JLRMovieReviews "The Big Clock" is an example of an otherwise simple film made exceptional by masters at work, such as Ray Milland and Charles Laughton, but especially director John Farrow and his crew of technicians. Black and white photography, scenes gliding into each other, and taut direction of the action highlight this story of writer Milland working for publishing tycoon Laughton and getting caught up in a murder scandal. By way of flashback, we see how it all began, why Milland is on the run, and how clocks play a part in this sinister and fun film. With a solid supporting cast of George Macready, Henry(Harry) Morgan (who's spooky in a non-speaking role,) Maureen O'Sullivan (Farrow's wife in real life,) Rita Johnson (who I always liked in movies with her own little sparkle), and Elsa Lanchester (Laughton's wife in real life) in a scene-stealing role. In fact, Laughton seems to be the type of actor who doesn't emote much, but steals the scene from others in little ways. The plot unfolds and develops intricately but simply and it's delicious the whole way. This film really gets you in the mood for another film and another film, immersing yourself in the age of the old-fashioned movies they just don't make anymore. Period.

bob the moo Deciding to watch some film noirs recently this film stuck in my mind – for some reason I knew the title and was sure I must have watched it before but it didn't ring any bells. Watching it two things hit me; the first being that despite the listing here and the comments made on the boards etc, this is not a film noir by the traditional definition – it is actually a thriller with a man accused of murder trying to get out from under before everything closes in on him. This was the second thing because I realized I had heard the name of the film in connection to the Kevin Costner film "No Way Out". In that film as in this one, the main character is charged with hunting down a killer, all the time knowing that the clues will incorrectly lead to him and as a result he must find the real killer before he is caught himself.This sounds good but the film doesn't really make the most of it. The first 30 minutes are too slow and frankly unconvincing. Stroud is presented as a good family man, nicely cleancut but yet gets messed up drunk with a pretty blonde the very second he should be heading off on his honeymoon. This setup is labored and takes too long in the context of quite a short film. When the murder occurs the pace does pick up and the drama is engaging but it is delivered with a bit too much of a light touch and not enough urgency in the situation. The light comedy may appeal to some but for me it only undermined the tension and took me out of the moment – if it had done this aspect better regarding the main character then it may have worked but it was far too gentle for me. The conclusion also comes too quickly and unconvincingly even if the buildup to the specific conclusion is pretty good.The cast are solid and it is not their fault that the film doesn't really make the most of them. Milland is a decent lead but doesn't convince me about the pressure on him – I also didn't care for his character in the first 30 minutes as he seemed to be just a good haircut and cheerful outlook, nothing else. Laughton is a good presence and I would have liked to have seen more of him – the film uses him well but it could have been better again. Support is decent and includes a very young Harry Morgan.The Big Clock is a nice idea that is slow to start and, when it does get going, it just lacks a bit of oomph to really make the most of the scenario. I was looking for the film to really close in on the main character and for things to be tense and stylish but in reality it was a bit too gentle for my tastes.

PWNYCNY Besides being a who-done-it, this movie is also a brilliant comedy. Ray Milland and Charles Laughton give stellar performances as men who are at odds with each other, with lethal results. The rest of the cast is also excellent, especially Elsa Lancaster who plays an artist with a quick wit. The plot is clever, the acting wonderful, the cinematography catches the story's mood, and the movie, with all its twists and turns, is in general engaging and entertaining, The movie contains so many wonderful performances. And even though the movie was made in the late 1040s, it's still watchable today. That is, the movie has aged well and deals with issues that would resonate with today's audience. One thing about Ray Milland: he was a great actor with great screen presence, and proves that it this movie.

vincentlynch-moonoi I give this film a "7", though it was a temptation to give it an "8", but a "7" is my highest rating, unless we are talking one of the great films of all time. And this film is not that, but it is darned good.It is darned good because it is darned different. I can't think of another film that is at all like it (except perhaps the recent remake). It's a rather unique plot with a unique character (Charles Laughton) and a unique setting.The story begins via flashback. As it unfolds, Ray Milland's character (editor-in-chief of a crime magazine) inadvertently gets tied into a murder of a woman he met...who just happened to be the girlfriend of the magazine's's owner (Charles Laughton) -- a real sleaze bag...and the real killer! All the cards are stacked against Milland, however, and his desperate task is to clear himself and implicate the real murdered (whom he thinks is Laughton's assistant). What happens in between all this is clever and different, with a host of odd characters.Milland, whom I've come to respect more lately as I've seen some films of his of which I was not previously aware, is excellent here. So is Charles Laughton, although this is another role of Laughton's where we love despising him. And incidentally, Laughton's mustache here may be one of the worst in any film in cinema history! The other main character is Maureen O'Sullivan as Milland's wife, though this is quite a step down from her as she plains a supporting, rather than a starring role. You'll recognize quite a few other characters, though none is memorable, despite each being key to the plot.The ending is a total surprise, although it happens just a tad too quickly to savor.That's all not to say that there aren't some problems here. We all have had jobs we don't like. Why exactly are this husband and wife so thrilled to be without and income? At 58 minutes into the film you can clearly see the shadow of the boom mic. Why are Elsa Lanchester's children from 3 different marriages all approximately the same age?Nevertheless, this may very well be one for your DVD shelf!