Home / The Devil at 4 O'Clock

The Devil at 4 O'Clock

Year:

1961

Duration:

126 min

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller

IMDB rate:

7.1

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Awards:

1 win

Details

Country: USA

Release Date: 1961-10-18

Filming Locations: Fallbrook, California, USA

Cast

Actor

Character

Bernie Hamilton

Spencer Tracy

Father Matthew Doonan

Frank Sinatra

Harry

Kerwin Mathews

Father Joseph Perreau

Jean-Pierre Aumont

Jacques (as Jean Pierre Aumont)

Grégoire Aslan

Marcel (as Gregoire Aslan)

Alexander Scourby

The Governor

BarBara Luna

Camille (as Barbara Luna)

Cathy Lewis

Matron

Martin Brandt

Doctor Wexler

Louis Merrill

Aristide Giraud

Marcel Dalio

Gaston

Tom Middleton

Paul, Co-pilot

Ann Duggan

Clarisse

Louis Mercier

Corporal

Michele Montau

Margot

Eugene Borden

Citizen (uncredited)

Earl D'Eon

Radio Operator (uncredited)

Jean Del Val

Louis (uncredited)

Max Dommar

Grellou (uncredited)

Janine Grandel

French Woman (uncredited)

Moki Hana

Sonia (uncredited)

Warren Hsieh

Napoleon

William Keaulani

Constable (uncredited)

Guy Lee

Tavi (uncredited)

Robert M. Luck

Captain Olsen (uncredited)

Ma Ma Loa

Dancer (uncredited)

Michael Mancuso

Hawaiian Boy (uncredited)

Tony Maxwell

Antoine (uncredited)

Pearl Rose

Hawaiian Girl (uncredited)

Robin Shimatsu

Marianne (uncredited)

Nanette Tanaka

Fleur (uncredited)

Norman Wright

Fouquette (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

This film remained in development at Columbia Pictures for several years before it was eventually made.

Share this

The meaning and relevance of this film's title is that its literary origins are said to have derived from a proverb that says, "It is hard for a man to be brave when he knows he is going to meet the devil at four o'clock". Moreover, in the film's story, the team of rescuer adventurers goes out to save lepers on the mountain after the volcano has erupted and the island evacuated. They must return by 4:00 o'clock the next day, which is the deadline for when the last schooner will depart the island.

Share this

Richard Widmark has said that Spencer Tracy told him that a broomstick was used as Frank Sinatra's stand-in during Sinatra's absences, marking his position in a scene, the brush end representing Sinatra's head. Tracy had to act opposite it whilst a script girl read Sinatra's lines.

Share this

Goofs

After the island explodes, the sea is perfectly calm. A huge eruption like that would have produced a huge tsunami.

Share this

In the scenes in the village during one eruption, the ground splits. The trench into which the loose soil falls to create this effect can be seen even before the dirt disappears.

Share this

When one of the convicts has fallen in the mud pit,a bald headed man in dark clothing(crew member) can be seen behind the fauna to the right,pulling him with a rope further from rescue from Frank Sinatra's character.

Share this

Quotes

Charlie: I was a pretty good thief in my time.

Share this

Harry: Hey, Holy Joe, we don't owe you nuttin', so don't start pushin'.

Share this

Father Matthew Doonan: I'll bet you were a sweet little altar boy.

Share this

Faq

Is this film based on a book?

The Devil at 4 O'Clock is a 1958 novel by British author Max Catto [1907-1992]. It was adapted for the screen by American screenwriter Liam O'Brien.

A Note Regarding Spoilers

The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. Spoiler tags have been used sparingly in order to make the page more readable.

Who is it that gets sucked into the quicksand?

The French convict Marcel. He is carrying a little boy as they are crossing a watery area, and they both get stuck. Marcel manages to hand the boy off to the others in a heroic gesture before he is sucked down. He begs God to forgive him for his sins as he goes down.

Share this