Orson Welles and The Lady From Shanghai - San Francisco 1947

⭐️The Lady From Shanghai (1947) is a surreal, strange and beautiful classic film noir. It's location of San Francisco, filmed by Welles in beautiful but menacing black and white.
Like many of his other studio films, Orson Welles lost creative control of the final edit and scoring of this film. So, what we see is not his fully realized vision of the story. But, what we do get is one of the most beautiful films in the genre.
The Lady from Shanghai was an ambitious and experimental film that gave Orson Welles his only role as a traditional romantic lead, it also costarred his then wife Rita Hayworth in a meaty against type femme fatale role.
The story takes us from New York City filmed on sets and backlots, to Mexico, and then finally San Francisco. Orson Welles films these locations in ways only Orson Welles can.
********************************************************************************************
If you're interested in the films and books mentioned in this video I've listed where you can find them in the links below.
If you buy something through my links I may get a small share of the sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Lady From Shanghai (1947) Blu-Ray: amzn.to/3EoccDH
This Is Orson Welles by Orson Welles and Peter Bogdanovich (paperback): amzn.to/3JYOTkS
*********************************************************************************************
Hey Guys!
subscribe to the free cinema cities newsletter
📰screenspectato...?sd=pf
/ cinemacities
If you're loving these videos consider supporting the channel at:
☕️www.buymeacoff...
⭐️ patreon.com/CinemaCities
🎵Like the music? Find my playlist with the music I've used here:
share.epidemic...
And, if you sign up to Epidemic Sound through the playlist link, you'll get 1 month for free!
I hang out on Twitter so come on over and say hi!
😀Twitter: / cities1978​
✉️Email: [e-mail]
Disclosure: This video description may contain affiliate links and referral codes, which means I may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or sign-ups made through my links. I am a participant in multiple affiliate and referral programs, including Amazon and Epidemic Sound.

[@CinemaCities1978]

The Lady From Shanghai is one of the most bizarre and beautiful film noirs you'll ever see.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

A fine analysis. OT: If you haven't seen them I suggest KLUTE and ROADHOUSE. Jane Fonda is great in the first, and Ida Lupino and Celeste Holm play two very different kinds of women in the latter. (I wouldn't pester you with all these suggestions but your Twitter link leads to the Twilight Zone.)

[@CinemaCities1978]

@@JohnInTheShelter I love Jane and KLUTE. I'm a big Donald Sutherland fan and I will sing his praises until the end of time. He's definitely one of our most underrated actors. Now, I have not seen ROADHOUSE and I may just try to watch that tonight! I love the twilight zone so I'm going to take that as a compliment 😂 PUSH PUSH PUSH. . .

[@JohnInTheShelter]

@@CinemaCities1978 Oh, absolutely. My box of the complete TZ is one of my most cherished possessions. But your twitter link is broken...unless it's only broken for me...🤕 A year or two back I said Donald Sutherland should get one of those honorary Oscars/Lifetime Achievement awards from the Academy. He works so much that people take it for granted how good he is.

[@CinemaCities1978]

@@JohnInTheShelter I just saw him is that Netflix film Mr. Harrigan's Phone. He's still got it at age 87. I checked the twitter link at it was working for me. . .but I'll post i the community section as a post.

[@richardsiciliano7117]

Lady From Shanghai is the black sheep member of the Orson films family. It's really not that good, but man, you can't take your eyes off of it. Just so beautifully shot, and I LOVE Rita with the short hair. A definite guilty pleasure type film.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I can not stand Orson's accent and the story is pretty silly. But, you are right, it's so visually stunning that you don't care about any of that. I love Rita's performance ,her hair and her entire energy is this film.

[@richardsiciliano7117]

@@CinemaCities1978 Ah yes, Orson's accent. Not sure why a man with a voice like Orson's would want to do a weird Irish accent, but it only adds to the weirdness of the film. Truthfully, I think the film was really much more autobiographical than we think. I believe Orson was really telling Hollywood to screw off in this movie. The lawyer character was a spoof of Harry Cohen, we have the obvious Orson/Rita connection as their relationship was falling apart, and we see Orson leaving "Playland" and heading towards the ocean at the very end, kind of how Orson bolted to Europe to make films after this. Just my opinion, but I think it's an interesting view.

