In this movie, Paul Douglas as Brewster meets Van Johnson as Father Halligan, on a cross Atlantic boat to Italy. Brewster is an escapee from San Quentin although his friend Father Halligan knows nothing about this. When getting off the boat, he impersonates Halligan by stealing his clerical garb. Brewster makes friends with an Irish priest from Dublin who offers him accommodation at a religious residence in Rome. He thinks it is a perfect spot to elude the police. Despite himself, Brewster seems moved by his experience in Rome to the point where he becomes a changed man. There are some touching moments such as the boys choir singing Panis Angelicus and Brewster recalling his days as a choir boy. At another point he takes up the heavy cross of an elderly priest in a procession. Halligan noticed this and other signs of Brewster's good nature. Brewster decides to go to confession and obtain a plenary indulgence for his sins by visiting the four cathedrals in Rome. Paul Douglas fits this role perfectly. The ending is quite a surprise but in a way, it shows the underlying character of one human being whose life has changed. There is a lengthy chase scene towards the end and scenes of authentic processions from the 1950 Holy Year are spliced into the movie. The streets and backgrounds of Rome are beautifully highlighted. This is a very good movie with great on-location shooting and a wonderful performance by Paul Douglas.
Review of When in Rome
