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

Feature film debut of Dean Stockwell.

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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 Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Gregory Peck (1962)

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Soundtracks

"Pop! Goes the Weasel"
(uncredited)
Traditional 17th century English song
Whistled by Gregory Peck several times

User Reviews

Stars Shine in the Marcia Davenport Novel.

This MGM 1945 drama brought Greer Garson and Gregory Peck together for the first and only time. They make a terrific acting pair, at the peak of their careers, and ignite the screen with passionate intensity. Filmed in black and white it tells the story of the dispute between a steel manufacturer and the men that work in the mill. Miss Garson plays a pretty maid who takes a job in the lavish home of Pittsburgh steel magnate, wonderfully played by veteran actor Donald Crisp. Peck plays one of his sons, devoted to his father's mill who works diligently alongside some of the mill workers, notably Preston Foster, to bring a newer more modern way of producing better steel. Crisp has two other sons; Dan Duryea, a bit more greedy for the money rather than the work and Marshall Thompson as the youngest son, who tends to drink away his carefree lifestyle. There is also a daughter played by the talented Marsha Hunt in one of her best performances and certainly worthy of a supporting Oscar nomination. By the way Greer did get a Best Actress nomination for this.

The distinguished Gladys Cooper plays the matriarch of the family and befriends Greer, leaving her share of the mill. Trouble brews among Greer's family when her father, played by another veteran, Lionel Barrymore, an embittered man having lost the use of his legs in an accident in the mill, stirs up violence that has tragic consequences.

Jessica Tandy also gives a dynamic performance as Peck's wife and look for a very young Dean Stockwell as their son. If you like big stars and excellent featured actors along with a compelling story, this is a film for you. Directed by Tay Garnett.