[@dk60ish]

Stage actor Glenn Anders mesmerized as Grisby with his crazy eyes, amazing that he only did about 10 films, because he could've easily been an in-demand film character actor.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

Though filmed for a studio, using studio equipment and resources, LFS has the energy of Welles' independent movies of the time--the tricks and Gothicism of his MACBETH and OTHELLO, the cutting, playing with framing, etc really energize this. Everyone wishes we could get the uncut AMBERSONS, but LFS was supposedly cut by an HOUR--THAT is the 'lost Welles' I wanna see. Welles HATED the score written for this, and I absolutely agree. The music bludgeons every scene, especially the shootout in the Hall of Mirrors scene. Welles tried to get the score thrown out but failed. Imagine this with a Bernard Herrmann score.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I'm with Orson about the score! That theme they use for Elsa, ugh...take it away. I too wish this had a Hermann score. You're right, the hall of mirrors scene with a classic Hermann score would've been perfection. Maybe that lost hour is hiding somewhere in the Columbia vaults. Has anyone even made any effort to look for it since Ambersons gets all the attention. There's even a documentary coming out about the search for the lost Ambersons footage.

[@numbersix8919]

I'll never forget how this movie made me feel when I watched it. Even if can't recall anything else about it. There's something extra special about Orson Wells.

[@bookmouse2719]

Orson Wells was the best Mr. Rochester I ever saw. Loved that Jane Eyre.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I agree. That's my favorite version of Jane Eyre!

[@diego-search]

The Fun House at Playland at the Beach is fondly remembered by those of us who went there, until it was torn down in the early 70's. The Hall of Mirrors, The Wheel of Joy,( that you couldn't stay on when it started spinning) were the many fun attractions that were used to a much different effect in the final scenes.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Wow! I would've loved a day at Playland. One of the many reasons I love focussing on locations in cinema is that the films that do it right offer so many wonderfully glimpses at lost America.

[@maureentuohy8672]

I actually love “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

[@MK-hh1vo]

Me too! I always wondered how much better it would be if Wells was able to finish it his way. That was a heck of a story!

[@Kjt853]

I’m convinced that had Welles been able to finish “The Magnificent Ambersons” as he’d planned to, it would have surpassed “Citizen Kane” - and that’s saying something!

[@blipio2000]

I might've already seen this, but I definitely gotta watch it now

[@glennsepulveda4856]

Orson was a handsome man in his youth!..The Orson I knew growing up, was fat and aged, thanks to the internet and media platforms like you tube..We are able to appreciate and bring to light the genius that he was!..❤

[@paulamiles9559]

You've selected another favorite of mine. I always had a crush on Mr Wells, and I love any movie he directs or acts in. He really loved Rita, and he really threw his talent and his gifts for dark themes into this noir classic. Thanx for covering.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I have also always had a crush on Mr. Welles. I think his direction on this film pulls from Rita one of her best performances .

[@frankb821]

Masterpiece. The centerpiece of my noir bluray collection

[@JeffreyGlover65]

I absolutely love this movie.

[@TheSpiderUndertaker]

Only two words are needed to describe such an astonishing movie: Orson Welles. 'Nuff said

[@1feloniouspunk]

Breathtaking movie, breathtaking vid!

[@CinemaCities1978]

thank you!

[@kirksworks]

You were right on the money about this film. Amazing to look at, remarkable atmosphere, filled with many surprises, and at the same time much of it confusing and sort of a mess. But I love it and consider it a must see Orson Welles film. I lived in San Francisco for many years and I agree that it is portrayed as a dark and haunting place. I’ve also felt that about the city. Tourists love it with its hills and cable cars, but living there is another story. Its dark side is camouflaged by its beauty. I was just there a week ago and it’s even worse now. Welles was one of the greats, the way he transformed Venice, CA into a seedy Mexican border town is flawless. I worked in Venice for a year so know the place well. Welles, it seems, could see things about a place that few can. Note how beautiful; and dreamy he portrayed Mexico in Shanghai. And yes, Rita Hayworth with blonde hair never looked better. Thank you Orson.

[@melaniepalker9998]

This was a most excellent film thank you for the recommendation 🎉❤

[@CinemaCities1978]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@haroldellis9721]

When my Mom went to Playland, back in the day, she visited the Fun House. I get why they no longer have it, but I wish they did.

[@MoreMovies4u]

Another great video! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks CC!

[@CinemaCities1978]

Thanks so much for watching!!! I appreciate all the love you give my channel!

[@MoreMovies4u]

@@CinemaCities1978 No problemo! Keep up the good work!

