NFR Project: “Gilda”
Dir: Charles Vidor
Scr: Marion Parsonnet, Ben Hecht
Pho: Rudolph Mate
Ed: Charles Nelson
Premiere: April 25, 1946
110 min.
A peculiar film. It’s best known for its showcasing of the glory that was Rita Hayworth.
Gilda is the story of Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford), a gambler down and out in Buenos Aires, who is adopted as his casino/club boss by Ballin Mundson (George Macready), a stern and possibly insane figure. Mundson returns from a short trip with a new bride, Gilda (Hayworth), that he knew only a day before marrying.
Gilda and Johnny have history together, and both hate and desire each other passionately. Gilda seems to play around in order to drive Johnny crazy; he has her tailed. Mundson crosses some German businessmen, kills one of them. He departs in a plane which crashes into the ocean, faking his death.
Johnny immediately marries Gilda, then isolates her, driving her mad. The casino goes under. Mundson shows up, ready to kill Johnny and Gilda. Everyone is extremely wrought up by this time. The psychological games and withholding of affection dominate the narrative. The relationship between Johnny and Mundson has even been interpreted as gay, making it the most bizarre of love triangles. (Mundson wields a phallic sword-cane.)
During all this, Hayworth displays her aura of charm and excellent acting chops. She is incandescent. She sings a couple of numbers (actually it was Anita Ellis) and dances in the club; her performances are iconic. In particular, her rendition of “Put the Blame on Mame” in a strapless black evening gown captures her vitality and appeal.
The NFR is one writer’s attempt to review all the films listed in the National Film Registry in chronological order. Next time: It’s a Wonderful Life.
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