The Lady from Shanghai (1947)

Fascinated by gorgeous Mrs. Bannister, seaman Michael O'Hara joins a bizarre yachting cruise, and ends up mired in a complex murder plot.

Director:

Orson Welles (uncredited)

Writers:

Sherwood King (story based on a novel by), Orson Welles (screenplay)

Stars:

Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, Everett Sloane

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rita Hayworth	...	Elsa Bannister
Orson Welles	...	Michael O'Hara
Everett Sloane	...	Arthur Bannister
Glenn Anders	...	George Grisby
Ted de Corsia	...	Sidney Broome (as Ted De Corsia)
Erskine Sanford	...	Judge
Gus Schilling	...	Goldie
Carl Frank	...	District Attorney Galloway
Louis Merrill	...	Jake Bjornsen
Evelyn Ellis	...	Bessie
Harry Shannon	...	Cab Driver

Storyline

Michael O'Hara, against his better judgement, hires on as a crew member of Arthur Bannister's yacht, sailing to San Francisco. They pick up Grisby, Bannister's law partner, en route. Bannister has a wife, Elsa, who seems to like Michael much better than she likes her husband. After they dock in Sausalito, Michael goes along with Grisby's weird plan to fake his (Grisby's) murder so he can disappear untailed. He wants the $5000 Grisby has offered, so he can run off with Elsa. But Grisby turns up actually murdered, and Michael gets blamed for it. Somebody set him up, but it is not clear who or how. Bannister (the actual murderer?) defends Michael in court.

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Plot Keywords:

hall of mirrors | shanghai china | national film registry | taxi | blonde woman | 

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Taglines:

"Do all rich women play games like this?"

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Everett Sloane refused to wear the leg braces constructed for his character, complaining bitterly of the pain they caused. Sloane was reportedly impossible to deal with and shunned everyone on the set.

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Goofs

When George Grisby is on the pier and calls out to Michael and Elsa; he is leaning on a rail a few feet in front of the cafe entrance. But on the next cut; he is now holding one of the doors open.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Michael O'Hara: When I start out to make a fool of myself, there's very little can stop me. If I'd known where it would end, I'd never let anything start... if I'd been in my right mind, that is. But once I'd seen her, once I'd seen her, I was not in my right mind for quite some time.

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Crazy Credits

There is no director credit. Welles' main credit reads "Screen Play and Production Orson Welles."

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Remembers: Orson Welles

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Soundtracks

Amado Mio
(uncredited)
Written by Allan Roberts and Doris Fisher

User Reviews

Good film, Great ending

Okay, the chemistry between Welles and Hayworth was not great, and, to put an end to the "even though they were married" lines, they divorced two weeks after the release of the film. However, as a film-noir and a piece of Orson Welles' body of work, this film is top notch.

Its biggest flaw, besides Welles accent, is that the beginning of the movie is very slow. However, it is necessary for the ending to payoff. It's unfortunate that the current world is moving at light speed, and that movies are chastised for taking ample time to develop their world. A modern example of length being put to good use is The Count of Monte Cristo. Still, that film doesn't compare to "Shanghai".

Once the trial, which is often hilarious, begins, the movie reaches the heights of greatness. It all climaxes with a visually stunning ending in the mirror room of a fun house and a fantastic performance by Hayworth.

The film sticks with you.

Also recommended: The Third Man

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

14 April 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

If I Die Before I Wake

Filming Locations:

Playland at the Beach, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mercury Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 92 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1