Macao (1952)

Director:

Josef von Sternberg

Writers:

Bernard C. Schoenfeld (screenplay) and
Stanley Rubin (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 April 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Film-Noir | Adventure

Tagline:

A sultry chanteuse, a hunk on the lam and a fortune in stolen gems.

Plot:

A sultry night club singer, a man who has also traveled to many exotic ports and a salesman meet aboard...

Plot Keywords:

Singer | Salesman | Club | Diamond Smuggler | Rickshaw

Cast

Robert Mitchum	...	Nick Cochran
Jane Russell	...	Julie Benson
William Bendix	...	Lawrence C. Trumble
Thomas Gomez	...	Lt. Sebastian
Gloria Grahame	...	Margie
Brad Dexter	...	Vincent Halloran
Edward Ashley	...	Martin Stewart
Philip Ahn	...	Itzumi
Vladimir Sokoloff	...	Kwan Sum Tang
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Everett Glass	...	Garcia (unconfirmed)

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Cantonese | Japanese

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (certificate #14783) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | Spain:T | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

Both Joyce Mackenzie and Jane Greer were considered for the part eventually played by Gloria Grahame, wife of uncredited co-director Nicholas Ray.

Quotes:

Nick Cochran: You know, you remind me of an old Egyptian girlfriend of mine. The Sphinx.
Margie: Are you partial to females made of stone?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Private Screenings: Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell" (1996)

Soundtrack:

You Kill Me

"You remind me of a girl nicknamed The Sphynx." ... "Are you partial to girls made out of stone?"

Cheeky, compact crime-drama in an exotic locale off the southern coast of China. Former Army Lieutenant Robert Mitchum, on the run from the law, winds up in the gambling and jewel-smuggling town of Macao without his wallet--seems pack-up-and-go lounge singer Jane Russell has fleeced him on the boat coming over from Hong Kong! Luckily, Mitchum becomes friendly with 'salesman' William Bendix, who is actually working to bring in the crime boss responsible for the death of an international police officer. Very tight and entertaining piece doesn't waste any time getting started. Some of the sloppy editing in the early stages fails to shape the scenes, but director Josef von Sternberg makes up for this with quick pacing and colorful asides. As for Russell, she's a stitch either working some very sarcastic dialogue or warbling seductive tunes down at the local gambling house. Gloria Grahame, as the boss's girl, wants Jane outta town fast--and it's easy to see why! *** from ****