"Singapore" is a very good story that takes place from just before the start of World War II to right after its end. It's set in what once was known as the "Pearl of the Orient." But the story opens after the war, includes flashback to 1942, and then returns to 1946 for the dramatic conclusion. This is a mystery and crime film that weave in and out of a very good love story. Or maybe it's the other way around, but this is much more than a usual romance. It's a story of a deep love of a man and a woman. Altogether, these aspects make a very enjoyable film.
The cast is superb all around. Fred MacMurray and Ava Gardner play a couple who have met and known each other just a few days when they fall deeply in love. But the invasion of Japan ends their relationship, and five years later MacMurray's Matt Gordon returns to Shanghai to retrieve a stash of pearls he had hidden. Memories flood him of Linda Grahame, whom he thought had died in the Japanese bombing. An old acquaintance, the Deputy Commissioner of the city, suspects he's back to smuggle pearls out of the country. But Matt soon spots a woman that looks exactly like Linda.
From there the story unfolds very nicely. Richard Haydn plays the British commissioner, and several other notable actors of the day have very nice roles - Roland Culver as Michael Van Leyden, Spring Byington and Porter Hall as Mrs. And Gerald Bellows, Thomas Gomez as Mr. Mauribus, and more.
This is a very entertaining and interesting film with a good mix of drama, intrigue, light comedy, action and adventure that most audiences should enjoy well into the 21st century.
Here are samples from the fresh and crisp script of this film.
Gerald Bellows, "Where are you dragging me to tonight?" Mrs. Bellows, "To the Chinese Theater. Mr. Gordon says it's a must. They're doing Hamlet." Mr. Bellows, bemused, "In Chinese."
Matt Gordon, "That's the trouble with history. It doesn't leave any room for sentiment."
Deputy Commissioner Hewitt, "Why'd you come back? Leave something behind?" Matt Gordon, "Oh, I wanted to see Singapore again. Find out what happened to it. I always loved it." Hewitt, "A one-sided love."
Mr. Mauribus, "I like troubled times. They keep the police occupied."
Mr. Mauribus, "There are two things I can rely on - my appetite and my instinct."
The cast is superb all around. Fred MacMurray and Ava Gardner play a couple who have met and known each other just a few days when they fall deeply in love. But the invasion of Japan ends their relationship, and five years later MacMurray's Matt Gordon returns to Shanghai to retrieve a stash of pearls he had hidden. Memories flood him of Linda Grahame, whom he thought had died in the Japanese bombing. An old acquaintance, the Deputy Commissioner of the city, suspects he's back to smuggle pearls out of the country. But Matt soon spots a woman that looks exactly like Linda.
From there the story unfolds very nicely. Richard Haydn plays the British commissioner, and several other notable actors of the day have very nice roles - Roland Culver as Michael Van Leyden, Spring Byington and Porter Hall as Mrs. And Gerald Bellows, Thomas Gomez as Mr. Mauribus, and more.
This is a very entertaining and interesting film with a good mix of drama, intrigue, light comedy, action and adventure that most audiences should enjoy well into the 21st century.
Here are samples from the fresh and crisp script of this film.
Gerald Bellows, "Where are you dragging me to tonight?" Mrs. Bellows, "To the Chinese Theater. Mr. Gordon says it's a must. They're doing Hamlet." Mr. Bellows, bemused, "In Chinese."
Matt Gordon, "That's the trouble with history. It doesn't leave any room for sentiment."
Deputy Commissioner Hewitt, "Why'd you come back? Leave something behind?" Matt Gordon, "Oh, I wanted to see Singapore again. Find out what happened to it. I always loved it." Hewitt, "A one-sided love."
Mr. Mauribus, "I like troubled times. They keep the police occupied."
Mr. Mauribus, "There are two things I can rely on - my appetite and my instinct."