Sometimes sweet, sometimes soggy dramatic love story has soldier Robert Walker befriending winsome working gal Judy Garland in New York City while on leave, proposing marriage to her in a rush of romantic excitement after they are separated in a crowd but find each other later under the clock near Penn Station. Director Vincente Minnelli aims for a gentle tone, though some of the situations the couple encounter are not so rosy (such as Keenan Wynn's obnoxious drunk and endless red tape in regards to a marriage license). Walker is too hyped-up to really connect with Garland, who is more low-keyed than usual but still fidgets in her own way. Judy's acting tics and crying jags can be quite enchanting when the mood is right. Here, the tone is mostly one of nervous happiness and emotional dismay, though the touching final reel is just about perfect. An interesting attempt at post-adolescent whimsy and pre-adult sophistication. **1/2 from ****
Review of The Clock
