Day 17 of Noirvember: I’m Just Wild About Gilda
I can’t see Gilda too many times.
I discovered a few years ago that Gilda (1946), starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford, is one of those films that is simply mesmerizing to me. Whenever I happen across it, I have to watch it until the end. It’s coming on Tuesday night on TCM, and I’m really hoping I’m asleep before it starts, because if I’m not, you can bet that I’m going to be extra sleepy at work on Wednesday. Here’re some of the reasons why I love this movie so.
“Put the Blame on Mame.” I love the words and, even more, I love the way Hayworth puts it over. (And she looks like she was having such a good time, too!)
That tux, though.
Glenn Ford is pretty darn sexy. I always thought he was a looker, but in Gilda, there’s just something extra about him. Especially when he puts on that tuxedo. Yowza.
The lines are the best! Like this one: “I can never get a zipper to close. Maybe that stands for something. What do you think?” And: “It amuses me to feed you beautiful things, because you eat with such a good appetite.” And: “Pardon me, but your husband is showing.”
George Macready, as Gilda’s husband, is at his bad-assed best. He’s smooth, suave, and oh-so-deadly.
There’s nothing like it.
Gilda’s iconic introduction to the audience – when her husband asks her if she’s decent, and she flips her mane of hair and asks, “Me?”
Rita Hayworth’s wardrobe is the bomb-dot-com. (As my daughter would say.) From that slinky black dress she wears in “Put the Blame on Mame” to that sexy western get-up she dons for carnival – everything she wore was eye-popping.
There’s never a dull moment. Either Johnny and Gilda are sniping at each other, or somebody’s trying to kill Ballin, or Ballin’s trying to kill somebody, or Uncle Pio is calling Johnny a peasant, or somebody’s getting slapped, or Gilda’s doing a strip tease – there’s always SOMETHING going on!
What do you love about Gilda? Watch it on Tuesday and count the ways!
And join me tomorrow for Day 18 of Noirvember!
shadowsandsatin 
“They go to bed with Gilda, they wake up with me.” Yeah, I think I could live with that.
LOL — I’ll bet! 😉
Great post as usual. Your daily thoughts are a must read.
Doesn’t everybody love Gilda. It’s perfect.
Love your summation at the end. – never a dull moment!
Thank you, Vienna — you are so kind. Your comments are most appreciated.
Rita Hayworth — no words can adequately describe her wonderful screen presence.
I know, right? She was beyond description. I may just have to call in sick tomorrow so I can watch Gilda tonight!
Hahahaha— well, maybe a personal day, anyway… 😀
Gilda is just packed with so many great lines. I always liked “Do you hear about me Gabe? If I were a ranch, they would call me the bar nothing.”.
I love that quote — it’s funny, though; I first saw Gilda when I was in my teens. It was years before I understood what she was talking about!
Pardon my French, but I fucking LOVE this movie. Always have, always will. I had planned to stay up last night to watch it on TCM but I fell asleep before it even started. Fail!
Hands down, this is probably my favourite noir movie of all time!
No need for French pardoning — I know just how you feel. In fact, I’m watching Gilda again right now, LOL!