A young Irish house maid, Mary Rafferty, falls in love with Paul Scott, the son of her employer, a Pittsburgh steel mill owner. Their romance is endangered when Mary's family and friends, all steel mill workers, go on strike against Paul's father as the local steel industry is bought out by bigger concerns. When the Scott family refuses to sell their mill, Paul, the only son who cares about the mill and the workers, tries to intervene amid rumors the union is calling for violence under threat of strikebreakers. The Scott family, Mary and her father, and the union leader try to reach an agreement despite opposition from Paul’s brother.
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]
