Macao

This was not one of von Sternberg's favorite films, but the dynamic and utterly visual director made of MACAO, with its hodgepodge script and melodramatic meanderings, an exciting film noir entry, steaming up the screen with sultry, sexy Russell and a somnambulistic Mitchum who manage to clinch often, despite their sneering disregard for each other. Mitchum is on the run, having been convicted of a crime he did not commit. He meets nightclub singer Russell, who dislikes men in general, while both are on a steamer bound for Macao. Also on board is wisecracking detective Bendix, who uses both Russell and Mitchum to identify jewel smugglers operating on the Por...