Clash by Night (1952)

Mae Doyle comes back to her hometown a cynical woman. Her brother Joe fears that his love, fish cannery worker Peggy, may wind up like Mae. Mae marries Jerry and has a baby; she is happy but restless, drawn to Jerry's friend Earl.

Director:

Fritz Lang

Writers:

Alfred Hayes (screenplay), Clifford Odets (play)

Stars:

Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Mae Doyle D'Amato
Paul Douglas	...	Jerry D'Amato
Robert Ryan	...	Earl Pfeiffer
Marilyn Monroe	...	Peggy
J. Carrol Naish	...	Uncle Vince
Silvio Minciotti	...	Papa D'Amato
Keith Andes	...	Joe Doyle

Storyline

The bitter and cynical Mae Doyle returns to the fishing village where she was raised after deceptive loves and life in New York. She meets her brother, the fisherman Joe Doyle, and he lodges her in his home. Mae is courted by Jerry D'Amato, a good and naive man that owns the boat where Joe works, and he introduces his brutal friend Earl Pfeiffer, who works as theater's projectionist and is cheated by his wife. She does not like Earl and his jokes, but Jerry considers him his friend and they frequently see each other. Mae decides to accept the proposal of Jerry and they get married and one year later they have a baby girl.

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Plot Keywords:

loveless marriage | anger | rumor | gossip | pier | 

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Taglines:

Beautifully Outspoken!

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Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Harriet Parsons, was location producer for Wald and Krasna to mainly keep an eye on director Fritz Lang. She was the daughter of famous Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons.

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Goofs

During the tavern scene, Mae and Jerry watch the moon rise over the ocean. The film takes place in Monterey, California, which is on the West coast, where the moon rises over the hills, and sets on the ocean.

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Quotes

Peggy: When I want you to kiss me, I'll let you know. By special messenger!

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Crazy Credits

and introducing Keith Andes

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Connections

Featured in Barbara Stanwyck: Fire and Desire (1991)

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Soundtracks

Blues No.8
(uncredited)
Music by Leith Stevens and Dave Torbett

User Reviews

A Good Man, a Bitter Woman, a Disloyal Friend and Adultery

The bitter and cynical Mae Doyle (Barbara Stanwyck) returns to the fishing village where she was raised after deceptive loves and life in New York. She meets her brother, the fisherman Joe Doyle (Keith Andes), and he lodges her in his home. Mae is courted by Jerry D'Amato (Paul Douglas), a good and naive man that owns the boat where Joe works, and he introduces his brutal friend Earl Pfeiffer (Robert Ryan), who works as theater's projectionist and is cheated by his wife. She does not like Earl and his jokes, but Jerry considers him his friend and they frequently see each other. Mae decides to accept the proposal of Jerry and they get married and one year later they have a baby girl. When the wife of Earl leaves him, he becomes depressed and Mae, who is bored with her loveless marriage, has an affair with him.

"Clash by Night" is an unpleasant drama with a bitter story and a moralist conclusion, actually a minor film of Master Fritz Lang in his career in Hollywood. Barbara Stanwyck has another magnificent performance in the role of a woman hardened by her bad sentimental and life experiences in the big city that returns home due to the lack of option. There is one quote ("When you run out of places, home is all you have left") that defines her mood. Paul Douglas plays a good honest man that nurses his old father, helps his crook alcoholic uncle and accepts the past of Mae Doyle, giving her a second chance. Robert Ryan plays a despicable rude man and disloyal friend. The affair between Mae and Earl has no chemistry and is only sexual desire. Last but not the least, it is delightful to see Marilyn Monroe playing a silly character. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil: "Só a Mulher Peca" ("Only the Woman Sins")

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

6 June 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clash by Night

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wald/Krasna Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1