Odd Man Out (1947)

A wounded Irish nationalist leader attempts to evade police following a failed robbery in Belfast.

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

F.L. Green (by), F.L. Green (screenplay)

Stars:

James Mason, Robert Newton, Cyril Cusack

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Mason	...	Johnny McQueen
Robert Newton	...	Lukey
Cyril Cusack	...	Pat
F.J. McCormick	...	Shell
William Hartnell	...	Fencie
Fay Compton	...	Rosie
Denis O'Dea	...	Inspector
W.G. Fay	...	Father Tom
Maureen Delaney	...	Theresa O'Brien
Elwyn Brook-Jones	...	Tober
Robert Beatty	...	Dennis
Dan O'Herlihy	...	Nolan
Kitty Kirwan	...	Grannie
Beryl Measor	...	Maudie
Roy Irving	...	Murphy

Storyline

The leader of an Irish separatist group's, been hiding in the house of Kathleen and her mother, planning a robbery which would give his group the money needed to continue its activities. But the robbery fails, and Johnny's wounded. Immediately a man hunt's launched, and both the police - and Kathleen go in search of Johnny, but for different reasons.

---

Plot Keywords:

visual impairment | informer | roller skates | budgie | phone booth | 

---

Taglines:

An adventure in unbearable suspense !

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

Is referenced to several times in the Harold Pinter play, "Old Times"(1971).

---

Goofs

When Johnny falls from the car into the road, the first long shot shows him in sunlight near the middle of the road and opposite a gutter. A later shot shows him still in sunlight near the middle of the road, but he has now been moved back so he is opposite the intersecting road, so that when he rises he can run straight down that road.

---

Quotes

[the police are searching Grannie's home for evidence]
Grannie: Give 'em to me. Them's my sweets!

---

Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: This story is told against a background of political unrest in a city of Northern Ireland.

It is not concerned with the struggle between the law and an illegal organisation, but only with the conflict in the hearts of the people when they become unexpectedly involved.

---

Connections

Featured in Stars of the Silver Screen: James Mason (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished)
(uncredited)
Music by Franz Schubert

User Reviews

Unusual and Interesting Film

Very unusual film, this. Haunting. I'm not a big fan of James Mason but he is excellent in this.

An unnamed organisation (the IRA) in an unnamed Norhern Irish city (Belfast) carry out an armed robbery that goes wrong. Johnny ends up shot, dying and on the run. The movie tracks the multiple stalking of this wounded, dying creature. Everyone wants a piece of him for different reasons.

Why the IRA and Belfast aren't named I don't know - perhaps the politics of the time caused this.

Some aspects of the movie have dated somewhat, but much of it remains gripping and fascinating.

Harold Pinter refers to it constantly in his play Old Times and you can imagine that a young Pinter would have been influenced by this movie.

Check this one out, for sure.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Odd Man Out

Filming Locations:

Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$65,759

Company Credits

Production Co:

Two Cities Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1