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{{short description|1945 film by Tay Garnett}}
{{about|a film|the Biblical place|Valley of Decision|other uses|Valley of Decision (disambiguation)}}
{{about|a film|the Biblical place|Valley of Decision|other uses|Valley of Decision (disambiguation)}}
{{more footnotes|date=January 2011}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = The Valley of Decision
| name = The Valley of Decision
| image = The Valley of Decision.jpg
| image = The Valley of Decision.jpg

| image_size =
| caption = Theatrical poster to ''The Valley of Decision'' (1945)
| caption = Theatrical poster
| director = [[Tay Garnett]]
| director = [[Tay Garnett]]
| producer = [[Edwin H. Knopf]]
| producer = [[Edwin H. Knopf]]
| writer = [[Marcia Davenport]] ''(novel)''<br>[[Sonya Levien]]<br>[[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[The Valley of Decision (novel)|The Valley of Decision]]''<br>1942 novel|[[Marcia Davenport]]}}
| starring = [[Greer Garson]]<br>[[Gregory Peck]]<br>[[Donald Crisp]]<br>[[Lionel Barrymore]]<br>[[Preston Foster]]<br>[[Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1917)|Marsha Hunt]]<br>[[Gladys Cooper]]<br>[[Reginald Owen]]<br>[[Dan Duryea]]<br>[[Jessica Tandy]]
| screenplay = [[Sonya Levien]]<br>[[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]]
| starring = [[Greer Garson]]<br>[[Gregory Peck]]<br>[[Donald Crisp]]<br>[[Lionel Barrymore]]<br>[[Preston Foster]]<br>[[Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1917)|Marsha Hunt]]<br>[[Gladys Cooper]]<br>[[Reginald Owen]]<br>[[Dan Duryea]]<br>[[Jessica Tandy]]<br>[[Barbara Everest]]<br>[[Marshall Thompson]]
| music = [[Herbert Stothart]]
| music = [[Herbert Stothart]]
| cinematography = [[Joseph Ruttenberg]]
| cinematography = [[Joseph Ruttenberg]]
Line 15: Line 16:
| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn Mayer]]
| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn Mayer]]
| released = {{Film date|1945|05|03}}
| released = {{Film date|1945|05|03}}
| runtime = 119 mins
| runtime = 119 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = English
|budget = $2,165,000<ref name="Mannix">{{Citation | title = The Eddie Mannix Ledger | publisher = Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study | place = Los Angeles}}.</ref>
|budget = $2,165,000<ref name="Mannix">{{Citation | title = The Eddie Mannix Ledger | publisher = Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study | place = Los Angeles}}.</ref>
| gross = $8,096,000<ref name="Mannix"/><ref>Domestic take see "All-Time Top Grossers", ''Variety'', 8 January 1964 p 69</ref>
| gross = $9.132 million <ref name="Mannix"/><ref>Domestic take see "All-Time Top Grossers", ''Variety'', 8 January 1964 p 69</ref>
}}
}}


'''''The Valley of Decision''''' ([[1945 in film|1945]]) is a film set in [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, USA in the late 19th century, based on the [[Marcia Davenport]] [[The Valley of Decision (novel)|novel]]. It tells the story of a young Irish house maid who falls in love with the son of her employer, a local steel mill owner. The romance between Paul and Mary is endangered when Mary's family and friends, all steel mill workers, go on strike against Paul's father.
'''''The Valley of Decision''''' is a 1945 American [[drama]] film directed by [[Tay Garnett]], adapted by [[Sonya Levien]] and [[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]] from [[Marcia Davenport]]'s 1942 [[The Valley of Decision (novel)|novel of the same name]]. Set in [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, in the 1870s, it stars [[Greer Garson]] and [[Gregory Peck]]. The film was nominated for two [[Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress in a Leading Role]] (Greer Garson) and [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture]]. This was Garson's sixth nomination and her fifth consecutive, a record for most consecutive Best Actress nominations that still stands (tied with [[Bette Davis]]).
⚫
The [[Allegheny, Pennsylvania|Allegheny City]] railroad station is misspelled as Alleghany City.


==Summary==
==Plot==
A young Irish house maid, Mary Rafferty, falls in love with Paul Scott, the son of her employer, a Pittsburgh steel mill owner. Their romance is endangered when Mary's family and friends, all steel mill workers, go on strike against Paul's father as the local steel industry is bought out by bigger concerns. When the Scott family refuses to sell their mill, Paul, the only son who cares about the mill and the workers, tries to intervene amid rumors the union is calling for violence under threat of [[strikebreaker]]s. The Scott family, Mary and her father, and the union leader try to reach an agreement despite opposition from Paul’s brother.
The movie stars [[Greer Garson]] as Mary Rafferty, [[Gregory Peck]] as Paul Scott, [[Donald Crisp]], [[Lionel Barrymore]], [[Preston Foster]], [[Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1917)|Marsha Hunt]], [[Gladys Cooper]], [[Reginald Owen]], [[Dan Duryea]] and [[Jessica Tandy]].

