Reviews (17)

The Clock's Ticking!
John Farrow's "The Big Clock" is one of the great noir films of the 40's. The downside is many people have 1) rarely seen it. 2) Many haven't even heard of it! Ray Milland stars as George Stroud a man who as the film goes on will have to track down a murderer when all the clues lead to one man, him! How can he prove his innocence. And how will he get anyone to believe him? These are the interesting questions that arise as you watch this film.
George Stroud (Milland) works for a publication that somehow manages to break cases before the police do. He is also suppose to go on his honeymoon with his wife Georgette (Maureen O' Sullivan) which is long overdue ( they now have a 5 year old son!). But, his boss Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton) wants him to postpone his honeymoon. Claiming he'll give him higher pay and a month's vaction. But George knows his wife will kill him if he's not there ready to leave with her lol. Now, one thing leads to another ( I don't want to give anyway too much of the plot). But George ends up missing his train and spends the night with Janoth's mistress! Later on that night, he finds that Janoth's mistress is dead! Was it murder? Well, all directions point that way since George saw Janoth go into Pauline York's (Rita Johnson) apartment. In an attempt to cover up his actions, Janoth tells George he has to solve the case before the police get involved. "The Big Clock" has a great musical score by Victor Young, nice cimatography by Daniel L. Fapp & John F. Seitz. And, fammed costume designer Edit Head does wonderful work. All of these things give this movie the "classic" noir feel to it. There are good, solid performances by everyone, and nice directing by Farrow. This is a very pleasurable film to watch on one of those rainy, dark nights, that just feels like watching a noir film. One of the best noir films I've ever seen.

Ray Milland and Charles Laughton Together. Enough Said...
As my title reads, this is indeed a captivating film-noir. The idea of a boss trying to blame an employee for murder might not have been a new one even in 1948, however with all its intriguing actors, witty taglines, and outstanding artistic quality, this film is perfect in the mystery world. Everybody should own a copy of "The Big Clock."

THE BIG CLOCK IS A BIG LETDOWN
I remember this movie from years back, and thought it was a pretty nifty noir thriller. A repeat viewing reveals it to be a bit on the trite side. Maybe it's Ray Milland's bland performance, but I had trouble getting through this one. Not all old films are true "classics" and this one is better left on the shelf, in my opinion.

There are many better examples of Film Noir out there. Give me LAURA or OUT OF THE PAST any day over this.

VICERAL NOIR DRAMA TINGED WITH COMEDY
"The Big Clock" is a brilliant labyrinth of dark humor and cyclical twists and turns - rather like riding a funhouse car into the murky blackness of uncertainty but with the nervous expectation that you are about to be frightened out of your mind. The film is a taut, lean thriller that presents a curious predicament for its hero, George Stroud (Ray Milland). He's a star reporter who is assigned to cover the murder of a mysterious woman by his punctually obsessed editor, Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton). There's just one little wrinkle that needs to be overcome; the overworked Stroud not only knows the woman in question but spent the night with her before she met with her untimely demise. There's also something else to consider; the woman was Janoth's mistress. Now the question arises for Stroud: how to accurately cover the scoop, report all the facts, expose the killer and keep his own name out of the proceedings. Both men are feverishly working to solve the crime, unwittingly culminating in accusations that will expose both their prior relationships with the corpse. Elsa Lanchester appears as Louise Patterson, the high-strung painter whose sketch of the prime suspect slowly begins to take on the figure of George Stroud. "The Big Clock" was remade in 1987 as the Kevin Costner thriller, "No Way Out".
THE TRANSFER: The gray scale is very nicely balanced with solid, deep and rich blacks and very smooth looking whites. There are instances where contrast levels appear somewhat low and fine detail seems slightly out of focus, but truly, there's nothing to generally disappoint one from this visual presentation. Occasionally pixelization breaks apart the background information - but only briefly and usually between dissolves. There's also a minor hint of edge enhancement that is barely noticeable. The audio is mono but very nicely cleaned up. There are no extras.

The Big Clock
Thrilling "Film Noir" type mystery. Ray Milland works for a magazine publisher who commits a murder. All the clues however point to Milland as the killer. He races against time to prove his innocence. First Rate Thriller! ... Read more

Description

Adventure, drama and romance of an outlaw ship and the = people aboard her. Based on Andrew Geer's novel. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A rather strange role for the Duke, but a great fim!
I just recently stumbled onto this movie while searching through Amazon for war movies, and hesitated getting it because I had never heard of it before. Though available through Amazon channels on VHS, it wasn't the easiest to obtain.I finally got it on VHS though, and immediately found it to be a great little movie.It is now, of course, available on DVD, thankfully.

