The Lady from Shanghai. Orson Welles directed and starred in this spellbinding 1947 film that also stars beautiful femme fatale Rita Hayworth. Hired to work on a yacht belonging to Haywood's husband, a wealthy though crippled attorney, Welles is drawn into a web of intrigue and murder. The climax is one of the greatest scenes in film history. 88 minutes. CC.
Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth were married at the time of this production and Welles insisted that Hayworth's beautiful red hair be cut and turned platinum blonde. Nevertheless, she gives one of her best performances. Welles plays an itinerant seaman with a touch of Irish brogue, and Everett Sloane is excellent. as the devious and menacing attorney.
Eddie Muller's intro covers all the details of how this film, a seeming mess, has become a classic.
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| Orson Welles and Ruta Hayworth |
