Who's That Knocking at My Door? 1968

In the midst of New York City’s vibrant streets, J.R. (character) resides as a quintessential Catholic Italian-American young man, surrounded by a tight-knit circle of friends with whom he indulges in revelry and camaraderie. As adulthood beckons, J.R.’s life takes a turn when he meets a captivating local girl on the Staten Island Ferry, sparking an unexpected desire to settle down and start a family. His devotion to her grows stronger as their bond deepens, leading him to make a conscience-driven decision to forgo intimacy, believing she remains untouched by the world.

However, his universe is shattered when his girlfriend shares the devastating truth that she was once victimized by a former partner’s brutality. Crushed and reeling from this revelation, J.R.’s initial response is to reject her, attempting to retreat back into his familiar routine of partying with friends. Yet, after an especially raucous night of revelry with his cohorts, the harsh reality of his actions sets in, and he finds himself inexplicably drawn back to his girlfriend’s apartment at dawn. With a mixture of awkwardness and sincerity, J.R. confesses that he forgives her and reaffirms his intention to marry her, despite the weight of her past.

His words fall on deaf ears as his girlfriend wisely cautions that their union would never truly flourish if her past continued to burden him so deeply. Incensed by her words, J.R.’s pent-up emotions boil over, and he callsously labels her a “whore” before swiftly recanting, acknowledging the turmoil that has beset him. His girlfriend, sensing his emotional turmoil, urges him to leave, and J.R. returns to the solace of the Catholic church, only to find no peace in its hallowed halls.