As my title suggests, and other reviewers have already noted, this is a strange role for the Duke. It is hard to imagine him as anything but an all-American hero. That being said, he put in a performance equal to any he has done before or after this movie. The beautiful Lana Turner added a valuable dimension to the film, and I was amazed at the number of familiar faces in the picture. As the movie was made in 1955, some of the more familiar faces were just getting started, and have become familiar to us after seeing them in many other films or on TV. Tab Hunter, Alan Hale, Jr (Skipper on Gilligan's Island), James Arness (Gunsmoke) are just a few. You'll be surprised at how many others you will recognize.

The story is a simple one. John Wayne has been demoted to a tramp steamer after, what must have been, an honorable career in the German Navy. He "earned" this demotion after making his opposition to the Nazis common knowledge. Even though he has no use for Hitler and crew, he is a German nationalist through and through. His aging ship is docked in Australia as the invasion of Poland by Hitler and the Nazis begins, bringing England and, of course, Australia to war with Germany. He has two choices--either being interned in Australia, along with his crew, or making a run for home. The title tells you what choice he makes. Lana Turner is a German agent "engaged" to a British Naval officer. This officer happens to be an old friend of Wayne's from a previous life. One thing leads to another, and she ends up with Wayne when he leads his ship in a breakout. Her "ex" becomes a lead officer in the chase across the seas, and the plot thickens from here on. Confused? Not if you see the movie. The ending is a bit unusual and unexpected, at least to me, although you sense something similar has to happen. I won't give it away, but getting to the end is suspensful and entertaining.

The Duke is every bit the true to form hero in this movie, German or not. As others have mentioned, there is no attempt at accents by any, other than the Aussies, and that makes it difficult to see any of them as Germans, especially without the stereotypical Nazi uniforms and insignia.

All-in-all, I enjoyed the movie, and am happy to recommend it and add it to my collection. I am very happy to see it come out on DVD, since it was getting more difficult to find on it VHS. If you have a chance to see it--do. If you collect war genre movies, as I do, it is a valuable addition to any collection.
One of John Wayne's better movies even though it is, perhaps, not as well known.

Epic World War II Intrigue

It's almost axiomatic that whatever movie John Wayne was part of could be given several stars, but this one is so atypical to his roles that it is seems unusual that he would choose it.

Recently I saw the movie on AMC, not having watched the movie in many years. Recently too, I became aware that the DVD had been issued. Having a good impression of the movie after seeing it on AMC, I purchased the DVD.

I prefer John Wayne in westerns, and am most familiar and comfortable with the 'saddle em up & move em out' roles, that it takes a bit of role switching to see him as a World War II German freighter captain. But John Wayne was so adaptable in his acting abilities that it comes across just fine; and with Lana Turner, an oft-times underrated actress, his performance gets only better.

If you like a World War II action adventure based on fact, intertwined with human interest, this is a very good DVD to add to your collection.

Recommended.

Great Sea Adventure
Even though John Wayne plays a German sea Captain during WWII this film is concerned more with adventure than politics and that's what makes it work. The stereo sound is outstanding. There are many character actors throughout this movie. It's a good one.

Karl Ehrlich just wants to go home
This story is told secondhand by Cmd. Jeff Napier as he recalls it. So it is one long flashback with narration.

Capt. Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne) is the German captain of a tramp steamer in an Australian harbor. Cmd. Jeff Napier an old friend is showing off his new fiancée Elsa Keller (Lana Turner). From their eye movement it looks as though the captain and Elsa know each other. When the commander steps out, Karl confronts Elsa with her past and sends her packing.

Things heat up pretty fast from here. Even though the captain is an old naval officer he was dismissed when he opposed the Nazi régime. But he is still a German nationalist. With the invasion of Poland Australia is dragged into the war leavening Karl with only a small chance of sneaking the ship out in the fog. At the last minute the German Consulate hands him one of their best agents (spies). One guess as to who that agent may be.

Now the chase is on and Cmd. Jeff Napier has a professional and personal reason to track down Karl before he reaches Germany.

The real story is that of the action between the different members of the crew. The nature of the agent adds complications to the voyage. And there is a conflict of morals aboard.

Will Capt. Karl Ehrlich make it home?
Or will Cmd. Jeff Napier blow him out of the water?
What becomes of Elsa?

"What flag is that sir? It does not have a swastika."
"That is the German Imperial Battle Flag"

A fun side interest in this movie is that instead of the standard John Wane repertoire of actors, this is an interesting mix including, Tab Hunter, James Arness, and Claude Akins.

