Plantiana
Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.
Lidia Draper
Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
Brenda
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
StrictlyConfidential
Can you believe a Hollywood Rom/Com starring Judy Garland and she doesn't sing a single note in it!?... Well - Believe it - 'Cause she doesn't.Personally, I think that if Garland had been given a couple of ditties to twitter that certainly would've helped to liven things up and move things along in this corny'n'cute "boy-meets-girl" story from 1945.Mind you - There were some entertaining moments to enjoy in this happy/sad little tale. And, I especially liked the bum-note that this one's story ended on. (Yeah. I thought that it was a nice touch)"The Clock" was directed by Vincent Minnelli who would soon be romantically involved with Garland.
TheLittleSongbird
Perhaps not one of the all-time great wartime romance films ('Casablanca' being the quintessential one), but still ranks very highly as one. It really charms and touches, has great performances and direction and it is among the best films and performances of both Judy Garland and Robert Walker.Where 'The Clock' fares least is in some of the background photography, which is less than audacious and gives the impression that it was done in haste and it is a shame because 'The Clock' does look lovely everywhere else. Most of the photography is handsomely done, the production design elegant and atmospheric and really liked the fact that the city felt like a main character rather than just a city or a set.George Bassman's music score is lush without being over-bearing or too syrupy, while it will never be one of the greatest film scores it works within the film and complements the atmosphere well. The script avoids being overwrought and melodramatically soap-opera-like, dangers in romance films and that both those traps have been fallen into has hardly been unheard of. The story is full of charm and touching pathos, with an ending that wrenches the heart.Vincente Minnelli's direction is some of the most sensitive he's ever given and he clearly shows a love for Garland and a passion for the story.As wonderful a singer she was, anybody doubting Garland's acting ability (never have by the way) should look to her beguiling and poignant performance in 'The Clock' (as well as her best performance ever in 'A Star is Born') for a re-assessment. Walker similarly is a charming and sincere leading man, not only one of his better performances but to me his second best after his iconic Bruno Anthony in Hitchcock's 'Stranger on a Train'. Their chemistry is irresistibly beautiful, and it brings me to tears knowing that both met tragic ends so young.They are supported by a superb supporting cast, a sympathetic James Gleason and a very funny Marshall Thompson standing out. Not to mention Keenan Wynn as a very naturalistic and scarily realistic but entertaining drunk.Overall, great and moving film that should be better known. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Ilpo Hirvonen
The Clock directed by Vincente Minelli (who by the way got married with the leading actress Judy Garland) is a romantic love story, which takes place in New York during the WWII.The story begins when a soldier (Robert Walker) travels to New York for the weekend and meets a girl (Judy Garland) at the railway station. They start spending time together, and fall in love without even knowing each other very well.Even that the story has its flaws and some plot twists are a bit unbelievable, it has something "magical" in it. Because the characters are still well created and the milieus of the movie are fantastic. Even that most of this movie was filmed in the Hollywood studios, but well the cinematography isn't the only thing which creates a good atmosphere.The sudden love of two strangers also seems a bit unbelievable at some points, but still, that probably is what many people dream of, and this was made in the year of 1945, pure escapism. A movie is always a reflection of its time.This is also great entertainment. They can't make romantic films like this anymore in Hollywood. I can name dozens of great love stories from 30-40's, but can I do the same from 90-00's? No I can't.7/10 A nice, simple love story with sympathetic characters. Recommended to everyone!
drednm
THE CLOCK is a neat little film directed by Vincente Minnelli with a story by Paul Gallico.Robert Walker plays a naive soldier on leave in New York City where he meets Judy Garland, a secretary from a small town who has lived in the city for 3 years.They spend the day together, knowing only the other's first name and having a series of "adventures," most notably getting a ride from a milkman (James Gleason) and trying to get married. Of course they also lose each other in a subway crowd and find one another under "the clock." Minnelli has some terrific, long scenes here (no cuts) and loving closeups of the stars. The episodic nature of the narrative works well since the plot is the "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boys gets girl" theme.Keenan Wynn is a rather obnoxious drunk in a luncheonette scene that also features Moyna MacGill (Angela Lansbury's mother) in a funny bit. Marshall Thompson has a nothing bit, and Lucile Gleason is wonderful as Gleason's wife serving breakfast.Oddly, the basic plot of this film mirrors that of Paul Fejos' 1928 silent masterpiece LONESOME, which starred Glenn Tryon and Barbara Kent as workers in New York City who meet, spend a day together at Coney Island, and then lose one another in the crowds, knowing only the other's first name. THE CLOCK gives no credit to the Fejos film.Garland and Walker are exceptional as the young couple.
