Review by John Larkin
THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI 4K can be purchased at MovieZyng.com by clicking the image above.
According to Orson Welles himself, the making of THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI was an act of pure desperation. At the time, Welles’ Mercury Theatre company was mounting a musical adaptation of "Around the World in 80 Days," but financial troubles loomed large. Just hours before the Boston preview, disaster struck: the costumes were impounded, and unless Welles could scrape together $55,000 to settle outstanding debts, the performance would be canceled. In a frantic bid to save the production, Welles stumbled upon a copy of "If I Die Before I Wake," the novel that would become the basis for THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI. Without hesitation, he phoned Harry Cohn at Columbia Pictures, pitching himself to write, direct, and star in the film. Welles’ one condition? That Cohn wire $55,000 to Boston within two hours. Miraculously, the money arrived, the show went on as planned, and a film was born out of sheer financial necessity.
Welles himself would later express regret about aspects of the film, famously calling the opening scene of THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI the worst thing he ever did. I have to agree—it’s painfully awkward and jarring. My initial reaction to hearing Welles’ exaggerated Irish brogue was one of pure bewilderment; it took me completely off guard. Welles’ accent feels more like a distraction than an artistic choice. It’s also worth noting that Welles was rewriting the script on a daily basis during filming, which created considerable tension on set. Cast members were often left scrambling to memorize freshly written pages, and the lack of structure undoubtedly contributed to the film’s unevenness.
That said, there’s no denying the brilliance woven throughout THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI. For all its shortcomings, it’s a visually stunning work with an irresistible noir atmosphere. The cinematography is exquisite, drenched in shadows and striking compositions that make every frame feel deliberate. Of course, the standout moment is the legendary hall-of-mirrors sequence in the third act—a dazzlingly inventive set piece that remains one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history. It’s the kind of sequence that cements Welles’ genius, even in a film that didn’t come together as smoothly as some of his other masterpieces.
As for this new 4K UHD release from Sony, the restoration is simply superb. The image is sharp, the detail is breathtaking, and the use of HDR adds depth to the film’s already moody, high-contrast visuals. It’s a real treat to see a Welles classic presented with such care. However, I can’t help but wish Sony had included more in the way of special features. This is a film with a fascinating production history, and a more robust set of behind-the-scenes content or commentary would have added significant value.
Even so, this disc is an essential addition to any Welles fan’s collection. THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI may not be his most polished work, but its ambition, artistry, and moments of brilliance make it a must-own for lovers of classic cinema.
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