After her divorce from Prince Aly Khan, Rita Hayworth returned to America and Columbia immediately put her into this film, reuniting her with her favorite costar, Glenn Ford. Associate producer of "Gilda" , Virginia Van Upp, was also on board, as was Stephen Geray who had portrayed Uncle Pio in the earlier film.
It is a noir along the lines of the aforementioned movie, with Rita portraying Trinidad café dancer Chris Emery, whose husband, Neal, is the owner of the joint. The authorities show up one evening after her dance routine to inform her that her spouse has apparently committed suicide. Although shocked, she later cooperates with police when they conclude that he actually was murdered and they ask her to help with the investigation. They suspect the wealthy playboy Max Fabian (Alexander Scourby), of the crime, and since he is infatuated with Chris, she can get close to him. Neal's older brother, Steve (Ford) arrives, unaware of his brother's death, but once he learns of it, he is determined to find out the truth. He is suspicious of Chris, but he is also attracted to her - something he tries to conceal. As Chris cannot reveal what she is up to, Steve begins to suspect that she knows more about Neal's death than she will admit. He is infuriated further by Fabian, who makes it no secret that he desires her. This leads to a showdown at the villain's mansion, with a strew of menacing, secondary characters to supply a sub-plot of spies and world control a la Gilda.
Although not quite on par with the earlier Hayworth/Ford teaming, this is an entertaining picture that should please the viewer in the way of suspense, intrigue, and of course, the electricity generated between the two stars. And the songs (Rita's vocals were dubbed by Jo Ann Greer), "Trinidad Lady", and "I've Been Kissed Before", steamy dance routines (created by Valerie Bettis, who appears as the wife of one of the spies), and the gowns by Jean Louis are definitely a highlight.
Update - the film was released on region 1 DVD in 2008. Good to have it, although I thought it could have gotten more extras - but this is Columbia, so one shouldn't expect that to happen too often.
Definitely a must for Rita and Glenn fans.
It is a noir along the lines of the aforementioned movie, with Rita portraying Trinidad café dancer Chris Emery, whose husband, Neal, is the owner of the joint. The authorities show up one evening after her dance routine to inform her that her spouse has apparently committed suicide. Although shocked, she later cooperates with police when they conclude that he actually was murdered and they ask her to help with the investigation. They suspect the wealthy playboy Max Fabian (Alexander Scourby), of the crime, and since he is infatuated with Chris, she can get close to him. Neal's older brother, Steve (Ford) arrives, unaware of his brother's death, but once he learns of it, he is determined to find out the truth. He is suspicious of Chris, but he is also attracted to her - something he tries to conceal. As Chris cannot reveal what she is up to, Steve begins to suspect that she knows more about Neal's death than she will admit. He is infuriated further by Fabian, who makes it no secret that he desires her. This leads to a showdown at the villain's mansion, with a strew of menacing, secondary characters to supply a sub-plot of spies and world control a la Gilda.
Although not quite on par with the earlier Hayworth/Ford teaming, this is an entertaining picture that should please the viewer in the way of suspense, intrigue, and of course, the electricity generated between the two stars. And the songs (Rita's vocals were dubbed by Jo Ann Greer), "Trinidad Lady", and "I've Been Kissed Before", steamy dance routines (created by Valerie Bettis, who appears as the wife of one of the spies), and the gowns by Jean Louis are definitely a highlight.
Update - the film was released on region 1 DVD in 2008. Good to have it, although I thought it could have gotten more extras - but this is Columbia, so one shouldn't expect that to happen too often.
Definitely a must for Rita and Glenn fans.