starring Patrick McGoohan, Keith Mitchell, Betsy Blair, Paul Harris
written by Paul Jarrico, Nel King
directed by Basil Dearden
91 minutes
Drummer Johnny Cousin (Patrick McGoohan) wants to break away from band leader and pianist Aurelius Rex (Paul Harris). He wants Rex's wife Delia to sing for his band. Cousin knows that Rex doesn't want her to work anymore. Johnny, at a party celebrating Aurelius and Delia's first wedding anniversary, manipulates Rex, Delia, and Rex's road manager Cass (Keith Mitchell) to make it look like Cass is irresponsible and having an affair with Delia.
This movie was part of the 2026 Noir City DC film festival at the AFI Silver Theater. None of the three showings worked with my schedule so I watched it at home on Tubi. I had not seen it before. In retrospect I really wish I had seen this at the theatre.
The story is a modern retelling of Othello with Johnny taking the place of Iago, Aurelius taking the place of Othello, and Delia taking the place of Desdemona. It doesn't end quite as tragically as the play did but it does not have an upbeat ending.
There were several musical numbers in this film. Most of them were just instrumental. Charles Mingus and Dave Brubeck were among the musicians who performed in this film.
This is dark. The whole way it is clear what is going on. It is clear what Johnny is up to although it is questionable if it will lead to the result he seeks.
Notes
I've seen Partrick McGoohan in a couple other movies but none in recent years. I associate him most with The Prisoner TV show which I watched several years before I started this blog. Betsy Blair played the part of Emily, Johnny's young wife. I've seen Paul Harris in a couple other movies but none in which he had as prominent a role as he did in this one. Richard Attenborough was also in this film.
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