A Wayne romantic film in style of John Wayne
A common John Wayne film with typical John Wayne styles and macho manners.The German Captain is nobody but John Wayne.He talked like John Wayne, acted like John Wayne.Even romaticises like John Wayne.A simple John Wayne film except he was dressed in German Uniform. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The Team Behind "Wake Island"
Today, Wake Island remains a lonely outpost and weather station frequented by Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force units on ASW training, semi-annual MSC supply visits, and continued USAF flights from Hickam Field, Oahu. Located in the Oceanic region at Lat. 19.2833 North and Long. -166.6536 East, temperatures rarely rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit during December. But almost 60 years ago, it was pretty hot for those Warfighters in Dec 1941. Wake Island, a piece of U.S. territory, was practically seen on every USMC Recruiting Station poster and playing at local hometown theaters. Wake Island- the movie- was released to the general public in late Aug 1942 to help boost morale back at home. This epic war film was made as a factual film chronicle, an authentic picturization of America at war- the first of its kind since a Japanese "stab in the back", on 7 Dec 1941, had changed the course of American history. Over 7,000 military personnel and their dependents first saw it when it was premiered all day long at Camp Elliott's base theater (near San Diego, CA), on 24 Aug 1942. In the making of this film, the United State Marine Corps provided Lieutenant Colonel Francis E. Pierce, USMC (later downed 6 confirmed Japanese aircraft, and C.O. of MCAD Miramar, 24 Oct 44-1 Apr 45) as technical advisor, and Lieutenant Colonel W. G. Farrell, USMC, as liaison officer. Never too far away was the supervising officer of the Marine technical staff- Brigadier General Ross Erastus Rowell, USMC (CG 2d MAW; 1884-1947). Additionally, a special weapons detail comprising 60 Marines from Camp Elliott, under the command of Captain Nicholas Pesecans, USMC, manned and received valued training with the various heavy automatic weapons (.30 and .50 caliber machine guns, and a 37-milimeter anti-tank gun), including one 5-inch naval gun. Also, a squadron of eight F4F-3 Grumman fighters (assigned to 2d MAW) from NAS San Diego airfield, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John N. Hart (an old Annapolis classmate of Brian Donlevy, and later C.O. of VMO-251 at Espirito Santo) planned the USMC aerial combat against a group of Ryan SC low-wing monoplanes painted to duplicate the Japanese Nakajima- 96 fighters. They were flown by picture and test flyers led by Herbert L. White, and by Frank Clark- chief pilot of the film unit. Not being outdone, one PBY-5A was shown flown by a naval crew stationed at NAS San Diego. Then, there was the giant Pan American Airways "China Clipper" flying boat (a Martin M-130 with top speed 150 mph and 3,200 mile range), whose pilot dutifully took orders from Brian Donlevy. The three location sites for filming were: the Salton Sea, the Great Salt Lake, and the coastal firing range on Coronado Island's "Strand Beach." With Brian Donlevy (1901 - 1972) depicting Major James Patrick Sinnott Devereux (commander of the Wake Marine Detachment from 15 Oct 1941 - 23 Dec 1941; 1903-1988), there was Walter Abel (1898-1987; depicting island C.O., Commander Winfield S. Cunningham, USN); the comedy team of two USMC privates- Robert Preston Meservey (1918-1987) and William Bendix (this was William's second assignment under the Paramount banner; 1906-1964); Albert Dekker who played the tough civilian construction contractor (familiar to fans in two horror films of 1940- Dr. Cyclops and Strange Cargo); and, young Edward MacDonald Carey (1913-1994) playing the heroic role as in real-life comparison to Major Paul A. Putnam (C.O. of VMF-221 fighter squadron consisting of twelve F4F-3 Grumman fighters). His serious respect for the USMC "Flying Leathernecks" would later get him an assignment with Colonel Walter L. J. Bayler, USMC (then Major Bayler, communications officer of MAG-21, better known to USMC as "the last man off Wake Island"). Thus, the audience of 1942 at all home theaters laughed, cried, and howled as the Marines goofed-off, fought one another, and hit hard the enemy landing force in the final scenes. There was the patriotic Chinese- American, Richard Loo (1916-1975), who portrayed the Japanese special envoy- Saburo Kurusu, on his way to Washington for "peace" negotiations. Who can forget that out of the tomato and carrot fields of Imperial Valley, CA, during the hot summer of 1942, some 150 loyal Filipino- Americans did their patriotic part, too, as they volunteered to portray the invading Japanese forces (now known as the 1,000- strong Maizuru 2nd Special Naval Landing Force). Director John Villiers Farrow (1904-1963) brought more than Hollywood skill to this film. He also brought an intimate knowledge of war. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy until invalided out of service December 1941 after contracting typhus while on duty as executive officer of a Canadian ASW vessel operating in the South Atlantic. Wake Island was his first directing assignment in two years (in 1940 he directed A Bill of Divorcement). And, who would have known that from this film lovely Barbara Britton who played just a brief moment as the wife of the young Marine "Flying Leatherneck" pilot, played by Carey, would shortly after assist a Marine Recruiting Station in Los Angeles, CA. Finally, E. MacDonald Carey soon enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. He was sent to Parris Island, NC, on 7 Dec 1942, for recruit training. Then he was sent to OCS Quantico, VA, for officer training- graduating in April 1943. Would you know it... his first assignment was as a Marine aviation maintenance officer for the Marine Air Group under the command of Colonel W. L. J. Bayler ("the last man off Wake Island") at newly established MCAS Cherry Point, NC. "What a Team!"

