Films to be screened & discussed…
Gilda (Charles Vidor) 1946
Readings…
Flashback (Chapters 6 & 7)
Short Guide (Chapter 6)
Week 05 Notes
Week 05 - Screening Report Journal
Film: Gilda (1946)
Screening Date: 2011-10-17
IMDB Link: http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt0038559/
A. Briefly describe what your expectations for the film were? What did you already know about the film and from what source? What did you know about the country and historical period / style of its origin? Did you know anything about the director? What was the most important feature of the film you were looking for?
To be honest, I had no idea what to expect with Charles Vidor’s 1946 film Gilda, nor did I know anything about the film prior to taking this course. This was another film that I had not seen before, although I knew it was a film noir, so I expected it would focus on the character of Gilda (Rita Hayworth) portraying some sultry femme fatal, somehow ensnaring those around her in her web of deceit.
Gilda was released in 1946, following the end of World War 2 in 1945.
B. Using Chapter 3 of Corrigan’s Short Guide to Writing About Film as a guide, describe and outline some of the main themes explored in the film, the primary narrative, the main characters, and discuss the point of view the film takes.
The film is set in Argentina, centering on Rita Hayworth’s title character of Gilda, a femme fatal who earns the love of two men. Gilda marries Ballin Mundson, an older gentleman who runs a Casino in who has hired a younger man, Glenn Ford’s Johnny Farrell who the film suggests, has an unknown past with Gilda and this is explored through a rather emotional and tumultuous love-hate relationship that exists between the two characters.
Of course, the war touches these characters, as it is eventually revealed that Mundson has had dealings with Germans wishing to protect assets they more than likely underhandedly acquired during the course of the war. The relationships and the love triangle formed between Gilda, Mundson and Johnny all play with the idea of trust and how it is given, earned or taken away. Mundson is slow to trust people at the start of the film; and later when Johnny gains control of the casino, he too develops the same mistrust of others that ultimately brought Mundson down.
The seedy side of life is also shown through the venues that the characters inhabit – seedy night clubs and casinos provide the characters with easy access to many of life’s vices, be it sex, gambling or drinking.
C. Please pinpoint one memorable scene of the film and describe its mise-en-scène (elements and techniques of visual style—that is, both elements on the set and/or aspects of the camera movement and editing choices—see Corrigan pp. 51-57 for help with this aspect).
When Mundson and Johnny enter a room to meet Gilda for the first time, the camera is on the door to Gilda’s room. Mundson leads and unsuspecting Johnny into the room, and asks “Gilda, are you decent?” The room is opulent and reflective of the riches a casino has to offer. Both men are well dressed, and Vidor is quick to cut to another side of the room that at first appears empty. But, Gilda is quick to appear, as she flings her hair back and faces the doorway, framed by two blurry but expensive wall sconces. She has a smile on her face, as though she feels she is in control of the situation and she responds with a question, “Me?” It is at this point Vidor cuts back to show Johnny entering the room from out of a shadowed doorway. Then Vidor cuts back to Gilda, capturing her look of being caught off guard as she practically freezes altogether as her smile fades away, and she pulls up her dress to cover her right shoulder before finishing with - “Sure, I’m decent.” The scene is short but effective, as it immediately creates and exposes the tension between Gilda and Johnny.
D. Overall, what were your impressions of the film? Describe one way that the film met your expectations and one way that the film surprised and/or exceeded your expectations.
Overall, I enjoyed Gilda and it is a film I want to watch again soon. I get the feeling that perhaps Sharon Stone may have watched Gilda and modeled her characters in Basic Instinct and Casino off of Rita Hayworth’s character in Gilda, as there are many similarities across all three.
Instructor’s Feedback: “Yes! Good comparison.”
E. How does the film’s main character Gilda operate in this film? What does the film reveal about the anxieties and tensions of America at a time of war?
Gilda operates from a position of power over the two men that have fallen for her. She does her best throughout the film to control and manipulate them but at times appears to lack any kind of control over them. Her character is full of emotion and is not afraid to go after things that will bring her pleasure, which ultimately leads to trouble for her and those around her. The relationship between Mundson and Johnny is polluted when Gilda appears, and for Gilda and Johnny to ultimately be together they must free themselves of Mundson. The end of World War 2 also marked the start of the Cold War. A lot of people fled to Argentina to escape – whether they were escaping from post-war prosecution or just drifting thru life.
INSTRUCTOR’S FEEDBACK
“I can see your passion and interest in film well exemplified in your journals. Fantastic detail and attention to the nuances of camera work and mis-en-scene. You also spent some time discussing contextual elements to - all great additions to your reflections!
POSITIVES: Great detail and attention to visuals. Historical context. Thoughtful Reflections
WORK ON: Your final 2-3 reviews lacked the same attention and detail as your first few reviews. Add more detail to questions D and E, even if it means less detail is given to questions A and B.” - Dr Dorothy Barenscott
GRADE: A / A+
A pdf copy of this assignment can be found here.
Image Header: Darabont, Frank. “A Movie Within a Movie: Andy Dufresne (Tim Robins in 1994’s The Shawshank Redemption) stares at Rita Hayworth as Gilda (1946).” Film Geekdom, 31 Mar 2012.