The Boy with Green Hair

The Boy with Green Hair
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoseph Losey
Screenplay byBen Barzman
Alfred Lewis Levitt
Based on"The Boy with Green Hair"
1946 story in This Week
by Betzi Beaton
Produced byDore Schary
Adrian Scott
StarringPat O'Brien
Robert Ryan
Barbara Hale
Dean Stockwell
Richard Lyon
CinematographyGeorge Barnes
Edited byFrank Doyle
Music byLeigh Harline
Constantin Bakaleinikoff
Production
company
RKO
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • November 27, 1948 (1948-11-27) (U.S.)
Running time
82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$900,000 or $800,000

The Boy with Green Hair is a 1948 American fantasy drama film directed by Joseph Losey in his feature film directorial debut, from a screenplay by Ben Barzman and Alfred Lewis Levitt. Based on a 1946 short story by Betzi Beaton, the film stars Dean Stockwell as Peter Fry, a young war orphan who is subject to ridicule after his hair mysteriously turns green. The cast also features Pat O'Brien, Robert Ryan, and Barbara Hale.

After a production fraught with several clashes between Losey and RKO Pictures head Howard Hughes, The Boy with Green Hair was released on November 27, 1948. It was a financial disappointment but was well-received by critics. The theme song, "Nature Boy" by eden ahbez, also proved a hit.