Una aventura en Roma

So fate puts two men together on an ocean voyage; Father Halligan, a man of the cloth with good intentions, and Joe Brewster, with less than an honorable past. Van Johnson was in his prime here, and could play just about anything. Paul Douglas is Brewster, and usually played the thug, due to his appearance. Brewster takes the priest's clothes and his identity, and makes a run for it when the boat docks in Roma. There are some funny lines… at dinner on the cruise, the passengers have a good sense of humor, and tell some clever jokes, but for the most part, it's a pretty serious suspense drama. Also some beautiful scenery of Rome, as we travel around. 1950 had actually been a holy year in the Catholic church, so Buckner, the writer, used that as a basis for the story. What better theme to include the battle of right and wrong than a story based on a priest? We hear over and over again how Father Halligan is trying to decide if he should turn in Brewster. Lots of jokes about safe-crackers and what it was like in Sing Sing. Pretty good story, if you buy in and go along for the ride. We see all the beautiful, old historic landmarks of Rome, and have an adventure along the way. Directed by Clarence Brown, who had directed so many Garbo films, and was nominated for SIX Oscars! Shows on Turner Classics now and then. Kind of a "feel good" story, but not real meaty.

I was drawn to the film by TCM's summary and by the presence of two estimable actors. Van Johnson and Paul Douglas never quite made Hollywood's A-list but for my money they are two very accomplished practitioners of the thespian art.

Johnson, as Father Halloran, shares a ship cabin with Joe Brewster (Douglas) who, unbeknownst to Halloran, is on the lam from San Quentin. Halloran is on his way to Rome for Holy Year, and his and Brewster's paths become intertwined.

The movie seems to want to be a lighthearted comedy but in the end becomes quite touching, as Halloran becomes Brewster's confessor. The script is excellent and the action moves along well.

In addition the movie is a wonderful travelogue of pre-Vatican II Rome, in stunning black and white. And to a dinosaur like myself it is bittersweet to watch a movie from a time when religious devotion was respected and taken seriously. Today anti-Catholicism is, as some wag commented, "the last respectable bigotry of the intelligentsia."

Be sure not to miss this overlooked little gem.

This is not a great movie, something you would study in a film class. But it is, at its best, a thoroughly enjoyable movie. As I watched it I kept thinking that it could not be made today, because Hollywood no longer seems to know how to make such movies without making them excessively sentimental and siroppy.

For me, the best part was the end - which, of course, I will not spoil for you. Suffice it to say that I could not see it coming, because I kept imagining something warm and fuzzy. Instead, we get something that is very honestly moving. Not a feel-good ending, but one that makes you feel not just good but better.

Filmed on location in Rome, Paul Douglas and Van Johnson starred in this heartwarming comedy about two different men who form an unlikely friendship. Chances are you've never heard of When in Rome, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this forgotten gem. If you're a fan of either lead, or if you like buddy comedies or bittersweet stories, you'll absolutely love this movie.

Van Johnson plays a priest, traveling to Rome for a holy pilgrimage. Paul Douglas plays a criminal, on the run from the American police. When Paul switches their clothes and pretends to be a priest himself, a delightful and meaningful adventure ensues. Tons of great scenery is present throughout the movie, and it feels sometimes like you've taken a vacation (albeit in black-and-white) with them.

Paul is his usual adorable softie in this movie, and it's not hard to believe he could have had a different outcome if he's had different breaks when his character was younger. He's really not a bad guy; he's just made bad choices. I love Paul Douglas, and because of his tragically short career, it's important to treasure the movies he did make. I'm not usually a fan of Van Johnson, though, which is why I surprised myself by how much I liked him in this movie. He was very believable in his character, and he really warmed up to Paul. This is a short movie, but it feels like you really get to know these men and spend some time with them. If you haven't seen this movie yet, it's time you joined those of us who have. After all, when in Rome...

When In Rome finds Father Van Johnson on a pilgrimage to Rome during the declared Holy Year of 1950 when Catholic priests from all over the world will be heading to Rome as Moslems do to Mecca once in a lifetime. It's somebody's good or ill fortune depending on your point of view that pairs conman Paul Douglas with Johnson on the ocean liner going to Italy.

Before docking in Genoa, Douglas steals Johnson's priestly garments and identity because the Italian police are waiting for him. Now in this day and age a telex would have been sent with a picture and Douglas couldn't have done what he did. I'm not sure why even in the primitive international communications of 1950 that a photograph of convict Douglas wasn't sent to the Italian cops. Still they don't and before Douglas can shed the priestly attire, he's caught up in the identity.

Douglas is an escapee from San Quentin, no easy task and that escape will put years on his sentence. And Johnson is rather reluctant to help the Italian police.

Van's a priest in the tradition of G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown, more concerned with Douglas's standing before God as the Roman Catholic church teaches it than for any of man's temporal justice. The film plays like Father Brown going after master crook Flambeau which would come out in fact a couple of years after When In Rome.

Some newsreel shots of the Holy Year in Rome give us the Roman identification and the film was obviously done in black and white to blend those in. If you're a fan of G.K. Chesterton you will absolutely love this film.

Who triumphs, God's justice or man's law? In a way a little bit of both.