Review: The Lady from Shanghai
Blu-ray and DVD: The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
Irish seaman Michael O’Hara (Orson Welles) bumps into the beautiful Elsa Bannister (Rita Hayworth) and saves her from some muggers. They share a sexually charged carriage ride, and Elsa offers O’Hara a job on her yacht. He refuses when he finds out she’s married to a criminal lawyer. Strangely her husband Arthur (Everett Sloane) persuades OβHara to take the job. O’Hara knows something isnβt right about the whole thing, decides to risk it and heads along on the couple’s cruise.
There are many stories associated with this film, about Welles and Hayworthβs marriage, his infidelity, her insecurity, his βgeniusβ… then there are stories of the studioβs involvement; the lack of money and the film being drastically cut. So to give this a βproperβ review would takeβ¦ an essay. So hereβs the skinny.
This is a film with one famously memorable scene, the hall of mirrors, and of course one of the most famous cinematic auteurs of cinema Orson Welles. His writing and direction is a huge plus BUT itβs not all roses and Oscars. The plot of this film is as thick and confusing as a malted shake, and the decision to make Welles’ character Irish, with one of the worst fake “Oirish begorragh” accents ever, is so distracting and huge pitfall for a film like this.
However the ominous sense of foreboding is palpable and watching O’Hara take cautious, but completely stupid steps towards his own downfall, led on by some slimy, twisted characters is psychological thriller at its best. Throw in a beautifully βvacantβ Hayworth and this is nearly a stone cold classic. Itβs a real departure for Hayworth, and despite me being a massive fan of hers (OMG βGILDAβ!) unfortunately for me she doesnβt really work and it smacks too much of βOh my God Iβve got to try really hard here because someone will realise Iβm a dancing film starβ and knowing the backstory of the film, its a little tragic to see her knowing she was trying to keep hold of her then husband (Welles).
It’s an odd film in so many ways, and doesnβt have the power of Welles’ superior noir, Touch of Evil, or the critics choice Citizen Kane.
Again the huge selling point of this film is the wonderful extras included on these Indicator releases (Powerhouse Films has released some amazing Noir titles lately, so make sure to check them out too).
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES:
β’ 4K restoration from the original nitrate negative
β’ Original mono audio
β’ Audio commentary with filmmaker and Welles expert Peter Bogdanovich
β’ Simon Callow on ‘The Lady from Shanghai’ (2017, 22 mins): a new filmed appreciation by the acclaimed actor and Welles scholar
β’ An Interview with Rita Hayworth (1970, 4 mins): an archival interview filmed for the French TV programme Pour le cinΓ©ma
β’ A Discussion with Peter Bogdanovich (2000, 21 mins): the renowned filmmaker and author talks about Welles and The Lady from Shanghai
β’ Joe Dante trailer commentary (2013, 3 mins): a short critical appreciation
β’ Original theatrical trailer
β’ Image gallery
β’ New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
β’ Limited edition exclusive 40-page booklet with a new essay by film critic Samm Deighan, a chapter from William Castleβs memoirs about the making of the film, and Wellesβ 9-page memo to Harry Cohn
β’ UK Blu-ray premiere
β’ Limited Dual Format Edition of 5,000 copies
Review by Tina (co-host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Powerhouse Films.