The Big Clock

1948
Approved
1h 35m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

9.9K

YOUR RATING

Charles Laughton and Ray Milland in The Big Clock (1948)

A magazine tycoon commits a murder and pins it on an innocent man, who then tries to solve the murder himself.

Play trailer2:14

1 Video

91 Photos

Film Noir Police Procedural Psychological Thriller Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

A magazine tycoon commits a murder and pins it on an innocent man, who then tries to solve the murder himself.A magazine tycoon commits a murder and pins it on an innocent man, who then tries to solve the murder himself.A magazine tycoon commits a murder and pins it on an innocent man, who then tries to solve the murder himself.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

9.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Videos1

Trailer 2:14

Trailer

Photos91

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The novel on which this film is based was written by poet Kenneth Fearing, as revenge on publisher Henry Luce and his "Time" magazine. Fearing was obliged to work there (for financial reasons) for many years. The fearsome Earl Janoth is often regarded as a libelous parody of Luce, even though the book received a rave review from the "Time" critic, as did the film.

Goofs
When the Big Clock is first shown and the camera pans down to the lobby floor with the tour guide, it shows that there is a ledge directly underneath the clock which would make the display of its time impossible to see from the lobby.

Quotes
Earl Janoth: [talking on intercom to Steve Hagen] On the fourth floor - in the broom closet - a bulb has been burning for several days. Find the man responsible, dock his pay.

Connections
Edited into The Clock (2010)

Soundtracks
I'm in the Mood for Love
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
source music heard when Pauline first meets George at the bar

User reviews106

Review

Featured review

8/10

"Where are the green clocks of yesteryear?"

Taut thriller about a crime magazine editor (Ray Milland) trying to stay one step ahead of being framed for murder by his tyrannical boss (Charles Laughton). Ray Milland is great but it's scenery-chewing Charles Laughton that is the most memorable part of this movie. George Macready plays Laughton's crony and partner-in-crime. Rita Johnson is fantastic as Laughton's mistress. Elsa Lanchester has a small but amusing part that she makes the most of. Harry Morgan appears in an early role as a "problem solver" for Laughton. This was Maureen O'Sullivan's first movie in five years and her first non-Tarzan movie in seven. Director John Farrow was also her husband at the time so I'm sure that had something to do with her returning to the screen.

A tightly paced film with a great script. Fine direction from Farrow. It was remade in 1987 as No Way Out, which isn't a bad movie itself. Thankfully it isn't a direct copy but a reworking of the original story. Both the remake and this original have wonderful (and completely different) endings. This is definitely one you'll want to check out if you're a fan of film noir or thrillers from the '40s.