The film""s title ""Black Narcissus"" (although with many other allusions) referred directly to an expensive, imported brand of pungent cologne from London, that was favored by the Young General character.They were disappointed, and old him how their mother had already bought them scarier latex Silver Shamrock masks - the skeletal skull and the green-faced witch varieties.Ethan""s hardness and guarded, mysterious background reflect his inability o accept or understand society, or to embrace family life for himself.There were no Academy Award nominations for this quintessential film noir - although it was heavily praised as one of the best examples of the film noir era.