Nicholas Ray (1) (1911–1979)

Despite its detractors, and its troubled production history, this is an entertaining Robert Mitchum film. This crime caper in exotic surroundings is a real winner. A lot was working against this film, however. Gloria Grahame hated RKO's Howard Hughes and was in the process of divorcing producer Nicholas Ray at the time Macao was made. The starting script was an indecipherable mess, and the director was an overbearing egoist who nearly provoked Mitchum to violence. The lead female role should have been Grahame’s, with Russell, taking the secondary role. The fact that the end results are still so utterly entertaining is a sheer miracle.

Mitchum's character, Nick Cochran, ends up in Macao and is mistaken for Lawrence Trumble (William Bendix), who might or might not be a cop looking to extradite casino owner Vincent Halloran (Brad Dexter). Margie (Gloria Grahame) is the sensuous and abused ingenue tangled up with Halloran, and would steal every scene she’s in were she not equaled by Mitchum. Though she isn’t a favorite of mine, Russell and Mitchum had an easy rapport on and off screen apparently, but the film still would have been better with Gloria Grahame in her role and Russell taking over Gloria’s part.

Mitchum and Russell both had tremendous difficulties working with Joseph von Sternberg, and teamed up to against his dictatorial manner. Mitchum not only rewrote some of the convoluted script, but when Nicholas Ray had to step in, he reportedly helped direct some scenes as well. Everyone is a bit of a mystery in this film as to their motives and actions, spicing things up. The cops need to get Halloran out of Macao to nab him, but since everyone seems to be a bit on the shady side, it's hard to know who to trust.

Thomas Gomez rounds out the great cast as Lt. Sebastian. The exotic locale and attractive players makes for fine Hollywood escapism. That said, it's best not to think about this one too hard, and just sit back and enjoy it. A lot of fun.… (mere)