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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

El valle de la abnegación

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$2,160,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,096,000

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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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

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

User Reviews

I first saw this film in 1945 in Morotai during the war and absolutely loved it and have been trying to find it ever since

I first saw this film in 1945 when I was serving in the Air Force on the Island of Morotai. Sitting on an old bomb tail fin and in the open air and in the rain. I remember writing to my parents in Perth WA telling them not to miss it. I am now 79 years of age and of course it is difficult for me to remember all the details of the film, but it was the style of film that impressed me so much that I have been looking for it ever since. Some two years ago I heard that it was played on Foxtel (our equivalent to pay TV) and as I don't have that luxury, once again I missed it. I have now tried to buy it and hope I will get it in due course