They Made Me a Fugitive
Encyclopedia
They Made Me A Fugitive (originally released in the UK as I Became a Criminal) is a 1947
British film noir
set in postwar England. Based on the Jackson Budd novel A Convict has Escaped, the black-and-white
film was directed by Alberto Cavalcanti
(credited as just Cavalcanti) with brooding and atmospheric cinematography by noted cameraman Otto Heller. The script was written by playwright Noel Langley
, one of the screenwriters of The Wizard of Oz
.
plays Clem, an ex-RAF
man who is drawn into the world of crime after the war. His psychopathic crime boss Narcy (short for Narcissus
), betrays him when he refuses to deal in drugs, and he's framed for killing a police officer and imprisoned. The bitter Clem quickly escapes and sets off a country-wide man hunt as he seeks to avenge his being framed.
1947 in film
The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25...
British film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
set in postwar England. Based on the Jackson Budd novel A Convict has Escaped, the black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
film was directed by Alberto Cavalcanti
Alberto Cavalcanti
Alberto de Almeida Cavalcanti was a Brazilian-born film director and producer.-Early life:Cavalcanti was born in Rio de Janeiro, the son of a prominent mathematician. He was a precociously intelligent child, and by the age of 15 was studying law at university. Following an argument with a...
(credited as just Cavalcanti) with brooding and atmospheric cinematography by noted cameraman Otto Heller. The script was written by playwright Noel Langley
Noel Langley
Noel Langley was a successful novelist, playwright, screenwriter and director. While under contract to MGM he was one of the screenwriters for The Wizard of Oz...
, one of the screenwriters of The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
.
Plot
Trevor HowardTrevor Howard
Trevor Howard , born Trevor Wallace Howard-Smith, was an English film, stage and television actor.-Early life:...
plays Clem, an ex-RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
man who is drawn into the world of crime after the war. His psychopathic crime boss Narcy (short for Narcissus
Narcissus (mythology)
Narcissus or Narkissos , possibly derived from ναρκη meaning "sleep, numbness," in Greek mythology was a hunter from the territory of Thespiae in Boeotia who was renowned for his beauty. He was exceptionally proud, in that he disdained those who loved him...
), betrays him when he refuses to deal in drugs, and he's framed for killing a police officer and imprisoned. The bitter Clem quickly escapes and sets off a country-wide man hunt as he seeks to avenge his being framed.
Main cast
- Sally GraySally GrayConstance Vera Browne, Baroness Oranmore and Browne , commonly known as Sally Gray, was an English movie actress of the 1930s and 1940s....
as Sally - Trevor HowardTrevor HowardTrevor Howard , born Trevor Wallace Howard-Smith, was an English film, stage and television actor.-Early life:...
as Clem Morgan - Griffith JonesGriffith Jones (actor)Griffith Jones was an English film, stage and television actor.Born in London, England, Jones was the son of a Welsh-speaking dairy owner. In 1932, he married Robin Isaac, and they had two children: the actors Gemma Jones and Nicholas Jones...
as Narcy - René RayRené RayRené Ray, Countess of Midleton was a British film and stage actress of the 1930s and 1940s who appeared in over forty films....
as Cora - Mary MerrallMary MerrallMary Merrall , born Elsie Lloyd, was an English actress whose career of over 60 years encompassed stage, film and television work.-Stage career:...
as Aggie - Charles Farrell as Curley
- Michael BrennanMichael BrennanMichael Brennan may refer to:* Michael Brennan , film and television actor* Michael Brennan , former Australian rules footballer...
as Jim - Cyril SmithCyril Smith (actor)Cyril Bruce Smith was a Scottish actor who began his career as a child in the 1900s and went on to appear in over 100 films between 1914 and his death almost 50 years later.-Career:...
as Bert