Movie Review: In the tradition of one-night romances..."The Clock"

By Maricor Capulong

In the tradition of one-night romances, I have stumbled upon a gem that is “The Clock.” Starring Judy Garland in the leading role, and co-starring Robert Walker as the dashing soldier who sweeps her off her feet. Directed by Judy Garland’s ex husband Vincente Minelli.

The story is simple, two people meet in sunny New York, guy and doll go out on the town, comedy ensues, and romance soon blossoms between the two. Its not a romance like we have today, and sometimes I wish they would produce more of these, it doesn’t require a lot of kissing scenes, emphasizes on heavy dialogue, (in the likes of “Before Sunrise” with Ethan Hawke) and romantic tension created by the plot and story lines.

Judy Garland plays Alice, a New Yorker, who seemingly is the type not to get carried away by romance. Purposely steers clear of situations that have no guarantees, And it shows, who was a mousy cautious young woman. The movie very much mirrors the values and social issues of the time, impersonally makes a statement that marriage comes before anything else, yet in the same breath makes a statement that love happens anytime where we least expect it.

Robert Walker plays Corporal Joe Allen, a character counter playing Judy’s character with a throw-caution-to-the-wind kind of mentality, visiting New York for two days before his duty starts. Romantic chemistry between the actors was phenomenal, each to their own credit, they had the ability to capture the sadness and address the issue of not knowing the future. Joe meets Alice and through casual conversation arranges a date that same night. They meet under the Astor clock, Downtown New York somewhere and they run into a fun adventure, cultivating in them getting hitched in a civil ceremony in city hall.

Here lies the conflict and the sadness, she is not afforded a big grand wedding, and he is not afforded time to spend with his new wife. The ending of his second day in the city, the morning of him leaving was my favorite scene. Yes, it was sad, but the story direction gave it an open ended interpretive ending. Alice was the one reassuring Joe that everything will be just fine, a change of character to a once unsure version of herself. The camera pans out to a big eagle eye view of the train station, as she walks away from the platform with a hopeful and brave smile you can tell that it will be fine. Alice and Joe would both be fine.

This is the very first movie I have seen of Judy Garland not singing. I loved the fact that she did not sing nor dance in any of the scenes, and just focused on her dramatic skills. For those who hate musical but love Judy Garland, this is the movie for you. Yes although she is known for her singing, this is just a refreshing alternative. Robert Walker had great chemistry with Judy Garland, believable as the wide-eyed fresh off the train soldier oozing with positive energy.

A movie for the hopefuls, a movie for the romantic; in an age where we are lacking one and low on the other, it reminds us that life can be a gamble, but living in it with fear and regret might not make it any bit easier.