"Odd Man Out"

On Friday evening, September 11th, several BHC members met at the Film Forum in Greenwich Village for a screening of the 1947 film, "Odd Man Out." This was a recently restored version of Carol Reed's film, starring James Mason, Robert Newton and Kathleen Ryan. It was stunning on a big screen, stark black and white, with a beautiful soundtrack.

Afterwards, we stopped at a small eatery that featured paninis, espresso, and Italian desserts. Our discussion of the film centered around the way various people reacted to Mason's character, Johnny McQueen. Johnny was the chief of the local branch of the IRA (though it was never stated in the movie, it was obvious that this was the "organization" everyone spoke of). When he was wounded and left behind by his mates in a robbery intended to raise funds for the cause, he encountered many people who recognized him and reacted to him in a variety of ways. Most, sadly, were out for what they could get from him rather than willing to help him as a fellow human being.

The fact that he had killed a man during the robbery put him over a line, as the priest says. But the killing was accidental, and in fact Johnny is troubled and afraid that he has killed. No one takes this into account. Instead, some try to turn him in, others want to use him for the reward, for heavenly brownie points, or for "art."

The discussion was fascinating and the company was excellent. This was our second "BHC Movie Night" and we're hoping for many more.