheless manages to convey a gentle, detached comprehension of the irony and pity of life […]. Edward G. Robinson gives a masterful performance as the bum who had seen better days; Ginger Rogers and Henry Fonda are very amusing […], and Roland Young, James Gleason and George Sanders stand out in minor roles. Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth and Thomas Mitchell are somewhat heavy in the initial triangle and Charles Laughton overplays the pianist who gets his big chance to rise. But, altogether, Julien Duvivier has directed the film with surprising evenness and has matched the moods and tempos of the various episodes with delicacy.”Bosley Crowther: ‘Tales of Manhattan,’ Starring Charles Boyer, Henry Fonda, Edward G. Robinson, Charles Laughton, at the Music Hall. In: The New York Times, 25. September 1942.
