Rent Gilda (1946)

Psychological Noir. - Gilda review by Steve

This is called film noir but it's hardly a crime film- except for a death related to a subplot about post-WWII fascists in Argentina. The main story is a romantic melodrama, though its visual art and dense, pessimistic dialogue is very noir. As are its fascinating, emotionally diseased heroes played by Glenn Ford and the unforgettable Rita Hayworth as Gilda.

Their introductions are beguiling: Ford throwing his crooked dice into the gaze of the camera, fringe swinging over his glowing, saturnine face; Hayworth tossing her hair, rising up into the frame from the bed ('Are you decent Gilda? Who, me?'). They have torn each other apart before the film even starts, only for Ford's new boss to unwittingly bring her back as his wife.

Ford is superb, as an ambitious gambler who makes his own luck. But Rita is a sensation as the sexy, epigrammatic, superstitious Gilda. Her look become a model of '40s Hollywood glamour. Her delivery of the fatalistic dialogue is sublime, Plus the two musical numbers, Amado Mio, and Put the Blame On Mame, where her legendary strip damn near stops the film.

She actually just takes her gloves off! There's fine support from George Macready as the dangerous casino owner/Gilda's husband, with plans for a second act for the Nazis. The portrait of a malignant sexual pathology is overwhelming. Gilda says it best: 'I hate you so much I would destroy myself to take you down with me'. 

Rita Hayworth - Wow - Gilda review by EC

I am so glad that Cinema Paradiso exists. Members can enjoy films from different eras and it good to be reminded of screen magnets like Rita Hayworth. I don't honestly think that overall this film is great but it is absolutely carried by the extremely glamourous Rita Hayworth. A true star!

Melodrama Thriller Love Story Vehicle for Rita Hayworth set in Argentina in 1946 - Gilda review by PV

I thought this film was 1950s so surprised find it is from 1946. It has dated well really. It's a romantic melodrama with a thriller plots too, so ticks a lot of boxes.

It's really a vehicle for Rita Hayworth who does not sing her or ever, she was dubbed. The song PUT THE BLAME ON MAME was written for this film. Hayworth is forgotten now, but it is easy to see why she was a pin-up for many GIs!

Filmed in Hollywood no doubt, standing in for Argentina. Snappy dialogue of the time, 'wise guy' lines and some funny characters too. Well-written by some of the best screenwriters of the time. Some great dialogue, romantic, love-hate lines, very sultry sex symbol Rita Hayworth lines in this!

The casino owner is placed by George Macready, American actor doing an accent; his facial scar acquired in a car crash meant he played a lot of these sorts of roles in his career.

Surprisingly, despite this being made just after WWII and set in Argentina, with German characters, there is no mention of the war or Nazis, no ratline fleeing SS plot at all, not even any mention that the very hard metal tungsten (wolfram; W on periodic table) is used a lot in missiles, at the pointy end! Tungsten is unique amongst the elements in that it has been the subject of patent proceedings. In 1928, a US court rejected General Electric's attempt to patent it, overturning their U.S. patent.

This stands up well for a movie that is almost 80 years old! Worth a watch.