[@simonwoodford8728]

This ranks as one of my favourite Welles movies. Welles was reportedly crushed by Cohen's boys chopping out much of what he had filmed in the fun house but Cohen famously claimed that the original cut of movie ran 37 minutes too long. When asked about the precision of this claim he retorted that this was when his arse went numb! If you like this one its worth seeking out his 1955 "Confidential Report" movie which also features a complicated story shot in a similar vein to "The Lady from Shanghai" but, again, having the editing taken out of Welles hands and this leaves a feeling that it could have been even better,

[@CinemaCities1978]

I have seen Confidential Report. I feel for Welles; he always lost creative control at the end of his projects. So even though all the parts were there to execute his vision, it always fell short.

[@lindamattioli7943]

Excellent as always

[@CinemaCities1978]

thank you!!

[@lisaburns4131]

I love the lady from Shanghai the mirrors scene at the end is great,

[@CinemaCities1978]

The mirror scene is so iconic. I can't imagine what movie goers in 1947 thought on first seeing it.

[@alejoparedes2388]

I watched this movie many years ago and hated it. But there are parts I've never forgotten and I'd like to revisit it. Definitely a unique film. Thanks for the video.

[@deadalready7467]

I look forward to seeing each one of these videos. After each one I scurry off to research what I just watched. TY for posting.

[@CinemaCities1978]

That's so cool. If you find anything interesting please come back and let me know!

[@mrkurtlovesmovies]

I am a big fan of this admittedly imperfect film. Enjoyed revisiting it here in your video.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Whenever I watch one of Orson's movies I always have to think, "What if?" That is definitely the case with this one.

[@Superior_Productions]

It may not be his best film in the technical sense, and his Irish accent is a little odd, but for some reason I just keep coming back to it (more than his others). Its my favorite film of his because of this. There's something elusive about it that draws me in and always seems to leave me wanting more, in the best possible way. Also, Rita Hayworth has never looked better than she does in this film, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I know a lot of people hate Rita's hair in this, but I'm with you. I love it. I think she looks amazing.

[@dbarker7794]

Never could get into this movie even though I'm a big fan of Welles. Maybe time to try again.

[@CinemaCities1978]

If you can get past the pretty awful accent he uses, it's worth it for Hayworth's performance and the cinematography.

[@MatthewDLDavidson]

Thanks for discussing this great, flawed masterpiece, one of three or so movies Welles made worthy of his phenomenal talents. Great, grotesque characters, a chase scene that takes place in a Chinese opera (who else could have thought of that?), a bizarre surreal court scene, followed by the extraordinary hall of mirrors sequence. Who cares if it wasn’t exactly as he wanted? There is so much raw energy and directorial genius in there that it whizzes by even after multiple viewings. The dialogue is better than most other movies, along with unforeseeable plot twists. Not bad for a young orphan who grew up in rural Illinois, and got his start in radio. I’m not sure I believe his story about how it came to be made. Welles was in the business of creating his own mythology as well as directing near masterpieces. Peter Bogdanovich once reported that he said to Welles, “Isn’t it tragic that Greta Garbo was in only two great films?” Welles responded, sotto voce, “…you know…you only need one…” 😊

[@marionmarino1616]

Great stuff! I LOVE that movie.

[@binglamb2176]

Call me weird but I love this film (I love all of Welles' films) and watch it every time I encounter it.

[@stevemcnary7963]

Definitely one of my favorite Film noirs. It reminds me of The Big Sleep in terms of trying to figure out the movie. Don't try to just enjoy it. Rita never looked sexier than in this movie. Orson should've just been an American sailor without the bad accent. Bogart or Mitchum would have been perfect instead of Orson.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

A crime that once again the final cut was not Welles' How this man persevered is a miracle.

[@CinemaCities1978]

He had his artistic vision undercut almost every single time. i can't even imagine the frustration.

[@alexkalish8288]

Orson was an artist and this film is one of the top 3 cinema Noirs, do you agree ?? That said, the film of the same name by Chaplin is a masterpiece. Perfect acting and a beautiful story with heart. Rita used to go dancing in LA with my father, around this time ... I saw her a couple times in the 50's but she was living in France. I never met Wells but have a picture of my mother and him on the lawn of what is now Kodak theater. In the 50's Orson Wells owned all of the Big Sur, the FBI and gang went after him with a vengeance so he lost everything and had to flee the country.. .

[@hydromusic6257]

orson welles babygirl let's GOOOOO

[@hlw8516]

That mas was a genius!

[@CinemaCities1978]

Definitely!