The film was nominated for two [[Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress in a Leading Role]] (Greer Garson) and [[Academy Award for Original Music Score|Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture]]. This was Garson's sixth nomination and her fifth consecutive, a record for most consecutive Best Actress nominations that still stands as of today (tied only by [[Bette Davis]]).

The movie was adapted by [[Sonya Levien]] and [[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]] from the [[The Valley of Decision (novel)|novel]] (1943) by [[Marcia Davenport]]. The film was directed by [[Tay Garnett]].

Besides being a romance, the film has messages about social issues surrounding Pittsburgh at the time. Early in the film, the steel industry is being bought up by big names, but the Scott family refuses to sell their mill. Paul, the only son who cares about the steel mill and the workers, gives a very stirring speech.

Later in the film, there are rumors that the union is calling for violence and Will Scott Jr. wants to bring in strike-breakers. The scene ends as rocks are thrown through the window and hit Paul. In the next scene, Mary goes to talk to her family and confirms that the union was not responsible for the rock-throwing. Mary, Paul, William Scott Sr., Mary's father (years ago injured in the mill) and the union leader try to come to an agreement, but Will Scott Jr. may have taken steps that could ruin all agreements and commitments.

⚫
The railroad station is misspelled 'Alleghany City.'


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Greer Garson]] as Mary Rafferty
* [[Greer Garson]] as Mary Rafferty
* [[Gregory Peck]] as Paul Scott
* [[Gregory Peck]] as Paul Scott
Line 46: Line 39:
* [[Gladys Cooper]] as Clarissa Scott
* [[Gladys Cooper]] as Clarissa Scott
* [[Reginald Owen]] as McCready
* [[Reginald Owen]] as McCready
* [[Dan Duryea]] as William Scott Jr.
* [[Dan Duryea]] as William Scott, Jr.
* [[Jessica Tandy]] as Louise Kane
* [[Jessica Tandy]] as Louise Kane
* [[Barbara Everest]] as Delia
* [[Barbara Everest]] as Delia
* [[Marshall Thompson]] as Ted Scott
* [[Marshall Thompson]] as Ted Scott
* [[Geraldine Wall]] as Kate Shannon
* Evelyn Dockson as Mrs. Callahan
* [[John Warburton (actor)|John Warburton]] as Giles
* [[Russell Hicks]] as Mr. Laurence Gaylord
* Mary Lord as Julia Gaylord
* [[Arthur Shields]] as Callahan
* [[Dean Stockwell]] as Paulie
* Mary Currier as Mrs. Laurence Gaylord
}}

==Casting==
Actor [[John Hodiak]], who was born in Pittsburgh, was cast in the lead role during pre-production in 1943.<ref name=bio>{{cite book |author1=Gary Fishgall |title=Gregory Peck: An Autobiography |date=2002 |publisher=Scribner |isbn=9780684852904 |page=102}}</ref> However, Gregory Peck replaced him before shooting began. Additionally, actor [[Marshall Thompson]] replaced [[Hume Cronyn]] as Peck's onscreen brother due to the height disparity between Peck and Cronyn. <ref>{{cite book |title=Motion Picture Story Magazine |date=1945 |publisher=Macfadden-Bartell |page=85 |edition=Volume 69}}</ref> Actor [[Dean Stockwell]], who was eight years old during filming, made his cinema debut in ''The Valley of Decision''.

==Production==
The film was shot at [[Culver Studios|Culver City]] with a large steel mill set designed by [[Cedric Gibbons]] and [[Paul Groesse]]. The Lot Three sets used for Pittsburgh street scenes had been originally built for ''[[Meet Me in St. Louis]]''. Production was briefly interrupted in July 1944 when Peck's first son Jonathan was born.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Michael Munn |title=Gregory Peck: A Charmed Life |isbn=9780709062653 |page=45 }}</ref><ref name=bio/> Principal filming wrapped in December 1944 with some reshoots in February 1945.


==Reception==
==Reception==
Bosley Crowther wrote, "the early phases of the picture are rather studiously on the 'cute' side" and "the middle phases are also somewhat artificially contrived...but the final phase...does have authority and depth;"<ref name="auto11">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/05/04/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-valley-of-decision-with-greer-carson-and.html|title=The Screen in Review; 'The Valley of Decision,' With Greer Carson and Gregory Peck, Makes Its Appearance at the Radio City Music Hall ...|first=Bosley|last=Crowther|work=The New York Times |date=May 4, 1945|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
⚫
The film was a massive hit, earning $4,566,000 in the US and Canada and $3,530,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $3,480,000 in profit.<ref name="Mannix"/><ref name="scott">Scott Eyman, ''Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer'', Robson, 2005 p 365</ref>

⚫
''TV Guide'' said it is "huge (and) sprawling{{nbsp}}... the realism of the sets is a tribute to the art directors and set decorators...three out of five stars."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-valley-of-decision/review/121965|title=The Valley Of Decision &#124; TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com}}</ref> The film was a massive hit, earning $4,566,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $3,530,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $3,480,000.<ref name="Mannix"/><ref name="scott">Scott Eyman, ''Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer'', Robson, 2005 p 365</ref>

