Macushla (film)

Macushla is a 1950 British drama film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and starring Margaret Lockwood, Attilia Gallas, and Liam Redmond. The film is also known under the alternative title The Strange Door.

The plot revolves around an Irish peasant woman, played by Margaret Lockwood, who is falsely accused of murder and subsequently flees to Dublin to escape the gallows. She changes her identity and finds refuge with a traveling theatre troupe. Complicating matters is a sinister figure from her past who continues to pursue her.

Macushla is noted for its atmospheric visuals and the performance of Margaret Lockwood in a role that diverges from her usual portrayals. The film's title, derived from the Gaelic phrase "Mo chuisle," meaning "my pulse" or "my darling," hints at the romantic and emotional undercurrents of the narrative. The film, while not a major box office success, has garnered attention for its unique blending of melodrama, suspense, and Irish folklore elements.