Shanghai Express
An intoxicating mix of adventure, romance, and pre-Code salaciousness, Shanghai Express marks the commercial peak of an iconic collaboration. Marlene Dietrich is at her wicked best as Shanghai Lily, a courtesan whose reputation brings a hint of scandal to a three-day train ride through war-torn China. On board, she is surrounded by a motley crew of foreigners and lowlifes, including a fellow fallen woman (Anna May Wong), an old flame (Clive Brook), and a rebel leader wanted by the authorities (Warner Oland). As tensions come to a boil, director Josef von Sternberg delivers one breathtaking image after another, enveloping his star in a decadent profusion of feathers, furs, and cigarette smoke. The result is a triumph of studio filmmaking and a testament to the mythic power of Hollywood glamour.
Available In
Collector's Set
Collector's Set
Cast
- Marlene Dietrich
- Shanghai Lily
- Clive Brook
- Captain Donald Harvey
- Anna May Wong
- Hui Fei
- Warner Oland
- Henry Chang
- Eugene Pallette
- Sam Salt
- Lawrence Grant
- Mr. Carmichael
- Louise Closser Hale
- Mrs. Haggerty
- Gustav von Seyffertitz
- Eric Baum
- Emile Chautard
- Major Lenard
Credits
- Director
- Josef von Sternberg
- Screenplay by
- Jules Furthman
- From the story by
- Harry Hervey
- Music by
- Karl Hajos
- Photographed by
- Lee Garmes
- Edited by
- Frank Sullivan
- Art direction by
- Hans Dreier
- Gowns by
- Travis Banton
- Sound by
- Harry D. Mills