==Awards and honors==
*[[Academy Award for Best Actress|Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role]] - Greer Garson, Nominated
*[[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture]], Nominated
*''[[Photoplay]]'' Gold Medal for film of the year, Won


==References==
==References==
Line 58: Line 73:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0038213}}
* {{IMDb title|0038213}}
* {{TCMDb title|1188}}
* {{AFI film|24645}}


{{Tay Garnett}}
{{Tay Garnett}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Valley Of Decision, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Valley Of Decision, The}}
[[Category:1945 films]]
[[Category:1945 films]]
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[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:1940s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films directed by Tay Garnett]]
[[Category:Films directed by Tay Garnett]]
[[Category:Films scored by Herbert Stothart]]
[[Category:Films scored by Herbert Stothart]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1870s]]
[[Category:Films set in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Films set in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Sonya Levien]]
[[Category:Screenplays by Sonya Levien]]
[[Category:1940s historical films]]
[[Category:American historical films]]
[[Category:Photoplay Awards film of the year winners]]
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[[Category:1940s American films]]
[[Category:Films shot at Culver Studios]]
[[Category:English-language historical films]]

Latest revision as of 12:29, 22 December 2024

This article is about a film. For the Biblical place, see Valley of Decision. For other uses, see Valley of Decision (disambiguation).
The Valley of Decision
Theatrical poster
Directed byTay Garnett
Screenplay bySonya Levien
John Meehan
Based onThe Valley of Decision
1942 novel
by Marcia Davenport
Produced byEdwin H. Knopf
StarringGreer Garson
Gregory Peck
Donald Crisp
Lionel Barrymore
Preston Foster
Marsha Hunt
Gladys Cooper
Reginald Owen
Dan Duryea
Jessica Tandy
Barbara Everest
Marshall Thompson
CinematographyJoseph Ruttenberg
Edited byBlanche Sewell
Music byHerbert Stothart
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn Mayer
Release date
  • May 3, 1945 (1945-05-03)
Running time
119 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2,165,000[1]
Box office$9.132 million [1][2]

The Valley of Decision is a 1945 American drama film directed by Tay Garnett, adapted by Sonya Levien and John Meehan from Marcia Davenport's 1942 novel of the same name. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the 1870s, it stars Greer Garson and Gregory Peck. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Greer Garson) and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. This was Garson's sixth nomination and her fifth consecutive, a record for most consecutive Best Actress nominations that still stands (tied with Bette Davis). The Allegheny City railroad station is misspelled as Alleghany City.

Plot

[edit]

A young Irish house maid, Mary Rafferty, falls in love with Paul Scott, the son of her employer, a Pittsburgh steel mill owner. Their romance is endangered when Mary's family and friends, all steel mill workers, go on strike against Paul's father as the local steel industry is bought out by bigger concerns. When the Scott family refuses to sell their mill, Paul, the only son who cares about the mill and the workers, tries to intervene amid rumors the union is calling for violence under threat of strikebreakers. The Scott family, Mary and her father, and the union leader try to reach an agreement despite opposition from Paul’s brother.

Cast

[edit]

Casting

[edit]

Actor John Hodiak, who was born in Pittsburgh, was cast in the lead role during pre-production in 1943.[3] However, Gregory Peck replaced him before shooting began. Additionally, actor Marshall Thompson replaced Hume Cronyn as Peck's onscreen brother due to the height disparity between Peck and Cronyn. [4] Actor Dean Stockwell, who was eight years old during filming, made his cinema debut in The Valley of Decision.

Production

[edit]

The film was shot at Culver City with a large steel mill set designed by Cedric Gibbons and Paul Groesse. The Lot Three sets used for Pittsburgh street scenes had been originally built for Meet Me in St. Louis. Production was briefly interrupted in July 1944 when Peck's first son Jonathan was born.[5][3] Principal filming wrapped in December 1944 with some reshoots in February 1945.

Reception

[edit]

Bosley Crowther wrote, "the early phases of the picture are rather studiously on the 'cute' side" and "the middle phases are also somewhat artificially contrived...but the final phase...does have authority and depth;"[6]

TV Guide said it is "huge (and) sprawling ... the realism of the sets is a tribute to the art directors and set decorators...three out of five stars."[7] The film was a massive hit, earning $4,566,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $3,530,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $3,480,000.[1][8]

Awards and honors

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
  2. ^ Domestic take see "All-Time Top Grossers", Variety, 8 January 1964 p 69
  3. ^ a b Gary Fishgall (2002). Gregory Peck: An Autobiography. Scribner. p. 102. ISBN 9780684852904.
  4. ^ Motion Picture Story Magazine (Volume 69 ed.). Macfadden-Bartell. 1945. p. 85.
  5. ^ Michael Munn. Gregory Peck: A Charmed Life. p. 45. ISBN 9780709062653.
  6. ^ Crowther, Bosley (May 4, 1945). "The Screen in Review; 'The Valley of Decision,' With Greer Carson and Gregory Peck, Makes Its Appearance at the Radio City Music Hall ..." The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  7. ^ "The Valley Of Decision | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
  8. ^ Scott Eyman, Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer, Robson, 2005 p 365
[edit]
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