The Clock (1945)

The Definitive 1940s Love Story!

I first saw this movie when I was eight years old and ten years later I still have not grown tired of it. It is one of those films which gets better with each viewing. The deceivingly simple love story of a young woman and a GI who fall in love and get married within 24 hours seems formulaic. But this film is anything but formulaic. The characters are unique and down-to-earth. What I liked best about this film is the way you can imagine what life was like in New York in the 1940s. The mannerisms of people and the mood of the America in this movie are so different from today, yet the film has aged well and is still relatable. Anyone who has ever felt bewildered in a new city could connect to Robert Walker's character (it is everybody's dream to find his/her soulmate by accident in a strange city populated by millions!) The film is may be slow-paced for some, but don't let this discourage you. By the end, you'll be surprised how completely immersed you'll be in the story and the characters. The film, besides starring Judy Garland in her only non-musical role, has an excellent supporting cast and is directed by the talented Vincent Minnelli. And as a side note, the beautiful musical score of the movie amplifies all the emotions in the film. Don't be surprised if you get watery eyes. March 29, 2008

Great Acting in a Wacky Plotline

Compared to most of the other reviews, I'm sure mine will seem like a cynical, bitter pill. I'm under the age of 50, so I'm sure that might have something to do with my opinion as well.

Listen: I love movies from the golden era as much as the next guy, but this overly sentimental bomb is saved only by Judy's presence in an otherwise near-psychotic piece of Hollywood drivel. I'd rather watch Wizard of Oz, at least I know I'm watching a fairy tale ahead of time.

Since others have given the basic plot line, I'll skip to the parts that I thought were completely implausable.

It takes a great deal of suspended disbelief to swallow this movie. The fact that they have not exchanged more than first names after 24 hours is a great example. People do more than that even in today's fast-paced dating scene, so I'm sure that in that age you'd need a bit more info before falling in love and getting married, regardless of impending war.

The dialogue in the park scene was absurd and the odd music (complete with angelic vocals)under the scene where they somehow unrealistically fall in love made it seem extremely... well, unrealistic.

A ride from the milkman in order to get home from the park? Sure, I'll swallow that. Delivering the milk for him? I doubt it, even in that innocent time.

Then we get to the cafe scene. Pure Fellini. The drunk and the extremely odd woman at the bar made it seem like a nightmare scene at best. More odd was the fact that Judy's character just smiled, chatted and drank her coffee during the whole scene, nearly obvlivious.

The "let's get married right now" and "we have to get a liscense and blood test before 4:00 PM" writing, acting and montages were all heavy-handed at best. And the wacky dialogue and plot turns through this section made the film fall lower than it should have.

My favorite scene: During the wedding dinner at the cafe, when Alice laments her wedding as "ugly" and cries. The whole drama is being watched by the kitchen help at the next table, strategically placed close and dead-center in the shot between the two stars, simply ruining an otherwise nice bit of acting.

Minnelli might have known what to do with musicals, but he bruised this movie with poor choices throughout. Parts of this turkey were downright laughable, and not in the right places. January 11, 2008

TIMELESS LOVE STORY

ONE OF JUDY GARLAND'S BEST PERFORMANCES, WITHOUT HER SINGING! IF YOU LIKE GOOD OLD FASHIONED LOVE STORIES, WHERE BOY & GIRL BUMP INTO ONE ANOTHER AND ETC.., YOU'LL LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! August 7, 2007

Disappointing

I have always been a fan of Judy Garland, but this film was a big disappointment. I don't suggest any one buy this film.
If you like Judy Garland stick with the musicals. July 12, 2007

The Clock

Minnelli's sentimental, spirited and touching wartime romance was a small picture by MGM standards, but Garland's star power and the backdrop of bustling Manhattan (actually Hollywood sound stages) give the picture a dynamic, worldly feel. Walker is likable as the earnest hayseed, and doe-eyed Garland is grand as ever without once singing a tune. (Minnelli, of course, married Judy as soon as the film wrapped!) Great support work from James and Lucille Gleason as a milkman and wife round out this sweet film about love on a very tight schedule. June 25, 2007

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