Gilda (1946)

”If I’d have been a ranch, they’d have named me the ‘Bar Nothing.’” Gilda

Gilda is one of those movies that everyone who’s seen it has something to say about. A gritty film noir, it establishes a pair of worthless no-goods “Johnny Farrell” and “Ballin Mundson” (Glenn Ford and George Macready) as two of a kind, when millionaire Macready rescues Ford from a back alley mugging with his “little friend” a cane with a switchblade knife concealed within. Even though the two guys have never met before, there is a more than casual bond established between the two and Macready invites Ford (and his wad of cash) to his casino and, even though he is caught cheating, the two-fisted Ford becomes his understudy and quickly works his way into being Macready’s second-in-command. As if there were any doubt...

I might mention here that canes in film noir movie shorthand are meant to symbolize homosexual activity and doubly so since the hidden knife is also added to drive the point home. Of course, you can dismiss that since in 1946 the production code forbade any mention of such behavior, but nonetheless, several directors managed to sneak such innuendoes in, in such popular movies as The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep.

Once this fast friendship is cemented Macready has to make a sudden trip out of town (Buenos Aires), leaving Ford in charge, and returns with a “new” bride. Imagine Ford’s chagrin when he meets her and finds she is someone he was trying desperately to forget!

“Are you decent?” Macready asks, peeking into the bedroom, and S-W-I-S-H - she throws her hair back from her face and we have just witnessed the most famous scene in film history - rewind the movie and watch it again - this smiling and undeniably sexy countenance can only belong to Gilda. Ford’s shocked expression and the voiceover indicates the two of them have a “past.” Small world.

Gilda is, of course, Rita Hayworth, and, if there were ever a woman who could rightfully be called a “film goddess” it was she. There has really been no other woman who could ooze raw sexual appeal in the same careless manner as Rita Hayworth with the exception of Marilyn Monroe in her better performances and perhaps one or two others rose to the occasion once but Rita Hayworth was the expert and made it look s-o-o-o easy, so many times. This is her keynote performance.

The appearance of Gilda immediately puts a strain between the two fast friends, and of course their “knife.”

The story plays out - despite his millions, Macready wants to corner the market on tungsten and he has accepted mines and factories from Nazis who cannot own property, but want a puppet owner. Macready quickly realizes that they have no power to press any claims so he cuts them out. Meanwhile, Gilda and Farrell stew in their own juices… Mundson apparently kills himself in a plane crash and Ford and Hayworth marry. Ford’s motivation is to punish Gilda and he keeps her locked up like a bird in a cage. I’ll let you see the remainder for yourself.

A couple of song and dance numbers by Hayworth are incorporated into the story and they are unlike the hundreds of song and dance numbers you’ve probably seen. They are unbelievably hot, and Gilda is fully clothed but more sexy than most actresses naked. You have to see it to believe it. I’m sure people who saw this on the silver screen found steam rising from their collars. I know the small screen had that effect on me.

I think the biggest con with Gilda is the story, one of those standard foreign intrigue deals that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. “The Big Sleep” has a similarly convoluted plot if you’ve seen that - in other words, nobody understands what's going on, including the writers, but the performances are so dynamic nobody cares. What makes Gilda so special is just that, the fantastic performances by all the actors and especially Rita Hayworth who quite literally sets the screen on fire in her every appearance. With a performance like hers, the story doesn’t have to make sense - Gilda is the story.

Charles Vidor directed and Rudolph Maté laid down his gorgeous cinematography in shadowy black and white. Gilda has gained in stature throughout the years and today is recognized as a classic. Even with the not fully realized story, I have to give it my full five-star seal of approval.

Columbia has seen fit to release a restored version of Gilda on its DVD. The 110 minute movie is presented in lush black and white in 1.33:1 theatrical format. There is a featurette entitled “Rita Hayworth: The Columbia Lady” that details some of the highlights of her career, as well as vintage advertising posters, language choices, and subtitles included.

If you haven’t seen Gilda yet, you are in for a treat - what are you waiting for?

Thanks for stopping by!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening