Rare Photos Of Directors On The Set Of Their Iconic Films

Orson Welles & Rita Hayworth Divorced After The Lady From Shanghai Was Released

The Lady From Shanghai is a 1947 film noir based on the novel “If I Die Before I Wake” and was filmed in the studio and on location in San Francisco. Orson Welles cast his wife, Rita Hayworth, as Elsa. He created some controversy by having Hayworth cut her famous long hair and bleaching it blonde. Columbia Pictures President Harry Cohn was upset by the drastic change, feeling it ruined the actress’ iconic appearance. While the movie didn’t do well upon its release, the final scene featuring a hall of mirrors cemented it in the film noir genre. Welles and Hayworth divorced shortly after it was released.