Watch The Clock

The Clock is a 1945 romantic drama film directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Judy Garland and Robert Walker. The story revolves around a soldier on leave in New York City, where he meets a young woman at a train station at 11:59 p.m. The two have a whirlwind romance over the course of 24 hours as they navigate the challenges of a city at war.

The film opens with Pvt. Joe Allen (Robert Walker) arriving in New York City on a two-day leave from the army. On the train platform, he meets Alice Mayberry (Judy Garland), a young woman who is on her way to meet a soldier she plans to marry. As Alice waits for her military beau to arrive, Joe strikes up a conversation with her, and the two quickly hit it off. When Alice’s supposed fiancé fails to show up, she and Joe spend the night together exploring the city and getting to know each other.

Throughout the course of the film, the two lovers face a number of obstacles. Joe struggles with the sense of displacement and disillusionment that comes from being a soldier in wartime, while Alice is weighed down by her own feelings of obligation and uncertainty about the future. The two also have to navigate a city on high alert, as police sirens blare and air raid warnings sound throughout the night.

Despite these challenges, Joe and Alice’s romance blossoms over the course of the 24 hours they spend together. They visit the Statue of Liberty, attend a concert at Carnegie Hall, and even get married on a whim. Throughout it all, the film provides a glimpse into the vitality and resilience of the wartime city, as well as the intense emotions that come with falling in love under the shadow of death and destruction.

At its core, The Clock is a love story that celebrates the power of connection and the human spirit. It is also a poignant tribute to the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians during World War II. Throughout the film, the characters grapple with the weight of duty and responsibility, and the ways in which love can both elevate and complicate our lives.

Judy Garland gives a powerful performance in her role as Alice, embodying both the vulnerability and strength of a young woman trying to find her place in the world. Robert Walker also shines as Joe, capturing the complex emotions of a soldier who is struggling to reconcile his love for Alice with his obligations to his country.

Aside from the magnetic performances of its stars, The Clock is also notable for its evocative cinematography and lush score. Minnelli’s use of the city as a backdrop creates a vivid, atmospheric world that heightens the emotional impact of the story. Meanwhile, the film’s musical score, composed by George Bassman and conducted by Carmen Dragon, beautifully underscores the heartbreak and joy of the characters’ journey.

All in all, The Clock is a timeless classic that captures both the spirit of wartime America and the essence of human connection. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the profound emotional resonance of the story, as well as the talents of the cast and crew who brought it to life. If you are a fan of romantic dramas or classic cinema, this film is definitely worth a watch.

The Clock is a 1945 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.