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The Shanghai Gesture (1941)

APPROVED 99 min  -  Drama | Film-Noir  -   15 January 1942 (USA)
6.7
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Ratings: 6.7/10 from 1,247 users  
Reviews: 51 user | 16 critic

A young woman, Poppy, out for excitement in Shanghai, enters a gambling house owned by "Mother" Gin Sling... See full summary »

Writers:

John Colton (play), Josef von Sternberg (adaptation), and 3 more credits »
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Nominated for 2 Oscars. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gene Tierney ...
Victoria Charteris
Walter Huston ...
Sir Guy Charteris
Victor Mature ...
Doctor Omar
Ona Munson Ona Munson ...
'Mother' Gin Sling
Phyllis Brooks Phyllis Brooks ...
Dixie Pomeroy
Albert Bassermann Albert Bassermann ...
Van Elst
Maria Ouspenskaya Maria Ouspenskaya ...
The Amah
Eric Blore Eric Blore ...
Caesar Hawkins
Ivan Lebedeff Ivan Lebedeff ...
Boris
Mike Mazurki ...
The Coolie
Clyde Fillmore Clyde Fillmore ...
Percival Montgomery Hower
Grayce Hampton Grayce Hampton ...
Lady Blessington
Rex Evans Rex Evans ...
Mr. Jackson
Mikhail Rasumny Mikhail Rasumny ...
Mischa Vaginisky (as Mikhail Rasumni)
Michael Dalmatoff Michael Dalmatoff ...
The Bartender (as Michael Delmatoff)
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Storyline

A young woman, Poppy, out for excitement in Shanghai, enters a gambling house owned by "Mother" Gin Sling, a dragon-lady who worked herself up from poverty to buy the casino. Sir Guy Charteris, wealthy entrepreneur, has purchased a large area of Shanghai, forcing Gin Sling to vacate by the coming Chinese New Year. Under orders from Gin Sling, who has found out Poppy is Charteris' daughter, the smarmy Doctor Omar leads Poppy deeper and deeper into an addiction to gambling and alcohol. Gin Sling, realizing that Charteris was her long-ago husband who she thinks abandoned her, plans her revenge by inviting Charteris to a Chinese New Year dinner party to expose his past indiscretions. Charteris, however, has a suprise of his own to spring on Gin Sling. Written by Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Chinese New Year | Gambling | Casino | Revenge | Dinner Party  | See more »

Taglines:

People Live in Shanghai for Many Reasons... Most of Them Bad! See more »

Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French (some dialogue) | Chinese (only a few words)

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Shangai, ville de folies See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arnold Pressburger Films See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(copyright length)  | USA: (restored version) (1981)  | West Germany:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, on 1 February 1926 and had 206 performances. The opening night cast included C. Henry Gordon, Mary Duncan and William Worthington, with Florence Reed in the role of "Mother Goddam." A 1928 revival included J. Carrol Naish, who was also tested for a part in the movie. See more »

Quotes

Poppy: You said Doctor Omar. Doctor of what?
Omar: Doctor of nothing, Miss Smith. It sounds important and hurts no one. Unlike most doctors.
See more »

Crazy Credits

[after the cast credits] ... and a large cast of HOLLYWOOD EXTRAS who
without expecting credit or mention stand ready day and night to do their
best - and who at their best are more than good enough to deserve mention. See more »

Connections

Featured in La société du spectacle (1973) See more »

Soundtracks

"I'm Always Chasing Rainbows"
(1918)
Music by Harry Carroll
Lyrics by Joseph McCarthy
Played on piano by Rex Evans at Gin Sling's dinner party See more »