Macao

Director: Josef von Sternberg Josef von Sternberg

Overview

J. Von Sternberg directed this steamy film noir centered in the Oriental port. Nick Cochran (Robert Mitchum) is fleeing the law to escape punishment for the crime he didn't commit, while singer Julie Benson (Jane Russell) works in a smuggling kingpin's club. Cochran is offered amnesty in the U.S. if he can track down the crime boss, and Benson reluctantly agrees to help. A vehicle for the sex-bomb and the beefcake turns out melodramatic at best.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/06/2016
UPC:	0888574453985
Original Release:	1952
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:21:00

Special Features

Commentary by Jane Russell, screenwriter Stanley Rubin and film noir historian Eddie Muller; TCM Private Screenings with Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell, hosted by Robert Osborne

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Mitchum	Nick Cochran
Jane Russell	Julie Benson
William Bendix	Lawrence C. Trumble
Thomas Gomez	Lt. Sebastian
Gloria Grahame	Margie
Brad Dexter	Vincent Halloran
Edward Ashley	Martin Stewart
Philip Ahn	Itzumi
Vladimir Sokoloff	Kwan Sum Tang
Don Zelaya	Gimpy - Piano Player
Iris Wong	Croupiers
Alfredo Santos	Hoodlum
Anthony Collins	Composer

Technical Credits

Bernard Schoenfeld

Stanley Rubin

Josef von Sternberg	Director
Bernard Schoenfeld	Screenwriter
Stanley Rubin	Screenwriter
Alex Gottlieb	Producer
Howard Hughes	Executive Producer
Samuel Bischoff	Executive Producer,Executive Producer
A. Wolcott	Sound/Sound Designer
Clem Portman	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Not so different than director Josef von Sternberg's earlier exotic noir The Shanghai Gesture, Macao is actually the more entertaining film, even if the plot is flimsy and lacks much inspiration. Robert Mitchum does his usual Robert Mitchum routine here, while Jane Russell is most definitely Jane Russell. As a singer, she's got a couple of great songs in Macao, which are among the best scenes in the film. Sternberg and later Nicholas Ray, who completed the film, include some excellent shots of the island, making it seem thrilling and otherworldly. There's also a great chase scene through a harbor, where Mitchum and his pursuers jump from boat to boat. Gloria Grahame is good as always, but her part is way too small. The dialogue is pretty snappy, but the story seems like it was written in a week. Clocking in at one hour and 21 minutes, Macao seems not quite finished.