Gilda (film)
Gilda (1946) is a film directed by Charles Vidor starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford as lead actors. The script is attributed to Ben Hecht, who, like so many of his other films, does not appear in the credits.
Over the years, Gilda has gained cult classic status. In 2013, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The Argentine band Serú Girán used part of the audio from the film in their 1981 song Salir de la melancolia.
Plot
Johnny Farrell, an American recently arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, makes a lot of money cheating at dice. He is rescued from an attempted robbery by a complete stranger, Ballin Mundson. Mundson tells him about a high-class illegal casino, but warns him not to cheat there. Farrell ignores his advice, wins at the card game, and is taken to see the owner of the casino, who turns out to be Mundson. Farrell convinces Mundson to hire him and soon becomes Mundson's trusted casino manager.
Mundson returns from a trip and announces that he has a new wife, Gilda, whom he has married after knowing her for only one day. Johnny and Gilda instantly recognize each other, though they both deny it when questioned by Mundson. Mundson assigns Farrell to keep an eye on Gilda. Johnny and Gilda are consumed with hatred for each other, and she toys with men at all hours in an increasingly blatant effort to anger Johnny and, in return, he grows more spiteful towards her.
Mundson receives a visit from two German mobsters. His organization financed a tungsten cartel, with everything listed in Mundson's name to hide his connection to him. They have decided that it is safe to take over the cartel now that World War II has ended, but Mundson refuses to transfer ownership. The Argentine police suspect the Germans and assign Agent Obregón to try to get information from Farrell, but he knows nothing about this aspect of Mundson's operations. The Germans return to the casino during a carnival celebration, and Mundson ends up killing one of them.
Farrell rushes to get Gilda to safety. Alone in the Mundson house, they have another confrontation and after declaring their undying hatred, they passionately kiss. After hearing the front door slam, they realize Mundson has heard them and a guilt-ridden Farrell chases him to a waiting private plane. The plane explodes in midair and plummets into the ocean. Mundson parachutes to safety. Farrell, unaware of this, concludes that Mundson has committed suicide.
Gilda inherits his estate. Farrell and she are immediately married, but unknown to her, Johnny marries her to punish her for her betrayal of Mundson. He leaves her, but her men follow her day and night to torment her. Gilda attempts to escape the tortured marriage several times, but Farrell thwarts her every attempt.
Obregón confiscates the casino and informs Farrell that Gilda was never really unfaithful to Mundson or him, prompting Farrell to try to reconcile with her. Just then, Mundson reappears and reveals that he faked his suicide. He attempts to kill both Gilda and Farrell, but is fatally stabbed by the waiter, Uncle Pio. When Obregon arrives, Johnny tries to take the blame for the murder, but Obregon points out that Mundson has already been declared legally dead and refuses to arrest him. Farrell gives Obregon incriminating documents from Mundson's safe. Farrell and Gilda reconcile.
Cast
Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford) and Gilda (Rita Hayworth)
"Gilda, are you decent?"
- Rita Hayworth... Gilda
- Glenn Ford... Johnny Farrell
- George Macready... Ballin Mundson
- Joseph Calleia... Detective Maurice Obregón
- Steven Geray... Uncle Pio
- Joe Sawyer... Casey
- Gerald Mohr... Captain Delgado
Production Notes
The soundtrack contains songs like "My Beloved" or "Put the Blame on Mame", which Rita Hayworth (Gilda) stages in playback and whose real voice corresponds to Anita Ellis.
When performing the second of these songs, Gilda's character sensually removes a glove; This scene caused a sensation at the time and led to the film being banned in several countries, including Spain. In the film, after said striptease there is another moment that has become equally famous: the character played by Glenn Ford slaps Gilda.
At the 1987 San Sebastian Festival
Glenn Ford received the Donostia Award at the San Sebastián Film Festival in 1987 and chose Gilda to be screened for the tribute out of all his films.