SYNOPSIS: Inflamed by drink, best-seller author Mulcahy (William Bendix) taunts the locals of the little Irish village of Monavullagh about their God-fearing ways. Father Carey (Nigel Patrick) is called to pacify him as he stands in front of the church shouting that if there is a God, to strike him down as a blasphemer. At that moment a shot rings out and Mulcahy falls dead. A complete stranger (Aldo Ray) appears holding a gun and declares that some compelling force made him kill Mulcahy. Awaiting trial in Dublin the stranger becomes legend and is dubbed Johnny Nobody, since no one can discover who he is.
NOTES: Based on a story published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 1950.
Filmed on location in Ireland.
This movie was filmed in so-called "Warwickscope". My memory of Warwickscope is that it was not an anamorphic process at all, but simply a 1.85:1 widescreen framing and projection system.
COMMENT: I can't understand why "Johnny Nobody" has never been revived. It made a big impression on me at the time. I found it tense, exciting, ingeniously intriguing. Not only were the script's credentials as a mystery thriller extremely sound, but it was most convincingly acted — particularly by director Nigel Patrick himself in a really off-beat role.
Other credits, led by the attractive location photography, were likewise outstanding.
In short: Highly recommended.
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