The Lady from Shanghai
A romantic drifter gets caught between a corrupt tycoon and his voluptuous wife.
Critics Sentiment
Final shootout in the hall of mirrors maze
Michael joins Bannister and Elsa aboard their yacht
The film jumps from its slowest early section to the universally acclaimed hall of mirrors finale, gaining over 2 points.
Critics found The Lady from Shanghai a flawed but visually stunning noir that starts slowly but builds to transcendent heights. While reviewers noted plot holes and Welles' problematic accent, they consistently praised the bizarre performances, especially Glenn Anders, and the film's technical mastery. The consensus celebrates it as a compromised vision that still showcases Welles' unique directorial gifts, culminating in one of cinema's most memorable endings.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 65
Rita Hayworth
Elsa Bannister
Orson Welles
Michael O'Hara
Everett Sloane
Arthur Bannister
Glenn Anders
George Grisby
Ted de Corsia
Sidney Broome
Erskine Sanford
Judge
Gus Schilling
Goldfish
Carl Frank
District Attorney Galloway
Louis Merrill
Jake Bjornsen
Evelyn Ellis
Bessie
Harry Shannon
Cab Driver
William Alland
Reporter (uncredited)
Jessie Arnold
Schoolteacher at Aquarium / Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Wong Artarne
Ticket Taker (uncredited)
Rama Bai
Townswomen (uncredited)
Jack Baxley
Guard (uncredited)
Steve Benton
Policeman (uncredited)
Wong Chung
Li (uncredited)
Eddie Coke
Policeman (uncredited)
Tom Coleman
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Crew
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