In a police station, a child psychologist uses his ability to interview a runaway boy with hairs completely cut-off that is reluctant to speak. The boy tells that his name is Peter Fry (Dean Stockwell) and his parents had traveled to London and have not returned yet; meanwhile he is living with Gramp Fry (Pat O'Brien), after being lodged in the houses of many relatives for short periods. He gets along with Gramp, the locals, his schoolmates and his teacher; however, when he discovers that he is an orphan of war, his hair turns green on the next morning and Peter is rejected by his community.

The metaphoric "The Boy with Green Hair" is one of the most beautiful and touching fantasies, with magnificent messages against war, racism and intolerance. Joseph Losey directed a fantastic film, absolutely underrated in IMDb, with an original story associated to an awesome screenplay and top-notch performances, highlighting a twelve year-old Dean Stockwell and Pat O'Brien. In times of intolerance, this movie is a gem to be discovered by worldwide viewers. Further, this is the type of movie that should be recommended in schools for children, not only because of the antiwar and anti-racism peaceful messages, but also because demands interpretation of the story told by Peter to the psychologist. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Menino dos Cabelos Verdes" ("The Boy with Green Hair")

As the film begins, young Dean Stockwell (as Peter Fry) is in a police station; obviously, the adults do not know where he belongs, or why his head is shaved bald. Robert Ryan (as Dr. Evans) gets young Stockwell to speak, after giving the hungry boy a hamburger. Stockwell tells his story: he was a war orphan, and was shuffled between relatives ("I sure lived in a lot of places"). Finally, he winds up with Pat O'Brien (as "Gramps"), a vaudeville-type actor. He and Mr. O'Brian form a relatively happy family. However, at school, Stockwell is teased, for being an orphan; specifically, he is told he resembles an "Unidentified War Orphan" depicted in a poster. That evening, O'Brien comforts Stockwell, and promises the next day will bring hope in the form of a surprise.

The surprise is, of course, that Stockwell becomes "The Boy with Green Hair". This is a very unusual film, particularly for the time period; it is both thought-provoking, and entertaining. Stockwell and O'Brien are wonderful. "Nature Boy" is a beautiful, and apt, theme song. Stockwell's meeting with the War Poster children is very well done - still, quiet, and effective. However, the themes of "peace" and "tolerance" could be better connected. And, there are some minor story difficulties; for example, the milkman couldn't possibly be responsible for the green hair, unless Stockwell is the only milk drinker in town (stipulating the townspeople, as a whole, are of average intelligence). Still, a lovely film about being different, which we all are.

******* The Boy with Green Hair (11/16/48) Joseph Losey ~ Dean Stockwell, Pat O'Brien, Robert Ryan

The Boy With Green Hair is still a heart warming fantasy that should be required viewing the world over. Problem is that those in the Christian, Moslem, and Secular spheres in this world who could profit by it most will never see it.

Dean Stockwell is a 12 year old pre-pubescent war orphan due to World War II having been passed around from various relations and goes to live with Pat O'Brien. During the course of a school project collecting money for war orphans he wakes up one day and finds his hair turned an evergreen green.

Spirits of some of the dead orphans visit him and tell him he's been chosen to have this mark put on him to show the world that war is a bad thing for everyone, but especially for children. The rest of the film concerns Stockwell and how he deals with a responsibility.

Ironically enough this theme is universal and you wouldn't think that it would cause someone to be blacklisted. But that's what happened to director Joseph Losey. Losey had some leftwing pre World War II associations and he made this film as the lines were hardened for the Cold War. Bad timing on his part.

I've always felt that had their been a slightly more religious undertone to the film nothing would ever have happened. I've always felt that Dean Stockwell's situation was similar to that of a young Jesus. The only story recorded in the Gospels about Jesus after his birth and before he began his ministry was that story concerning him being found in the Temple discussing religious questions with the temple elders. He was as marked at that point as surely as if He had been given Stockwell's green hair.

For the first time Pat O'Brien was given a role befitting his age and he handles it well. His part is as an entertainer, a singing waiter, and he does a bit of song and snappy Irish blarney patter. As his film career waned, O'Brien used some of the material you see here as part of his nightclub act he created.

Barbara Hale does well as the sympathetic school teacher. Robert Ryan is wasted in a part as a social worker who is interviewing you Stockwell at the beginning of the film as Stockwell tells him of the events leading to him being a runaway. Such a fine actor had so little to do here, but look sympathetic.

The Boy With Green Hair also introduced the song Nature Boy that launched Nat King Cole's career as a solo recording artist. It was a mega-hit back in 1948, helped by the fact that a lot of the major record companies were being struck. Cole had signed with the new Capitol label which wasn't unionized at that point and in the vacuum his career was launched.

It's a timeless message The Boy With Green Hair conveys about the horror of war. Everyone should see this.