This parable looks at public reaction when the hair of an American war orphan mysteriously turns green.This parable looks at public reaction when the hair of an American war orphan mysteriously turns green.This parable looks at public reaction when the hair of an American war orphan mysteriously turns green.
- Director
- Writers
- Ben Barzman(screen play)
- Alfred Lewis Levitt(screen play)
- Betzi Beaton(story)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Ben Barzman(screen play)
- Alfred Lewis Levitt(screen play)
- Betzi Beaton(story)
- Stars
Videos1
Johnny Calkins
- Dannyas Danny
- (as John Calkins)
Curtis Loys Jackson Jr.
- Classmateas Classmate
- (as Curtis Jackson)
Peter Brocco
- Bit Partas Bit Part
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Ben Barzman(screen play)
- Alfred Lewis Levitt(screen play)
- Betzi Beaton(story)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
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. —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
- Taglines
- What Crime Did He Commit?
- Genres
- Certificate
- G
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaUnfortunately 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. Dean Stockwell later played Howard Hughes in Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988).
- GoofsWhen the barber is preparing to cut his hair, a close-up shot shows a chunk of cut hair on his right side. Then when the barber begins cutting, it's not there. But re-appears for the next close-up of him crying.
- Crazy creditsDean Stockwell is credited simply as "The Boy" in the opening credits and as "Peter" in the end credits complete cast of characters.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Precious Images (1986)
Top review
This movie stayed with me since childhood.
When I was little I saw this movie on tv. It made an impact that never left me. It is a "B" movie, but the message of cruelty to those that are different is an "A". I don't know if it would have had the same impact on me had I been an adult when I first saw it, but the message is still with me today. Sometimes I wish young kids today could see this movie, I wonder if it might make an impact on them also.
helpful•252
- walle-3
- May 29, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Der Junge mit den grünen Haaren
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 22 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was The Boy with Green Hair (1948) officially released in Canada in English?
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