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The Big Clock

Play trailer Poster for The Big Clock Released Apr 9, 1948 1h 35m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Anticipating a much-needed vacation from Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton), his abusive boss, magazine editor George Stroud (Ray Milland) finally reaches a breaking point when Janoth insists he skip his honeymoon and go out of town on assignment. Stroud resigns and finds solace over multiple drinks with his boss' unhappy mistress, Pauline York (Rita Johnson), at a local bar. Together they come up with a half-inebriated plot to embarrass Janoth -- but the plan takes an unexpected turn toward murder.
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The Big Clock

Critics Reviews

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Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 'The Big Clock' has one of the most deliciously noir twists in a genre known for its ruthless characters, cold-blooded betrayals, and twisted plots. Nov 16, 2024 Full Review Film Daily Staff The Film Daily After dawdling for about a half hour, this whodunit gets into gear and becomes an engrossing contest. Jul 21, 2021 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Zesty performances and superb art direction -- the Janoth Publications building, complete with the titular object, is an architectural marvel -- are just two of the pluses in this riveting film that builds to a satisfying conclusion. Rated: 3.5/4 May 20, 2019 Full Review Rob Aldam Backseat Mafia A classic noir which twists and turns towards a riveting finale. May 9, 2019 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...there's no denying that the movie possesses a surprisingly contemporary vibe. Rated: 3/4 Jan 10, 2007 Full Review Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Terrific suspense ... still packs a punch. Rated: 4/5 Jul 22, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Will G A great noir movie. There was romance and drama. There was a murder and it was solved. I enjoyed the music. It was made by Paramount and I’ve been there before with my Dad. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/29/25 Full Review Insomniac X A well-acted thriller with plotting and pacing as fine tuned as the gears of its eponymous clock. Starts with a clever premise and successfully builds on it through complications and escalating tension. The third act reaches a frenzy that feels almost farcical, but lands on a gripping and powerful climax. Charles Laughton, Ray Milland, and George Macready are all at the height of their powers here. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/02/25 Full Review Alec B A delightfully strange little noir. There are solid performances all around but its the near dystopian mid century building that's the real star of the movie. Its like an Ayn Rand fever dream. Incredible stuff. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/05/24 Full Review nick s Can't argue with the directing as it flowed nicely and was great moment by moment. But TBH I wasn't enamoured with the storyline & plot elements. It seemed like one of those mysteries that read well in a book but didn't translate into the real world so well. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/05/24 Full Review Simon L Tension is consistently heightened along it's character-driven plot until the climax near the end. This is a truly great classic suspense film. My wife and I watched it together and both of us loved it. At that time I had already watched the re-make "No way out" made in 1987. I appreciate this original version better for it's crisp story telling with less distractions. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/16/23 Full Review steve d A thrilless thriller that has aged terribly. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Big Clock

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Cast & Crew

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John Farrow

Director

Ray Milland

George Stroud

Charles Laughton

Earl Janoth

Maureen O'Sullivan

Georgette Stroud

George Macready

Steve Hagen

Rita Johnson

Pauline York

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The Big Clock

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Movie Info

Synopsis Anticipating a much-needed vacation from Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton), his abusive boss, magazine editor George Stroud (Ray Milland) finally reaches a breaking point when Janoth insists he skip his honeymoon and go out of town on assignment. Stroud resigns and finds solace over multiple drinks with his boss' unhappy mistress, Pauline York (Rita Johnson), at a local bar. Together they come up with a half-inebriated plot to embarrass Janoth -- but the plan takes an unexpected turn toward murder.
Director
John Farrow
Producer
John Farrow, Richard Maibaum
Screenwriter
Kenneth Fearing, Jonathan Latimer
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 9, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 30, 2016
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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