YouTube Noir — Noirvember Day 25: Odd Man Out (1947)
I’d heard about today’s YouTube pick for years, but I never had any real interest in seeing it.
Once I finally decided to check it out, I was blown away.
Odd Man Out (1947) stars James Mason, but he may be the only performer in the film that you’ve ever heard of. But, believe me, it won’t matter one bit. This is one cracking good movie, and you simply must do yourself a favor and see it.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Mason stars as Johnny McQueen, the leader of an underground organization in Ireland. When Johnny is wounded during the commission of a robbery designed to secure funds for the group, he finds himself the subject of a citywide manhunt. (This has got to be the most boring synopsis I’ve ever written. Trust me – the movie is so much better than I’ve made it sound here.)
WHAT ELSE?
This British noir was directed by Carol Reed, who also helmed The Third Man (1949), starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles.
The film was the first British movie to with the BAFTA award for Best British Film.
James Mason called his performance in Odd Man Out the best of his career. (I agree.)
Actor Stewart Granger was reportedly offered the role played by Mason, but turned it down because of the dearth of dialogue. He later regretted his decision, particularly when he saw the positive impact the film had on Mason’s career.
TOMORROW . . .
Join me for my next YouTube recommendation on Day 26 of Noirvember!
Surely among the best of British noir–a hair under _The Third Man_, but only a hair, and at least as good as Brighton Rock, and Night and the City. Why were they making films in 1947 at least as good at acknowledging the seaminess of everyday people as we do today? And that ending!
I frankly like it even better than The Third Man!
“The film was the first British movie to with the BAFTA award for Best British Film.” Wha? Maybe…
In 1949, the film won the first BAFTA award for Best British Film.
Thanks, Michael!
This has been on my list of films to watch for a while! Excited to watch it based on all the good things I’ve heard about it.
I’d love to know what you think of it after you check it out!
Coincidence time: Today (November 26) is Cyril Cusack’s birthdate (1910-1993).
Wow! I wish I could say that’s why I picked this film today . . .
[…] Ryan, who you can see in one of my YouTube recommendations from earlier this month, the excellent Odd Man Out (1947). A native of Ireland, Ryan was included on a recently released list of the 50 Greatest Irish […]