Shanghai Express (film)
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| Shanghai Express | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Poster |
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| Directed by | Josef von Sternberg |
| Produced by | Adolph Zukor |
| Written by | Jules Furthman Story: Harry Hervey |
| Starring | Marlene Dietrich Clive Brook Anna May Wong |
| Music by | W. Franke Harling Rudolph G. Kopp |
| Cinematography | Lee Garmes James Wong Howe |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | Feb. 2, 1932 |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English Cantonese Franch German |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Shanghai Express is an American 1932 film directed by Josef von Sternberg.[1]
The pre-code era picture stars Marlene Dietrich, Clive Brook, Anna May Wong, and Warner Oland. It was written by Jules Furthman, based on the story by Harry Hervey.
It was American-born director Sternberg's third of seven vehicles he would make with the German Marlene Dietrich.
The film is memorable for it's stylistic black and white chiaroscuro cinematography, especially the exquisite north light to profile Dietrch.
Even though Lee Garmes is credited with the cinematography, according to Dietrich, it was Sternberg who directed most of the cinematography.
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[edit] Plot
The story concerns many travelers on a train travelling through China as the country is undergoing a civil war. The characters include: the zealous missionary Mr. Carmichael (Lawrence Grant), smuggler Eric Baum (Gustav von Seyffertitz), the mysterious Eurasian businessman Mr. Henry Chang (Warner Oland), and others.
The express train to Shanghai is raided by warlord Henry Chang (Warner Oland). Chang claims the prostitute Shanghai Lily (Marlene Dietrich) as his booty.
A British officer, her former lover, Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey (Clive Brook), tries to save her.
[edit] Cast
- Marlene Dietrich as Shanghai Lily, aka Magdalen
- Clive Brook as Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey
- Anna May Wong as Hui Fei
- Warner Oland as Mr. Henry Chang
- Eugene Pallette as Sam Salt
- Lawrence Grant as Reverend Mr. Carmichael
- Louise Closser Hale as Mrs. Haggerty
- Gustav von Seyffertitz as Eric Baum
- Emile Chautard as Major Lenard
[edit] Awards
Wins
- Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Cinematography, Lee Garmes; 1932.
Nominations
- Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Director, Josef von Sternberg; Best Picture; 1932.
[edit] Adaptions
Shanghai Express was remade in 1942 as Night Plane from Chungking, and in 1951 as Peking Express.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Shanghai Express at the Internet Movie Database.