[@johngraves6878]

Oops, they didn't "dock in Sausalito" where Grisby made his grizzly proposal. That was in Mexico -- Acapulco to the best of my recollection. I wouldn't exactly call the plot "convoluted", because it is easy to follow and quite linear, although some of the fundamentals of the plot are rather cryptic and irrational, deliciously so. Lady from Shanghai is my favorite Welles film -- above all, a wild, wild character study inside a love triangle.

[@c.a.savage5689]

Huge Orson Welles fan here but the first time I saw/ heard Welles speak in this film, the Irish accent just killed it for me. Why oh why did he do that? Yes, it's beautifully filmed but the more I watch his films (with the passage of time) the more I think he should have been the film's art director or cinematographer than a director.

[@Whippets]

Let Welles be Welles ... his life is a cautionary tale of when the mediocre interferes with the genius.

[@harpgal9950]

Interesting movie, but I really disliked Rita's short blonde hair. The fun house mirror scene was great.

[@CinemaCities1978]

for me its Orson's accent that's 👎🏽

[@Gertyutz]

I saw "Lady" a few years ago, and couldn't follow the plot at all. I remember only the hall of mirrors.

[@larry1824]

Orson's my hero but his accent here waivers and to be honest I only watch it for hall.of mirrors thing

[@CinemaCities1978]

He made a choice with that accent and it's not my favorite. The hall of mirrors and the shots of late 40s San Francisco are my favorite parts of the film.

[@canalesworks1247]

This is my favorite film noir for a number of reasons. 1. Rita Hayworth is my favorite actress from that period. She's just as gorgeous in this as a blond as in her more traditional red hair. 2. Orson Welles puts out visual masterpieces every time he directs. 3. The hall of mirros shoot out is the greatest film noir moment in the genre. I actually love the plot. As you point out most film noir plots are convoluted. Try for example explaning Gilda to someone. That's a mess, and unlike Lady From Shangai it has a very weak Deus Ex Machina ending. This is without a doubt Rita Hayworth's greatest moment as an actress. She's finally given a character worthy of her talents.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I agree with you100%. This is Rita Hayworth's best performance.

[@c.a.savage5689]

Still not a patch on Carol Reed's "The Third Man". GOAT

[@tomripsin730]

I always loved the story of how Harry Cohn, after viewing this movie, offered something like $2000. to anyone who could tell him what it was about.

[@CinemaCities1978]

😂

[@dbarker7794]

Similar story with The Big Sleep (or Maltese Falcon, can't recall). William Faulkner, who worked on the screenplay, later said he had no idea what was going on in the story.

[@edramirez1240]

I’m not a great fan of this fan of this movie, but I do enjoy watching it. However, Well’s Irish accent is so annoying that I get distracted. It’s the same when he used the fake nose in “Touch of Evil”.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I agree his accent is just too much 😂

[@edramirez1240]

@Cinema Cities It’s just lawful.

[@c.a.savage5689]

I agree with you, but the film has soooooooo many superlative camera angles, lighting, Marlena D. as the aging love interest/ gypsy, the nose didn't bother me. The opening scene alone should have gotten an award.

[@edramirez1240]

@@c.a.savage5689 I saw the restored version of the movie and it is simply great! But I don’t believe Orson needed to add the prosthetic for the role. I just found it weird.

[@c.a.savage5689]

@@edramirez1240 I would love to see the restored version!! Welles is so obese and ugly that his nose is the least of it. Or perhaps I've just seen it too often to be distracted by it.

[@drnoir33]

Just say you're having a little taaaarget practice.

[@CinemaCities1978]

that line and the way Arthur Bannister says "lovverrr" get me everytime

[@drnoir33]

@@CinemaCities1978 Don't get me started on Welles' Irish accent. ;) Incidentally, Ted DeCorsia plays my maternal grandfather Samuel Kohn, a Philly cop from 1931 to 1953, in the film noir version of my life.

[@dornravlin]

I just discovered your channel subscribe d

[@mesolithicman164]

The visuals are excellent, Hayworth never looked better and the plot idea is intriguing. But there are problems. Welles's Irish accent is terrible, his character's naivety is astonishing, the writing and plot machinations are not clear and the guy going around on the walking sticks is much too gimmicky for a 'gritty' noir. There is a large slice of theatrical ham that afflicts most of the characters, with the exception of Ms H. I find this is a recurring problem with Welles' films, the theatricality that creeps in undermines the reality he tries to create. I guess, unintentionally, the result is a kind of a post modern collage of the noir style and film in general. That said, I still consider a Welles movie a cinematic experience in the same way a Hichcock movie is.