Film Noir Baby

Orson Welles could do no wrong, as far as I am concerned. He was a genius who took risks with his films, and rarely fell flat in the process. The only issue that comes up for me in some of his films is the obvious studio redo of the dialogue, which probably wasn't his fault. But it doesn't distract from the story, and that's the important thing. The Lady from Shanghai is masterful and unique. Some scenes are iconic, and will refuse to leave your psyche even after the final Fade Out. Rita Hayworth is dazzling in this film. I know a few people were stunned by the short blonde hairstyle she sported in her role as Elsa Bannister; they were so used to the luxurious red locks she wore for years. But I love the look of this character. Yeah, she's a Femme Fatale, it's a Film Noir, duh - and the hairstyle and clothes she wears suits that part to a T. (Same thing with Jane Greer in Out of the Past.) Orson's Michael O'Hara is a different sort of hero, even an anti-hero...