After the war, Matt Gordon returns to Singapore to retrieve a fortune in smuggled pearls. Arrived, he reminisces in flashback about his prewar fiancée, alluring Linda, and her disappearance during the Japanese attack. But now Linda resurfaces...with amnesia and married to rich planter Van Leyden. Meanwhile, sinister fence Mauribus schemes to get Matt's pearls.
Acting
Gardner smolders through amnesia; MacMurray's weary longing hits perfect noir notes.
Cinematography
Shadow-drenched Singapore sets that look nothing like Singapore—and that's the point.
Costume
Gardner's wardrobe alone justifies the 79-minute runtime, honestly.
Director
John Brahm
Fred MacMurray
Matt Gordon
Ava Gardner
Linda Grahame / Ann Van Leyden
Roland Culver
Michael Van Leyden
Richard Haydn
Deputy Commissioner Hewitt
Spring Byington
Mrs. Bellows
Thomas Gomez
Mr. Mauribus
Porter Hall
Mr. Bellows
George Lloyd
Sascha Barda
Maylia Fong
Ming Ling
Holmes Herbert
Rev. Barnes
Edith Evanson
Mrs. Barnes
Frederick Worlock
Cadum
Lal Chand Mehra
Mr. Hussein
Curt Conway
Pepe (as Kurt Conway)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Ava Gardner's first top-billed role; she reportedly called it 'that pearl picture' and barely remembered making it.
Shot entirely on Paramount backlots with zero location footage, embodying Hollywood's 1940s fantasy of 'exotic' Asia—complete with white actors playing Singaporean officials.
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