Whole Towns Talking, The (1935, U.S.A.)

John Ford directs Edward G. Robinson in this film noir involving mistaken identities.

A mild clerk, Arthur Jones has the misfortune to look exactly like gangster Killer Mannion.  He leads a regular life until he’s wrongfully arrested for a crime committed by Mannion.  To prevent this from happening again, the police give Arthur a special “passport” to ensure that he’s not mistaken for the gangster again.  When Mannion learns that he has a double, he forces Arthur into hiding and steals the passport to use as a cover for his crimes. However when Mannion kidnaps his girlfriend (Jean Arthur), the normally-timid Arthur must find the courage he needs to save her.

The cast includes Edward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur, Arthur Hohl and James Donlan.