The Big Clock (1948): Cast & Plot
The Big Clock is a 1948 crime thriller directed by John Farrow, starring Maureen O'Sullivan as Georgette Stroud, Chuck Hamilton and Ray Milland. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- John Farrow
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Big Clock About?
The premise of The Big Clock without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When a glamorous blonde is murdered, crusading crime‑magazine editor Stroud cancels his vacation and is tasked by publisher Janoth to find the killer. As the case progresses, his brilliant investigative team mistakenly builds evidence that implicates Stroud, forcing him to outwit his colleagues and prove his innocence.
The Big Clock Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- manhunt
- elevator
- clock
- office
- bartender
- apartment
- security guard
- race against time
- husband wife relationship
- new york city
- framed for murder
- female painter
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- murder investigation
- henchman
- framed painting
- abstract painting
- newspaper tycoon
- falling down an elevator shaft
- falling to death
- suspense
- crime of passion
- employer employee relationship
- antique dealer
- amateur detective
- false accusation
- based on novel
- magazine
- husband and wife co star
- night watchman
- new york
- secretary
- bar
- newspaper
- phone booth
- fedora
- sundial
- airplane
- cigarette smoking
- blonde woman
- three word title
- in medias res
- lobby
- chart
- marital argument
- quitting a job
- drunkenness
- time
- handkerchief
- wheeling west virginia
- delayed honeymoon
The Big Clock Cast & Characters
Maureen O'Sullivan leads the cast as Georgette Stroud, with Chuck Hamilton as Guard at Janoth Building (uncredited) and Ray Milland as George Stroud. Directed by John Farrow; 46 actors are credited in all.
- Director John Farrow
-
Maureen O'Sullivan as Georgette Stroud - Chuck Hamilton as Guard at Janoth Building (uncredited)
-
Ray Milland as George Stroud - Lee Miller as Man from 'Airways' in Elevator (uncredited)
Also Starring in The Big Clock
· 42 more- Charles Laughton Earl Janoth
- Rita Johnson Pauline York
- George Macready Steve Hagen
- Elsa Lanchester Louise Patterson
- Judy Nugent Penelope Patterson (uncredited)
- Harry Morgan Bill Womack
- Bess Flowers Woman in Conference Room (uncredited)
- Bert Moorhouse Editor at Conference Table (uncredited)
- Lester Dorr Cabby (uncredited)
- Dick Gordon Minor Role (uncredited)
- Frank Hagney Ice Man (uncredited)
- James Burke O'Brien
- Philip Van Zandt Sidney Kislav
- Frank Orth Burt
- Franklyn Farnum
- Lloyd Corrigan McKinley
Show all 46 cast members Show fewer cast members
- James Carlisle Van Spove (uncredited)
- Al Ferguson Guard at Janoth Building (uncredited)
- Barry Norton Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
- Frances Morris Grace Adams
- Norman Leavitt Tourist (uncredited)
- Douglas Spencer Bert Finch
- Julia Faye Secretary (uncredited)
- Ruth Roman Secretary at Meeting (uncredited)
- Theresa Harris Daisy (uncredited)
- Joey Ray Joe Talbot
- Richard Webb Nat Sperling
- Bobby Watson Morton Spalding
- Noel Neill Elevator Operator (uncredited)
- Ernö Verebes Waiter
- Harry Anderson Guard (uncredited)
- Henri Letondal Antique Dealer
- Luis Van Rooten Edwin Orlin
- Elaine Riley Lily Gold
- Lucille Barkley Hatcheck Girl
- Harold Vermilyea Don Klausmeyer
- Margaret Field Second Secretary
- Dan Tobin Roy Cordette
- Harry Rosenthal Charlie
- Lucy Knoch Secretary (uncredited)
- Bea Allen Betty (uncredited)
- B.G. Norman George Jr.
More from John Farrow
More films directed by John Farrow, best-rated first: Hondo, Around the World in 80 Days, John Paul Jones and The Unholy Wife.
The Big Clock Plot Summary
What happens in The Big Clock from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The Big Clock follows George Stroud, Ray Milland, editor-in-chief of Crimeways magazine, who hides from building security inside the massive clock that dominates the lobby of the Janoth Publications building in New York City. The clock isn’t just a decorative feature; it’s a symbol of the power and reach of the publishing house, and it frames Stroud’s tense, high-stakes world as he moves through a story that blends newsroom ambition with a deadly mystery.
Full summary
The whole story of The Big Clock, scene by scene
The Big Clock Videos
The featurette of The Big Clock.
How Well Do You Know The Big Clock?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is George Stroud's profession at the start of the film?
Cars in The Big Clock
3 cars on screen, including the 1946 De Soto De Luxe and the 1942 De Soto Custom.
-
1946 De Soto De Luxe Minor role -
1942 De Soto Custom Background role -
1940 Plymouth Roadking Background role
The Big Clock Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “大時計” and “Il tempo si è fermato”.
- Also known as
-
- 大時計
- Il tempo si è fermato
- El reloj asesino
- La Grande Horloge
- Spiel mit dem Tode
- 大钟
- Olhos na Noite
- Большие часы
- Το Αλλοθι του Δολοφόνου
- O Relógio Verde
- 빅 클락
- Den stora klockan
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- ساعت بزرگ
Seen The Big Clock?
Movies Like The Big Clock
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Elevator to the Gallows, Johnny O’Clock and The Big Fall.
The Big Clock FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Big Clock, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Big Clock?
The Big Clock runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was The Big Clock released?
The Big Clock was released on March 18, 1948.
Who directed The Big Clock?
The Big Clock was directed by John Farrow.
More films by John Farrow Who is in the cast of The Big Clock?
The Big Clock stars Maureen O'Sullivan as Georgette Stroud, Chuck Hamilton as Guard at Janoth Building (uncredited) and Ray Milland as George Stroud, among 46 credited actors.
Does The Big Clock have a post-credit scene?
No. The Big Clock has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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