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The Boy with Green Hair (1948)

82 min  -  Comedy | Drama | Family  -   16 November 1948 (USA)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 1,203 users  
Reviews: 45 user | 17 critic

This parable looks at public reaction when the hair of an American war orphan mysteriously turns green.

Director:

Joseph Losey

Writers:

Betsy Beaton (story), Ben Barzman (screen play), and 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pat O'Brien ...
Gramp Fry
Robert Ryan ...
Dr. Evans
Barbara Hale Barbara Hale ...
Miss Brand
Dean Stockwell ...
Peter Fry
Richard Lyon Richard Lyon ...
Michael
Walter Catlett Walter Catlett ...
The King
Samuel S. Hinds Samuel S. Hinds ...
Dr. Knudson
Regis Toomey Regis Toomey ...
Mr. Davis
Charles Meredith Charles Meredith ...
Mr. Piper
David Clarke ...
Barber
Billy Sheffield Billy Sheffield ...
Red
Johnny Calkins Johnny Calkins ...
Danny (as John Calkins)
Teddy Infuhr Teddy Infuhr ...
Timmy
Dwayne Hickman ...
Joey
Eilene Janssen Eilene Janssen ...
Peggy
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Storyline

Peter Frye, typical American boy, is orphaned when his parents are caught in the London Blitz. He is not told of their fate, but shuttled from one selfish relative to the next, ending with "Gramp," a kindly ex-vaudevillean. Peter and Gramp, both fond of "Irish bulls," get along fine; but the morning after Peter finally learns he's an orphan, his hair spontaneously turns green! The absurd over-reactions of stupid people overturn his life as the story becomes a parable. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Hair | Boy | Parable | Runaway | War Orphan  | See more »

Taglines:

Please don't tell why his hair turned green!

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Der Junge mit den grünen Haaren See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Unfortunately for the film's director, Joseph Losey, the eccentric, politically conservative Howard Hughes took over RKO while this film was being shot and, hating the film's pacifist message, did his best to sabotage it. Losey, however, managed to protect the integrity of his project. Screenwriter Ben Barzman, who was also later blacklisted along with Losey, would later recall that "Joe shot the picture in such a way that there wasn't much possibility for change. A few lines were stuck in here and there to soften the message, but that was about it". Barzman also remembered that 12-year-old Dean Stockwell was called into Hughes' office and Hughes told him that when the other children spoke of the horror of war, he should say, "And that's why America has gotta have the biggest army, and the biggest navy, and the biggest air force in the world!" According to Barzman, little Stockwell was so in sympathy with the film's message that he dared to respond, "No, sir!" Even after Hughes started to scream at him, the boy held his ground and refused to do it. See more »

Connections

Featured in Guilty by Suspicion (1991) See more »

Soundtracks

"HOW MANY MILES TO DUBLIN TOWN?"
(uncredited)
Folk song
Sung by Pat O'Brien and boys See more »