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It has always been a real pleasure to me to rediscover obscure films from years ago which are still of interest today and "The Big Clock" (1948) falls nicely into that category. At the start of this gripping thriller we find Ray Milland hiding in the "Big Clock" of the title wondering to himself how he ever got involved in murder and deception when he is just a hard working married man devoted to his wife, family and career and completely innocent of any crime. As was usual in forties films of that time we now go into a lengthy flashback which explains everything. "The Big Clock" had an exemplary cast including Charles Laughton (superb), Maureen O'Sullivan, George Macready, Harry Morgan, Lloyd Corrigan, Philip Van Zandt, Richard Webb, Dan Tobin and an excellent cameo role by Elsa Lanchester as Louise Patterson, an eccentric artist who plays a significant part in the unfolding drama. The film was directed by John Farrow who also made "Where Danger Lives" (1950) and "His Kind of Woman" (1951) (both with Robert Mitchum). Maureen O'Sullivan is of course best known for her role as "Jane" in the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films. She is married to John Farrow (director of "The Big Clock") and one of her daughters is of course Mia Farrow. Charles Laughton was a very distinguished British actor who appeared in many prominent films including one of my favourites - "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957). He only directed one film during his career which was the splendid "Night of the Hunter" in 1955. Ray Milland (Reginald Truscott Jones was his real name!) deservedly won the Best Actor Oscar for "The Lost Week-end" (directed by Billy Wilder in 1945). Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester were married during the making of this film as were director John Farrow and Maureen O'Sullivan.
Favourite lines:
Ray Milland: "More guards, the lobby's sewed up like a sack - and they said shoot to kill. They mean you George, you. How'd I get into this rat race anyway, I'm no criminal - what happened - when did it all start?".
Elsa Lanchester (when Ray Milland outbids her on a painting): "Isn't it a pity ... the wrong people always have money".
Elsa Lanchester (to Milland): "Never mind Mr Stroud, I've few enough collectors without sending one to jail".
