The Lady from Shanghai (1947 Orson Welles)

Based on Sherwood King's 'If I Die Before I Wake', adapted by Welles and uncredited others, and filmed on Errol Flynn's yacht Zaca (where allegedly Orson tried cocaine with the star - and decided he liked it too much*). Rita Hayworth and Orson had separated, yet during filming he lived back with her.

It's a bright, bonkers film (to paraphrase the original) with Welles' Irish sailor constantly berating himself for his stupidity as he tangles with 'frenzied sharks' Everett Sloane, Glenn Anders, Ted de Corsia and the elusive Rita Hayworth (great when she starts speaking Chinese in exotic Chinatown end section).

Shot by Charles Lawton, edited by Viola Lawrence, film was hacked about by Colombia, had inappropriate music added, yet survives as a distinctly Orwellian experience with a crafty and noiry plot and a terrific eye-teasing finale in the hall of mirrors.

Still love the single, stand-out shot where Anders tells him his plan high on the cliff of Acapulco and the camera suddenly is looking straight down on them (perhaps one of Welles' 'shock effects' which had to be toned down). And Rita in big close up singing 'Stormy Weather'. Oh yeah, and the aquarium scene. Oh, and also that very funny and distinctive courtroom scene with disturbing jurors, over-reacting spectators, Sloane cross-examining himself, etc.

*Barbara Leaming (1985)