Gilda (DVD, 2000)

It is said that this movie made Glenn Ford a star; it moved him to the "A" bracket of male stars. But it skyrocketed Rita Hayworth 3 times further. Her performance as the title character is well known especially to the male portion of the population even to this day. You can even see portions of it in recent movies such as "The Shawshank Redemption."

So what is this movie all about? Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford) arrives in Buenos Aires during WWII or right after. He becomes the 2nd in charge of a local casino, owned by Ballin Mundsen (George Macready). The two become good friends, and Mundsen even gives Farrell the combination to the safe before he leaves on a trip. It is when he returns that the movie takes a volcanic turn. Mundsen brings Farrell to his bedroom and asks "Are you decent?", and we men blow a gasket when Gilda, the new wife of Mundsen, tosses that famous head of hair in the air. She seductively says "Of course, I am decent." There is a hint of surprise in both Farrell's and Gilda's faces, and we get the idea that they know each other.

As the movie progresses, Gilda notoriously involves herself with other men, and Farrell is assigned by Mundsen to keep her straight. What an impossible job! And then in a subplot, Mundsen disappears because of a Nazi secret and is presumed dead. Farrell and Gilda marry so that they both have free use of the money left to her with him as executor and trustee. It is not a happy marriage, because Farrell wants to punish Gilda for all her wild activities and he does not trust her. (Remember, he has known her before.)

The rest of the movie I won't tell here, but it is one blockbuster film noir!
You will hear Rita Hayworth sing "Put the Blame on Mame" several times and finally get to see her strut her stuff on stage singing this song in full seductive costume. She also sings another song in a black satin costume in Spanish--just as sexy!

This movie reminds me of the worshipped movie "Casablanca" in that both take place in bars during WWII and involve troubled women who drive the lead actor crazy. Both movies are known for their entertainment in the bar, and both have catapulted their stars to bigger fame. "Gilda" is the newer movie.

Rita Hayworth as Gilda also reminds me of Kathleen Turner in "Body Heat." In the latter movie, we men are hooked the minute she rises from the outdoor audience in that hot Florida city where the wind is blowing her long brown hair just right. "Gilda" from the late 1940s has stood the test of time and is just as well known as "Body Heat" from the 1980s. And guess what? Neither one of them received any Academy Award nominations. Who would have guessed of their success?

Im a fan of Rita Hayworth. this is a winner for thoes people. She dances so smoothly.the story is great, Glen Ford is a winner. and on a big screen tv its even more enjoyable!

This film noir picture avoids becoming conventional simply by having Rita Hayworth as its star and femme fatale. Underappreciated, this movie offers a very interesting look into the relationship between Glenn Ford's and Rita's characters. Ex-lovers turned enemies then turned lovers again it exemplifies in the complex plots that noir film flourish in. A true classic. Highly recommend.

If you are a fan of Rita Hayworth, then this movie should be to your liking. Personally, I prefer most of the older movies over the new movies that come out. This movie in particular has the right amount drama, action, and comedy. I have watched it many times before I purchased it, but now I am the happy owner of this classic movie!

I LOVEEEE RITA HAYWORTH, this is the ultimate classic ...she is excellent and the story is very well written.
I definitely recommend it ;)

I SAW "GILDA" FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1949 WHEN COLUMBIA DID A RE-RELEASE. JUST COMING INTO PUBERTY AT THE TIME, NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE SIGHT OF RITA IN THAT STRAPLESS, BLACK GOWN SINGING "PUT THE BLAME ON MAME", (OK, SO SHE LIP SYNCED AND ANITA ELLIS DID THE REAL SINGING ... WHO CARES?) WAS A TOTAL TURN ON. RITA HAD JUST HAD A BABY, AND I THINK SHE TRULY WAS AT THE TOP OF HER BEAUTY HERE. BUT A MORE EXCITING DISCOVERY HAPPENS EACH TIME I WATCH THIS FILM ON DVD. (A BEAUTIFUL RESTORATION WAS DONE RECENTLY). THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT HIDDEN THINGS ONE CAN SEE IN EACH VIEWING. WHAT WAS THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GLEN FORD AND GEORGE MCCREDY? A HINT OF A GAY RELATIONSHIP THERE. PLUS RITA SHOWING A GREAT PROMISE AS A DRAMATIC ACTRESS AFTER SO MANY SILLY MUSICALS. ANOTHER CHANCE TO SEE HER TALENT WAS IN "THE LADY FROM SHANHAI" BUT COLUNBIA WASTED HER MOST OF THE TIME.