The Lady from Shanghai Orson Welles

the film welles obliged make in exchange harry cohn s in financing stage production around world lady shanghai, filmed in 1947 columbia pictures. intended modest thriller, budget skyrocketed after cohn suggested welles s then-estranged second wife rita hayworth co-star.

orson welles in lady shanghai (1947)

cohn disliked welles s rough cut, particularly confusing plot , lack of close-ups, , not in sympathy welles s brechtian use of irony , black comedy, in farcical courtroom scene. cohn ordered extensive editing , re-shoots. after heavy editing studio, approximately 1 hour of welles s first cut removed, including of climactic confrontation scene in amusement park funhouse. while expressing displeasure @ cuts, welles appalled particularly musical score. film considered disaster in america @ time of release, though closing shootout in hall of mirrors has since become touchstone of film noir. not long after release, welles , hayworth finalized divorce.

although lady shanghai acclaimed in europe, not embraced in u.s. until decades later. similar difference in reception on opposite sides of atlantic followed greater american acceptance befell welles-inspired chaplin film monsieur verdoux, directed welles starring chaplin, directed chaplin idea credited welles.