East of Shanghai (1931)

Believing that an unexpected inheritance will bring them happiness, a married couple instead finds their relationship strained to the breaking point.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

Dale Collins (novel), Alfred Hitchcock (adaptation)

Stars:

Henry Kendall, Joan Barry, Percy Marmont

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Henry Kendall	...	Fred Hill
Joan Barry	...	Emily Hill
Percy Marmont	...	Commander Gordon
Betty Amann	...	The Princess
Elsie Randolph	...	The Old Maid

Storyline

Fred and Emily Hill are leading a boring life in London. They receive a big inheritance by a rich relative and now they can realize all their dreams. They leave for a cruise behaving as rich people....but this is the beginning of the end. Richness makes they soon forget their love and family.

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Plot Keywords:

inheritance | unfaithfulness | infidelity | adultery | husband wife relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 1932 (UK)

Also Known As:

East of Shanghai

Filming Locations:

Dover, Kent, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British International Pictures (BIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is most notable for the techniques used by Hitchcock that reappeared in his later films. Most notable are the sets, including a recreation of a full-sized ship in a water tank, used in the final act of the film. The director also experimented with camera techniques and shot compositions.

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Goofs

When Fred and Emily are drinking with the Princess, at first, they are sitting far apart from each other then in the next shot, they are nearly touching.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Fred Hill: Hello Em.
Emily Hill: Hello Fred. I think you'll like me in this dress when it's done. Oh, have you broken your umbrella?

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Connections

Featured in Perspectives: Jonathan Ross: Alfred Hitchcock - Made in Britain (2013)

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Soundtracks

Cafe Chantant
(uncredited)
Music by Percy Fletcher

User Reviews

One of Hitchcock's best and a real treat!

I have been a Hitchcock fan for years yet had never stumbled on this early classic. Although several posters have commented that this film can't keep to a genre and seems to be all over the place, I disagree. RICH AND STRANGE is strictly comedy, albeit quite dark at times. It is Hitch's most British of satires and with an adventure setting to boot.

A young couple goes off on a world trip after being advanced some inheritance money. The adventure starved office worker husband, seeking to sail the world, finds he can barely survive crossing the English channel and the subservient housewife willing to sacrifice all for her beloved quickly finds another when left alone for a few days.

The ensuing travels shift the two from spectators in Paris to participants in the middle east to victims in the far east. It all proves they belong together. Among the classic Hitchcock touches of dark humour are the indignities of transportation and a cat who rightfully believes he belongs on the dining room table.

Some scenes contain primitive experimental camera techniques that are quite funny when you think about it. The "look left, look right" Paris travel montage, the drunken scenes and the play on the number 19 are quite unique and funny in their right.

I think steak and kidney pudding and a predictable life will do just fine from now on.