“Clash by Night” (1952) directed by Fritz Lang, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas and Marilyn Monroe / Z-View

Clash by Night (1952)

Director: Fritz Lang

Screenplay: Alfred Hayes; based on Clash by Night by Clifford Odets

Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, J. Carrol Naish, Keith Andes, Albert Cavens and Charles Cirillo.

Tagline: They called it love! But that isn’t what the whole town whispered…nor the ugly name the husband gave it when he found out…too late!

The Plot…

Mae Doyle (Stanwyck) left Monterey for a glamourous life.  Now, ten years later she’s returned.  The rich man she was seeing died.  He left Mae some money, but the man’s wife and family took her to court.  They won and Mae got nothing.  Now she’s ten years older and back in the same small town she hoped to never see again.

Mae moves into the family home now owned by her younger brother, Joe (Andes).  Joe isn’t happy to see Mae back.  Joe knows she’s a gold digger and is worried Mae will be a bad influence on his girl, Peggy (Monroe).

Mae begins to date Joe’s boss, Jerry.  Jerry owns a boat and makes a modest living leading a fishing crew.  Jerry falls for Mae but thinks he’s not in her league.  Mae hoped for a better life, but Jerry is the best she’ll find in this town.  They continue to date with Jerry hoping to win her over.

Jerry introduces Mae to his best friend, Earl (Ryan).  Earl is rough around the edges, and like Mae had hoped for a better life than he has.  Mae can’t stand Earl and the feeling is mutual.

Jerry proposes to Mae.  She warns him that she’s no good for him.  Jerry doesn’t see it that way.  Mae realizes that although Jerry isn’t her type of man, he could provide her with security.  Mae agrees to marry Jerry, maybe she will come to love him.

A year into the marriage and Jerry and Mae have a baby girl.  Small time life isn’t what Mae wanted.  And the way Earl is looking at her and talking to her.

Mae knows it’s wrong and someone could end up dead, but…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Clash by Night features one of Marilyn Monroe’s first starring roles.  During filming, news of Monroe’s nude calendar photos became public knowledge.  The news created quite a distraction for the film’s production.  Barbara Stanwyck advised Marilyn to admit the truth and say that she posed for the photos when she was younger and needed the money. (Much as Stanwyck did when she was younger.)

Stanwyck, Ryan and Monroe get well deserved praise for this film.  And rightly so.  Paul Douglas shines as well.

Clash by Night deals with a mature theme and is well directed and well cast.  I felt the ending wrapped things up too nicely.  Interestingly enough, the play on which the film is based had a different ending.  One of the main characters is murdered.  Director Fritz Lang wanted to keep that ending, but the studio forced a more positive outcome.  I wish Lang had gotten his way.

Clash by Night (1952) rates 3 of 5 stars