The Clock (Under the Clock) (1945)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(1,111 ratings)

The Clock was designed by MGM as a "small" picture--though characteristically, it was a bigger production than most "A" efforts from any other studio. Paul Gallico's simple story involves a girl (Judy Garland) and a GI (Robert Walker), who meet under the huge clock at New York's Pennsylvania… More The Clock was designed by MGM as a "small" picture--though characteristically, it was a bigger production than most "A" efforts from any other studio. Paul Gallico's simple story involves a girl (Judy Garland) and a GI (Robert Walker), who meet under the huge clock at New York's Pennsylvania Station. Over the next 48 hours, the girl and the soldier fall in love, make the acquaintance of such lovable gotham types as cabbie James Gleason and inebriate Keenan Wynn, and decide to get married before the GI is shipped out again. The enormous Pennsylvania Station set, combined with some unusually convincing back projection (MGM was hitherto notorious for the worst back projection in the business) has convinced even lifelong New Yorkers that The Clock was actually lensed in Manhattan rather than Hollywood. Director Vincente Minnelli injected further visual dynamism in The Clock by seldom repeating the same camera angle twice. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli
Written By: Robert Nathan, Joseph Schrank
Genres: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1945 Wide
On DVD: Feb 6, 2007

Critic Reviews

Gabe Leibowitz, eCinemaCenter.com
Billed in some circles as the original Before Sunrise, Vincente Minnelli's The Clock doesn't come particularly close to reaching those hallowed grounds, but its structure and conclusion certainly make the comparison understandable.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Evanescent romance braving urban landscapes and wartime ruptures, captured by a gliding-craning-caressing camera
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...generally as affable and lighthearted as its premise might have indicated.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's hard not to be moved by its heart-warming romantic tale.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Drama with spectacular crowd scenes, showing life in New York City.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The beginning and ending are symmetrical: Story opens at Penn State, picking up a soldier (Robert Walker) in the crowd, and it ends when Alice (Judy Garland) sees him off at Penn State, when her figure is lost in the crowd
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A nice little wartime romance. Garland and Walker are sweet at the young couple in love.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Two people meet, fall in love at first sight, and get married the end. Interesting and sweet, but predictable and silly at the same time.
jay n

sweet gentle low key film with a non-singing Judy.
Dannielle A

Very romantic and emotional. Certain parts are so corny but somehow, before you realize it, your spirit is captured and floating away with the emotion in the film.