Movie Monday: Gilda (1946)

For the first Movie Monday of 2019, we are starting out with a classic! The film Gilda is one of the most iconic and famous movies in popular culture. The entrance that Rita Hayworth’s character makes in this film is one referenced often, but never really recreated in the same way. You see, Hayworth that something special within her that translated with audience everywhere. It was especially impactful during the difficult World War II years. So let’s get this new year started off with the same amazing entrance that Gilda made!

This was the second film I saw with Glenn Ford as a leading character (the first movie I saw Ford act in was The Big Heat). It was really astounding to me how different Ford was able to convey himself in Gilda than all of his other films! The way Ford made his character Johnny in this film seem sly and youthful really differentiates the way he portrayed a strong and stable the protagonist in The Big Heat. Needless to say, after watching Gilda Glenn Ford quickly became one of my favorite classic film actors!

The real showstopper of Gilda, however, is the actress who plays Gilda herself – Rita Hayworth! Everything about the way Hayworth portrayed Gilda was spot on. Unfortunately for Hayworth, though, this film would soon become her nemesis. Everyone would confuse her real life and personality with the one she acted out on screen for this film. Maybe this was caused by the immense stress and need to escape that was cause by the second World War? Either way, Hayworth’s career was stamped by this one film and her amazing ability to so fully encompass this character.

Possibly one of the most interesting aspects of Gilda is that you never know who the “good guy” truly is. This protagonist character trait seems to constantly shift between characters throughout the movie. At first glance, you may assume that Johnny (played by Glenn Ford) is the man you should be rooting for. However, at times it also feels like Gilda is the victim of both Johnny Farrell and Ballin Mundson to the point where she is living a life she never wanted. But if you watch Gilda from the perspective that Glenn Ford’s character being sneaky and manipulative while he uses Gilda as a stepping stone to gaining the casino that was once Mundson’s, you may just get the feeling that maybe Johnny has been the “bad guy” in this noir film all along.

From whatever perspective you see the Gilda characters, I think we can all agree that this is one of best noir films ever made. I personally found this movie to be intense and suspenseful. As soon as the credits began to roll, Gilda shot to the top of my list of favorite films.

There is no better way to begin a new year than with one of the best movies ever made! I hope everyone is having as fabulous a start to their year as Gilda had an entrance in this movie!

Much Love,

Sarah