In The Days Following Pearl Harbor
Wake Island details the battle for the island in the days immediately following Pearl Harbor. Wake Island was a small, flat piece of nothing in the middle of the Pacific that had strategic importance. When Japanese bombers began attacking, there wasn't much the American Marines stationed there could do, although the battle they put up in the face of hopeless odds was remarkable. Needless to say, the emphasis is on the action here, as it should be, and it is efficiently and effectively played out. There's a number of familiar character actors that give the movie a comfortable feel. The film is competently made, and history lovers and war buffs will no doubt find it entertaining enough.

where is closed captioned?
why not you put on closed captioned and i would buy some of them if that have all of them closed captioned. that would be nice.

Better than remembered
Saw this long ago on TV. We had no Saturday morning cartoons then, only seemingly endlessly repeated WWII movies. This DVD isn't bad at all. Yes, we have all the cliché military and civilian types we're supposed to have in movies of this sort. Yes, we have some VERY well done camera work also. William Bendix and Brian Donlevy great. Worth a look, not "Zulu" but worth a look.

Marines Stand Tall
When you consider the timing of this movie and its propaganda value, then weigh it with the reality of what the Marines did on Wake, this is one of the finest and timeliest movies to come out of WW II.

Good acting, good action, but a few technical details missed (such as calling someone "soldier" - doesn't happen in the Marine Corps; also belt buckles, etc. Minor stuff, given the time). Overall, a solid movie and a good cast.

Well worth Seeing by Marines and those who love 'em.

Semper Fi ... Read more

Description

Paul Muni stars as Eric Toresen, an apolitical Norwegian fisherman who is galvanized into action when his village is occupied by the Nazis. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

this movie was made in 1942 off Vancouver Island
This movie was made in 1942, and made use of the HMCS Prince David which was on leave from thrashing around in the Aleutians looking for the Japanese. My father was an officer on that ship at the time, and thoroughly enjoyed the cast, especially Sir Cecil Hardwicke. I've watched the movie, and of course it is propaganda, it was made in 1942. That is part of its charm. Remember that at the time, no one knew who would win the war. Vancouver Island makes a good stand in for Norway, and Paul Muni is some brave! It is superior propaganda and a fun experience.

Muni, WWII & Tommy-Guns; what more could you want!
This WWII film does have a certain aspect of propaganda to it, but the tense storyline is riveting and will keep you glued to your chair until the last scene (which isn't exactly what you'll be expecting). Muni puts in a fine performance, as always. Overall, an enjoyable war drama.

limp war drama
Poorly, poorly directed WWII drama involving the invasion of Norway by Germans and how it affected a small Norwegian town whose sort-of burgermeister is played sympathetically enough by Paul Muni. He escapes to England by boat to marshall commando forces to liberate his town and destroy a planned airfield. A Hollywood Norwegian is something to hear and see, women in embroidered bonnets and shawls and men with bleach blonde hair talking about the miracle of spawning salmon. The action scene, the destruction of the airfield, had enough pyrotechnics to be exciting, but the director chose to sit way back and watch it, making the whole enterprise impossibly dull. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Likeable western.
I like Copper Canyon, it's one of my favorite westerns. Admittedly the plot is somewhat convoluted and the acting is merely adequate. I think I mainly like the cast. Hedy Lamarr is gorgeous -- as always, Mona Freeman was one of Hollywood's prettiest blondes, and Ray Milland is the suave, dashing hero. Copper Canyon was just another western ground out during Hollywood's Golden Age. But at least it was fun to watch, which I can't say about most movies made these days. ... Read more