On C List of Movie Reviews

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Clash by Night (1952)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 10/08

10/08: Clash by Night has a slow first half before picking up the pace and ends well at a high note.

The performances rendered by Barbara Stanwyck (who hardly put in much of effort), Robert Ryan (who can do better), Marilyn Monroe (in a limited role), and Keith Andes (who got lucky despite his limitations and would commit suicide in 2005) are fine, but it's Paul Douglas who steals the show. I feel for his character and can sympathize with him.

Fritz Lang's direction isn't bad, but he wastes a lot of time on trivial things like seagulls, fish, seals, and secondary characters. Also, there's no way that a pretty girl like Marilyn Monroe will work in a fish factory. Come on, please. For a while, I considered giving the film a '4' until I began to see the central point. By the way, Clash by Night isn't film noir but is rather heavy in drama.

I had a hard time believing Mae Doyle's attraction to Earl due to his smarmy leechlike personality. If Robert Ryan was replaced by Lawrence Tierney or maybe Marlon Brando, it would work out better. The message is, in order to save a relationship, to have the priorities in order while easing up on the selfishness; in short, it's the reverse version of A Doll's House.

All in all, Clash by Night is a solid drama picture.

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