MovieChat Forums > The Big Clock (1948) Discussion > Excellent 40's 'film noir' thriller

Excellent 40's 'film noir' thriller

posted 22 years ago by clive-38
9 replies | jump to latest

It is a real pleasure to rediscover obscure films from years ago which are still of interest today and "The Big Clock" falls nicely into this category and is well worth seeing again. At the start of this compelling thriller we find Ray Milland hiding out in the "big clock" of the title wondering to himself how on earth he ever got involved with murder and deception when he is basically a hard working married man devoted to his family and career and completely innocent of any crime. Charles Laughton is impressive as Earl Janoth who is responsible for all Ray Milland's troubles. As was usual in forties films at that time we now go into a lengthy "flashback" which explains everything. "The Big Clock" has a first rate supporting cast including Maureen O'Sullivan, Elsa Lanchester, George Macready, Harry Morgan, Lloyd Corrigan, Philip Van Zandt, Richard Webb and Dan Tobin. The film was directed by John Farrow who also made "Where Danger Lives" and "His Kind of Woman" (both with Robert Mitchum). Favourite line: Elsa Lanchester (to Ray Milland): "Never mind Mr Stroud, I've few enough collectors without sending one to jail". Charles Laughton was a very distinguished British actor who appeared in many prestigious films and directed just one film - "The Night of the Hunter" in 1955. Ray Milland deservedly won the Best Actor "Oscar" for "The Lost Weekend" in 1945 and has had a long and successful career both as an actor and later as a director. Maureen O'Sullivan is best known for her recurring role as "Jane" in the Johnny Weissmuller "Tarzan" films. She is married to John Farrow (director of "The Big Clock") and one of her daughters is of course the actress Mia Farrow.

Clive "movie buff" Roberts

[–] H_Kivel 21 years ago

I agree. "The Big Clock" (1948) is an outstanding 1940's film noir thriller. If you have any affection whatsoever for classic films, then you must see this film. Charles Laughton is perfect as the great publishing tycoon Earl Janoth. I have seen "The Big Clock" (1948) many times and highly recommend it.

[–] scott_spalding 21 years ago

I just saw this film tonight at the wonderful Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, and I agree that it is an excellent thriller. I knew nothing about the film before seeing it, except that it had a fantastic cast, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the story was told. It's quite suspenseful as well. Fine writing, skillful direction, and splendid performances (Laughton and Lanchester are a riot) make this a must-see film!!

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] Pamsanalyst 20 years ago

This is an excellent film, and Hollywood improved on Kennth Fearing's book, which had an unsatisfying ending, but I would not call it 'film noir.' There is a dalliance with a female that causes grief, but 'noir' men never recover like Stroud does. Both Fearing's book and the film are more in line with the books of Cornell Woolrich, where improbable co-incidences abound.

[–] ae7641 19 years ago

The movie stands out as original. Haven't seen anything like it. A giant clock that controls everything. And very suspenseful. The cops are looking for you, have orders to shoot to kill, and Miland can only hide in a building with a giant clock in it. Can't get outdoors.

Notice the words the woman says before Laughton hits and kills her? She is supposed to be cussing up a storm saying all this foul stuff that would make the "Don't give a damn" line in "Gone with the wind" look tame by comparison.

[–] zurichpoet 13 years ago

Kenneth Fearing was a solid writer, and bold poet, too.

[–] franzkabuki 13 years ago

Yeah, appearently The Big Clock is more or less the only feature John Farrow ever made that´s fairly well known more than half a century later(amongst what looks to be a quite huge filmography), yet the direction is perfectly seamless, even masterful. Goes to show how high the level of craftsmanship was in Hollywood back in the 40´s - especially compared to our times with directors seemingly most concerned with trying to cover their (and their writers´) inept asses with all manner of flash & frantic cutting oblivion.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] LTUM 13 years ago

It is a real pleasure to rediscover obscure films from years ago which are still of interest today

man, i echo that so much. i love it like you do, to run up on ones which are 'oft overlooked'

i enjoy movies of any era, but there's a kindof time travel element to watching these which, in ADDITION TO the movie's story merits, gives off an existential type vibe for me. quaint, poignant, ...like i get to 'be' in the world of my grandmother and grandfather in 'real time' and feel the aura of that era.

it's cool.

and of course there's the great joy of plain old good stories. i don't 'viewgasm' over every single B&W just because it is B&W (like some i know do); i still assess each one on its merits, and make allowances for the technology limitations of that day.

but yeah i loved this one. a bit slow in the first 40 minutes but after that it was a sheer train ride.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2dKNeLqNas

[–] 13 years ago

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