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| ACTORS: | Ray Milland, Maureen O'Sullivan |
| CATEGORY: | Video |
| DIRECTOR: | John Farrow |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 09 April, 1948 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Universal Studios |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Black & White, Closed-captioned, NTSC |
| TYPE: | Feature Film-drama |
| MEDIA: | VHS Tape |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 096898161435 |
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Customer Reviews of The Big Clock
Taut and suspenseful "The Big Clock" is a taut, suspenseful drama about a magazine editor, George Stroud played by Ray Milland, who is framed for murder. The murder was committed by his ruthless, maniacal boss, Earl Janoth portrayed with relish by Charles Laughton. Janoth is a powerful media mogul who has a strange fascination with clocks. He is obsessed with the measurement of time. (In one amusing scene occurring in a board room, Janoth, while staring at his watch, gives his editors the luxury of one minute each to explain how they will dramatically increase sales of his magazine. Then Janoth succinctly shoots down their ideas in a matter of seconds.)
The screenplay of "The Big Clock" is cleverly constructed. It's not until the final five minutes of the movie that you learn whether or not Stroud can finally prove his innocence.
The atmosphere of "The Big Clock" is very much in the tradition of film noir. There are plenty of scenes photographed in shadows or semi-darkness. Shady, eccentric characters (who may or may not prove vital in clearing Stroud's name) creep in and out of the story. The plot keeps you guessing.
My only criticism is of the character played by Maureen O'Sullivan, Georgette, who is Stroud's wife. The scenarist could have given her more depth and made her more realistic. Instead, she is a one-dimensional doormat for her insensitive, self-centered husband. When Stroud is fired by Janoth, he is so inconsiderate and selfish that he decides to get drunk with a blonde instead of meeting his wife at the train station to leave on a long overdue honeymoon. Repeatedly, Stroud puts his career ambitions ahead of the emotional needs of his wife and child. The wife gets dragged into a potential murder case because of her husband's faithlessness. Yet by the end of the movie, Georgette continues to passively and unquestioningly support her husband. That's quite a stretch.
Overall though, "The Big Clock" is an engrossing and entertaining movie which is worth seeing.
The Clock's Ticking!
John Farrow's "The Big Clock" is one of the great noir films of the 40's. The downside is many people have 1) rarely seen it. 2) Many haven't even heard of it! Ray Milland stars as George Stroud a man who as the film goes on will have to track down a murderer when all the clues lead to one man, him! How can he prove his innocence. And how will he get anyone to believe him? These are the interesting questions that arise as you watch this film.
George Stroud (Milland) works for a publication that somehow manages to break cases before the police do. He is also suppose to go on his honeymoon with his wife Georgette (Maureen O' Sullivan) which is long overdue ( they now have a 5 year old son!). But, his boss Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton) wants him to postpone his honeymoon. Claiming he'll give him higher pay and a month's vaction. But George knows his wife will kill him if he's not there ready to leave with her lol. Now, one thing leads to another ( I don't want to give anyway too much of the plot). But George ends up missing his train and spends the night with Janoth's mistress! Later on that night, he finds that Janoth's mistress is dead! Was it murder? Well, all directions point that way since George saw Janoth go into Pauline York's (Rita Johnson) apartment. In an attempt to cover up his actions, Janoth tells George he has to solve the case before the police get involved. "The Big Clock" has a great musical score by Victor Young, nice cimatography by Daniel L. Fapp & John F. Seitz. And, fammed costume designer Edit Head does wonderful work. All of these things give this movie the "classic" noir feel to it. There are good, solid performances by everyone, and nice directing by Farrow. This is a very pleasurable film to watch on one of those rainy, dark nights, that just feels like watching a noir film. One of the best noir films I've ever seen.
THE BIG CLOCK IS A BIG LETDOWN
I remember this movie from years back, and thought it was a pretty nifty noir thriller. A repeat viewing reveals it to be a bit on the trite side. Maybe it's Ray Milland's bland performance, but I had trouble getting through this one. Not all old films are true "classics" and this one is better left on the shelf, in my opinion.
There are many better examples of Film Noir out there. Give me LAURA or OUT OF THE PAST any day over this.