BBC seeks stars of Belfast film noir

Film tells the story of 24 hours in the life of an IRA man on the run

BBC Northern Ireland is trying to find the stars of a film shot on the streets of Belfast 60 years.

Odd Man Out, which starred Hollywood great James Mason, is a classic piece of film noir.

The BBC is looking to track down the junior stars.

One actress, Maura Shields, played a young girl in the movie, but has lost touch with her fellow actors.

Belfast was the backdrop for the controversial 1947 film which picked up awards from Venice to Hollywood.

Odd Man Out tells the story of 24 hours in the life of an IRA man on the run.

The Crown Bar in the centre of Belfast has long been associated with the movie, although in fact, contrary to popular opinion, it was not actually used in the filming.

Instead a copy was made on set in England. It shows all the familiar ornate features of the real thing, but was more spacious and laid out in a different way.

The boys who had roles in the film were from St Patrick's Boys' home

The star of the film, an IRA man on the run played by James Mason, takes refuge in the pub, which in Odd Man Out is called the "Four Winds".

For many years, the pub which is owned and preserved by the National Trust, has traded on the link, and tourists often visit to see it for themselves.

The film also starred Kathleen Ryan, Robert Newton and Robert Beatty.

The BBC is keen to find those actors who played the gang of street urchins, who provided some of the most colourful moments in the film.

They goad the police over their failure to catch IRA man Johnny McQueen.

The boys who had roles in the film were from St Patrick's Boys' home in west Belfast where many of the scenes were filmed.

The Crown Bar has long been associated with the movie

The children were enlisted by one of Belfast's most loved actors, Joseph Tomelty, who played the cabbie 'Gin' Jimmie.

One of the child stars who was tracked down, was Maura Shields, formerly Maura Milligan.

She remembers her costume with horror.

"That will stay forever in my mind because I had to wear total rags. They were horrible, absolutely horrible," she said.

"I cried because I couldn't believe I had to wear these dirty rags."

Despite her early film role Maura never acted again and still lives in west Belfast.

If you were one of the boys who took part in the film, or if you know them, if you are related to them or if you remember the production being filmed, BBC Newsline, BBC Radio Ulster and News Online want to hear from you.

You can contact the programmes by texting the letters OMO and your message to 81771, by emailing [e-mail], or by calling 0870 4111630.