“Gilda…are you decent”?

From “hmm…interesting” to intrigued and from intrigued to an actual old hollywood movie hangover! I’ve finally watched the movie Gilda. What a movie! Want to know more about the story, my opinion about the movie, memorable quotes, fashion and the legendary glove-striptease. Keep reading…

Plot

The story starts with an American gambler named Johnny Farrel (Glenn Ford) arriving in Buenos Aires, Argentinia. After he wins a great amount of money in a gambling game, he’s almost robbed. He’s rescued by a stranger who tells him about some high-class casino in the neighbourhood. Johnny gets himself hired at the casino. He becomes the right-hand of the owner of the casino, Ballin Mundson.

At one point Ballin Mundsom goes away from a trip and comes home with a woman and not just any woman: Gilda. Johnny Farrel is in charge of handling every property that Ballin has. This includes Gilda as Ballin and Gilda returned married to Buenos Aires.When it becomes clear that Johnny Farrel and Gilda have a history, the story really gets intriguing…

Check out the official trailer of the movie:
 

Review

What definitely makes the movie is the sultry and electrifying Gilda and the tension between her and Johnny. Without exaggerating: Rita Hayworth really lifted sex-appeal to the top-level and I don’t think anyone has overruled that level. No one probably ever will. Looks definitely helped, but it was her overall self confidence (even in emotional scenes), the convincing sharp dialogues in combination with strong body language that did the trick. And yes, all that in 1946. If you know any women who have lack of self confidence, seriously…let them watch Gilda: instant therapy guaranteed.
 

 
Second: the love-hate relationship that Gilda has with Johnny Farrel is from the most unusual type. It can be a bit confusing when you watch the movie, but at the same time it’s what made the story so intriguing. In fact, back then the love-hate relationship was so convincing, a lot of people didn’t believe it was just an act… Well, that can only mean one thing: very good acting. That leads me to the third great aspect of the movie: the acting. All the players was very good: you won’t even forget the washroom attendant (uncle Pio) in this movie.
 

 
Furthermore, I want to shine some light on the sharp dialogues. You won’t hear these a lot in hollywood movies these days. Sharp onliner and conversation material for man and woman with a pinch of sarcasm.

 

Gilda: If I’d been a ranch, they would’ve named me “The Bar Nothing”.

Johnny Farrell: Doesn’t it bother you at all that you’re married?
Gilda: What I want to know is, does it bother you?

Johnny Farrell: Statistics show that there are more women in the world than anything else. Except insects.

Gilda[to Johnny]: You haven’t been around lately. I thought maybe you were an amnesia victim or something.

Gilda: Got a light?
Uncle Pio: Yes, Mrs. Mundson. It is so crowded here and yet so lonely.
Gilda: How did you know?
Uncle Pio: You smoke too much. I noticed only frustrated people smoke too much and only the lonely people are frustrated.



Well, I could put them all here, but it’s probably better if you watch the movie and hear the dialogues yourself ;-).

Gilda and Fashion

Gilda gives an excellent peek into typical 1940s fashion. Beautiful strapless gowns, long halter dresses and feminine close-fitting suits. Pictures say more than a thousand words when it comes to fashion. So here we go. Most of the these lovely creations were designed by Jean Louis.
 

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That last black dress wasn’t just iconic because it was beautiful. In the scene where Rita Hayworth is wearing this dress, she performs a glove-striptease. It’s called that way, because in the particular scene she slowly takes of one of her gloves in a very seductive way. So: a dressed, seductive striptease? Yes, you definitely you can. Here is Rita Hayworth proving it in 1946: