The Valley of Decision (1945)

Mary Rafferty comes from a poor family of steel mill workers in 19th Century Pittsburgh. Her family objects when she goes to work as a maid for the wealthy Scott family which controls the ... See full summary »

Director:

Tay Garnett

Writers:

John Meehan (screenplay), Sonya Levien (screenplay),

Stars:

Greer Garson, Gregory Peck, Donald Crisp

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greer Garson	...	Mary Rafferty
Gregory Peck	...	Paul Scott
Donald Crisp	...	William Scott
Lionel Barrymore	...	Pat Rafferty
Preston Foster	...	Jim Brennan
Marsha Hunt	...	Constance Scott
Gladys Cooper	...	Clarissa Scott
Reginald Owen	...	McCready
Dan Duryea	...	William Scott Jr.
Jessica Tandy	...	Louise Kane
Barbara Everest	...	Delia
Marshall Thompson	...	Ted Scott
Geraldine Wall	...	Kate Shannon
Evelyn Dockson	...	Mrs. Callahan
John Warburton	...	Giles

Storyline

Mary Rafferty comes from a poor family of steel mill workers in 19th Century Pittsburgh. Her family objects when she goes to work as a maid for the wealthy Scott family which controls the mill. Mary catches the attention of handsome scion Paul Scott, but their romance is complicated by Paul's engagement to someone else and a bitter strike among the mill workers.

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Plot Keywords:

strike | immigrant | union | maid | steel mill | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Tal der Entscheidung

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,160,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on January 14, 1946 with Greer Garson and Gregory Peck reprising their film roles

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Quotes

Paul Scott: [Mary is upset over her father's stubbornness and begins crying. Paul leads her to a bluff overlooking Pittsburgh's steel mills] You can see all of Pittsburgh from here, but Pittsburgh can't see you. Why don't you sit down and cry it out?

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Connections

Referenced in Mommie Dearest (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Molly Baun"
(uncredited)
Traditional Irish Ballad
Sung a cappella by Greer Garson
Also played a bit in the score

User Reviews

True love should have no boundaries.

Very interesting and entertaining poor-girl meets rich-boy tale of romance between a wealthy Pittsburgh steel mill owner(Gregory Peck) and a beautiful housemaid(Greer Garson). This circa 1870 drama is directed by Tay Garnett and based on a Marcia Davenport novel. A star studded cast makes this a prominent classic. Joining Peck and Garson are Donald Crisp, Lionel Barrymore, Dan Duryea, Marsha Hunt, Marshall Thompson, Preston Foster, Jessica Tandy and Reginald Owen. This movie is deserving of your time. Wholesome and enjoyable watching.