The Big Clock

Critics Consensus

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100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 8

83%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,403
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Movie Info

Told in the back-to-front fashion typical of film noir, The Big Clock opens with George Stroud (Ray Milland) trapped, his life in danger, his survival measured in the minute-by-minute movements of the huge central clock of the office building where he's hiding. In flashback we learn that Stroud works for media baron Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton) as the editor of Crimeways magazine. Janoth is a manipulative megalomaniac with various obsessions, including clocks; among other manifestations of the latter fixation, the skyscraper housing his empire's headquarters has as its central feature a huge clock that reads out the time around the world down to the second. Twenty-four hours earlier, on the eve of a long-delayed combined honeymoon/vacation with his wife (Maureen O'Sullivan), Stroud was ordered by Janoth to cancel the trip, and he resigned. In his depression, Stroud missed his wife's train and crossed paths with Pauline York (Rita Johnson), Janoth's very unhappy mistress, and the two commiserated by getting drunk together in a night on the town. While hurriedly leaving Pauline's apartment, he glimpsed Janoth entering. George sobers up the next day and joins his wife on their vacation, but is soon contacted by Janoth -- he apologizes to Stroud and wants him to lead an investigation into a criminal on the run. It immediately becomes clear to George that the man Janoth wants found is Stroud himself, a fact of which Janoth is unaware, because he did not see the face of the man who saw him entering York's apartment. And Stroud has to return to work on the case, or risk exposure in a scandal that could end his marriage -- but when he returns to New York and starts running the investigation, he soon realizes that he's caught up in a murder, and that he may be next, if Janoth ever realizes the identity of the man he's trying to find. The two play a clever, disjointed game of cat-and-mouse, Janoth in partnership with his general manager Steve Hagen (George Macready) pushing the investigation, knowing they plan on bringing the suspect in dead, and Stroud doing his best to delay and sidetrack the investigation, playing for time, knowing that the man they're looking for is standing right next to the two conspirators. Janoth seems near to be unraveling at the lack of conclusion to the hunt, but Stroud can't ignore the trail of proof and guilt winding ever tighter around both of them, even as it takes some grimly comic twists, mostly over the presence of Elsa Lanchester as a witness who has seen the "suspect." Milland is perfect in the role of the hapless Stroud, and Laughton is brilliant as the vain, self-centered Janoth, but George Macready is equally good as Hagen, his smooth, upper-crust Waspy smarminess making one's skin crawl. Also worth noting is Harry Morgan's sinister, silent performance as Janoth's personal valet; and sharp-eyed viewers will also recognize such performers as Douglas Spencer and Noel Neill (especially memorable as a tart-tongued elevator operator). Additionally, the Janoth Publications building where most of the action takes place is almost a cast member in itself, an art deco wonder. This film was later remade -- much less effectively -- as No Way Out.

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Cast

Charles Laughton
as Earl Janoth
Ray Milland
as George Stroud
Maureen O'Sullivan
as Georgette Stroud
George Macready
as Steve Hagen
Rita Johnson
as Pauline York
Elsa Lanchester
as Louise Patterson
Harold Vermilyea
as Don Klausmeyer
Dan Tobin
as Ray Cordette
Harry Morgan
as Bill Womack
Richard Webb
as Nat Sperling
Tad Van Brunt
as Tony Watson
Elaine Riley
as Lily Gold
Luis Van Rooten
as Edwin Orlin
Lloyd Corrigan
as Mckinley
Margaret Field
as Secretary
Philip Van Zandt
as Sidney Kislav
Henri Letondal
as Antique Dealer
Douglas Spencer
as Bert Finch
Frank Orth
as Burt the Bartender
Bobby Watson
as Milton Spaulding
Frances Morris
as Grace Adams
B.G. Norman
as George Jr.
Theresa Harris
as Daisy
James Burke
as Building Cop
Ernö Verebes
as Bartender
Noel Neill
as Elevator Operator
Earle Hodgins
as Guide
Edna Holland
as Staff Member
Lane Chandler
as Doorman
Lester Dorr
as Cabby
Bert Moorhouse
as Editor
Bess Flowers
as Stylist in Conference Room
Lucille Barkley
as Hatcheck Girl
Napoleon Whiting
as Bootblack
Diane Stewart
as Girl
Harland Tucker
as Seymour Roberts
Eric Alden
as Guard
Ralph Dunn
as Guard
Joe Whitehead
as Fisher
Harry Anderson
as Guard
Henry Guttman
as Man at Van Barth's
Len Hendry
as Bill Morgan
Harry Rosenthal
as Charlie
Bea Allen
as Elevator Operator
Mary Currier
as Ivy Temple
Earl Hodgins
as Guide
Robert Coleman
as Messenger
Norman Leavitt
as Tourist
William Meader
as Airways
Jerry James
as Man with Fish
Julia Faye
as Secretary
Pepito Pérez
as Headwaiter at Van Barth's
Barry Norton
as Man at Van Barth's
Ruth Roman
as Bit Part
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Critic Reviews for The Big Clock

All Critics (8) | Fresh (8)

View All Critic Reviews (8)

Audience Reviews for The Big Clock

  • Feb 24, 2016
    Kind of a racy noir entree wherein the our hero not only is the suspected murderer, but also the detective ordered to hunt down ... himself. What's racy is the sexual depravity that drives the action, and that many of the characters are cast as the sexually depraved stereotype that they embody in popular myth, like Laughton as a closeted homosexual, or Elsa Lanchester as a ditzy slut. Poor ol' Ray Milliand is just a regular Joe trynta escape the clutches of all these wack job deviants. Some fun in the night.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • May 02, 2011
    Combining equal doses of drama and comedy, this entertaining piece of the crime genre is a must-see, not only for Ray Milland's star performance, but for the story's timing as well as execution. Based on Kenneth Fearing's novel, and directed by John Farrow, here is a suspenseful tale of a man racing against time, and as the proverb has it, eventually against his own boss (time=money=boss). If you loved "His Girl Friday" then this one won't disappoint you. Elsa Lanchester in the role of painter Patterson is a delight.
    Anastasia B Super Reviewer
  • May 03, 2010
    Tightly made thriller, the inspiration for No Way Out with Kevin Costner, is well paced and well acted by an excellent cast. Laughton is great and Rita Johnson stands out as the mistress, she is given some wonderful lines and knows how to make them count. A worthwhile view.
    jay n Super Reviewer
  • May 04, 2009
    an intense thriller with ray milland and charles laughton that was remade in the 80's as the kevin costner vehicle called no way out. this is better of course. some of the dialogue is line for line
    Stella D Super Reviewer
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