Odd Man Out
| Odd Man Out | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Carol Reed |
| Produced by | Carol Reed |
| Written by |
F. L. Green (novel) R. C. Sherriff (screenplay) |
| Starring |
James Mason Robert Newton Cyril Cusack Kathleen Ryan F. J. McCormick |
| Music by | William Alwyn |
| Cinematography | Robert Krasker |
| Edited by | Fergus McDonell |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | Rank Organisation |
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Release date
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Running time
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116 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,250,000 (US rentals) |
Odd Man Out is a 1947 British film noir set in an unnamed Northern Irish city and directed by Carol Reed. It is based on the novel by F. L. Green and stars James Mason and Robert Newton.
The film's opening intertitle reads:
The city and the organisation are never explicitly named, but the protagonist, Johnny McQueen (James Mason), is the IRA-like group's leader in the city. Johnny has been hiding the past six months since his escape from prison in a house occupied by Kathleen Sullivan (Kathleen Ryan) - who loves him - and her grannie.
Johnny has been ordered to rob a mill to obtain funds. His men, however, are a bit uneasy about his fitness for the task, having noticed a change in him since his escape; he has expressed his new belief that negotiation might achieve their goals more effectively than violence. Dennis (Robert Beatty) offers to take his place, but Johnny turns him down.
Johnny, Nolan (Dan O'Herlihy) and Murphy get the money. As they leave, Johnny is confronted by an armed cashier. Johnny is shot in the left arm before he kills the cashier. Pat (Cyril Cusack) drives off at high speed before Johnny is fully inside the getaway car. Johnny falls off. While his confederates argue about what to do, Johnny gets up and dashes away.
Dennis orders the others to report to headquarters. Along the way, however, the trio arouse the suspicion of the police, out in force on a manhunt for the robbers. They are pursued, but get away. Pat and Nolan stop off at Theresa O'Brien's place; Murphy does not trust her and goes elsewhere. She betrays the pair to the authorities. As they leave, they are gunned down after they start shooting.
Dennis finds Johnny, but the police show up nearby. Dennis is captured after drawing them away.
Johnny makes his way toward Kathleen's place, but collapses in the street. Passersby Maureen and Maudie take him home, thinking he has been struck by a passing lorry. When they discover who he is, Johnny departs and gets into a parked hansom cab. "Gin" Jimmy (Joseph Tomelty), the cabdriver, comes out and starts looking for a fare, unaware he already has a wanted man for a passenger. When he finds out, he drops Johnny off as quickly as he can.
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