The Valley of Decision (1945)

An Irish maid falls for the son of her wealthy boss, though their disapproving fathers and a bitter strike at the steel mill complicates matters.

Director:

Tay Garnett

Writers:

John Meehan (screen play), Sonya Levien (screen play)

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:

factory | city | railroad tracks | birdhouse | job | 

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Taglines:

Marcia Davenport's turbulent romance becomes a magnificent motion picture

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite her youthful appearance, Greer Garson was twelve years older than her leading man, Gregory Peck.

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Goofs

When Mary is leaving for Europe after stopping in at her father's house, she rushes away without her satchel containing all her belongings. She is seen boarding the carriage without it, and Jim, who accompanies her outside, is not carrying it, either.

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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

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

User Reviews

A Good Decision to Watch this Valley ****

Greer Garson, with a terrific Irish brogue, earned still another Oscar nomination. With the exception of 1940, Miss Garson was nominated for best actress from 1939-1945, a Hollywood record.

The film depicts the old problem of wealth vs. poverty. A pretty and pert Greer goes to work for the family of Gregory Peck. They are lovely, unpretentious people. Her dad, played by the irascible Lionel Barrymore, is a hot head if ever there were. His hot-headedness will ultimately lead to his downfall as the film goes on.

We see wealth and snobbery associated with it, especially by Peck's wife, brilliantly played by a young Jessica Tandy. In a change of pace, veteran movie mother, Gladys Cooper, comes off as a wonderfully, kind sort of matriarch married to the indomitable Donald Crisp.

The ending is great. All I can say is that fairness triumphs over snobbery. Class distinctions just seem to go away.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Valley of Decision

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