Rent The Lady from Shanghai (1947)

Classic noir. - The Lady from Shanghai review by Steve

Another Orson Welles production that ran into problems because the studio didn't know what the hell he was doing. It's hard to understand their concerns. He transforms unremarkable pulp fiction with his wit and sensational visual imagination. And he contributes as the loquacious fall guy, calamitously beguiled by Rita Hayworth's luminous femme fatale.

The only real lull is the period when the film runs through the twisty plot of the source novel. Hayworth had her trademark red hair cut and bleached,  also to the studio's dismay. She is breathtaking in close up, particularly singing Please Don't Kiss Me, and is subdued and enigmatic to great effect.

The dizzy, disorientating expressionist finale in an amusement park, including the shoot out in the Hall of Mirrors is cinema legend, peaking with its brilliant, sardonic last line: 'Killing you is like killing myself. It's the same thing. But, you know, I'm pretty tired of both of us'. 

The script is darkly poetic, full of contrary philosophy, and often very funny. The curiously grotesque support performances are fascinating. Its location shoot in Acapulco, New York and San Francisco brings local colour. Welles and Hayworth had just divorced, but share a powerful on screen chemistry. The critics didn't think much of it, but now this looks like classic noir.

A spider's web for all - The Lady from Shanghai review by MM

Brilliant performances from all the lead actors. Rita Hayworth is a true natural as the femme fatale. A clever and captivating film from a bygone era.

Superb, Well-Written 1947 Film with a Twisty Script, Interesting Characters, Great Cast & Locations - The Lady from Shanghai review by PV

I loved this. Great locations; wonderful characters; superb twisty script; great cast; brilliant direction and sets - especially a wonderful manhouse scene at an amusement park.

I do not usually like 'noir', but this is way more than the usual sort of film.