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The Valley of Decision

1945 film by Tay Garnett From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Valley of Decision
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This article is about a film. For the Biblical place, see Valley of Decision. For other uses, see Valley of Decision (disambiguation).

The Valley of Decision is a 1945 American drama film directed by Tay Garnett, adapted by Sonya Levien and John Meehan from Marcia Davenport's 1942 novel of the same name. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the 1870s, it stars Greer Garson and Gregory Peck. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Greer Garson) and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. This was Garson's sixth nomination and her fifth consecutive, a record for most consecutive Best Actress nominations that still stands (tied with Bette Davis). The Allegheny City railroad station is misspelled as Alleghany City.

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Plot

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In Pittsburgh, 1873, Mary Rafferty, an Irish immigrant, lives with her crippled father Pat and her sister Kate Shannon. Mary tells her father that she has been hired as a house maid for William Scott, a steel mill owner. Pat disapproves of her daughter's decision as he became crippled while working for William's mill. On Mary's first work day, William's son Paul arrives home from London and is greeted by his mother Clarissa and his siblings, Ted, Constance and William Jr.

Later that evening, the Scotts host an evening dinner, where Mary becomes acquainted with Paul. At the steel mill, Paul expresses interest in modernizing the furnace to produce more finer steel. Paul's friend Jim Brennan shows him a model of the furnace at Mary's residence, but Pat forces him to leave. Angered at her father, Mary steps out and begins to fall in love with Paul. One night, Constance attempts to sneak out of the house to elope with Giles, the Earl of Moulton, but is prevented by Mary. Impressed with Mary's loyal servitude, Clarissa invites Mary aboard a cruise to William Jr.'s wedding in Boston. There, Mary and Paul kiss on the decks.

After several months, Paul loses sleep after failing to modernize the furnace. Having fallen in love with Mary, Paul proposes to marry her, much to her concern as she is a housemaid. As Mary proposes to vacate her job, Constance soon reveals her marriage to the Earl of Moulton to her parents, and with Clarissa's permission, Mary accompanies them to England. As she leaves, she bids her farewell to her family but not to Paul. Two years later, Mary receives a letter from Paul, stating the steel mill workers have gone on strike and his father is stricken with pneumonia. Knowing her affection towards Paul, Constance proposes that Mary reply to Paul's letter, but Mary is unable to write back.

Back in Pittsburgh, Paul is in a loveless relationship with Louise Kane. Clarissa divulges to her husband that Paul is in love with Mary, to which he sends for Mary to return to Pittsburgh. As they return home, he gives his blessing to their marriage, and Mary and Paul resume their romance. Meanwhile, Paul learns the strike led by Jim has turned violent. With the strike left unresolved, William plans to recruit strikebreakers. The next morning, Mary visits Jim and arranges a reconciliation meeting between the strikers and the Scotts. At the meeting, William decides to recognize the union.

However, the strikebreakers arrive and violence breaks out, which kills Pat and William. Mary, filled with grief over their deaths, decides she can never marry Paul. Ten years pass, and Paul marries Louise Kane and fathers a young son. Clarissa, now elderly, decides to sell her business share to Mary, trusting her to preserve the mills. Shortly after, Clarissa dies. At a meeting, Paul's siblings vote to sell their shares, but Mary persuades Constance to keep hers. Paul decides to leave Louise and returns Mary back home.

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Cast

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Casting

Actor John Hodiak, who was born in Pittsburgh, was cast in the lead role during pre-production in 1943.[3] However, Gregory Peck replaced him before shooting began. Additionally, actor Marshall Thompson replaced Hume Cronyn as Peck's onscreen brother due to the height disparity between Peck and Cronyn. [4] Actor Dean Stockwell, who was eight years old during filming, made his cinema debut in The Valley of Decision.

Production

The film was shot at Culver City with a large steel mill set designed by Cedric Gibbons and Paul Groesse. The Lot Three sets used for Pittsburgh street scenes had been originally built for Meet Me in St. Louis. Production was briefly interrupted in July 1944 when Peck's first son Jonathan was born.[5][3] Principal filming wrapped in December 1944 with some reshoots in February 1945.

Reception

Bosley Crowther wrote, "the early phases of the picture are rather studiously on the 'cute' side" and "the middle phases are also somewhat artificially contrived...but the final phase...does have authority and depth;"[6]

TV Guide said it is "huge (and) sprawling ... the realism of the sets is a tribute to the art directors and set decorators...three out of five stars."[7] The film was a massive hit, earning $4,566,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $3,530,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $3,480,000.[1][8]

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Awards and honors

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