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Shanghai Express Overview:

Shanghai Express (1932) was a Adventure - Drama Film directed by Josef von Sternberg and produced by Adolph Zukor.

Academy Awards 1931/32 --- Ceremony Number 5 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best CinematographyLee GarmesWon
Best DirectorJosef Von SternbergNominated
Best PictureParamount PublixNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Shanghai Express BlogHub Articles:

ClassicFlix (Teen Scene): Shanghai Express (1932)

By Virginie Pronovost on Jun 28, 2017 From The Wonderful World of Cinema

From March 2015 to April 2017, I was writing the monthly Teen Scene column for the website ClassicFlix. My objective was to promote classic films among teenagers and young adults. Due to the establishing of a new version of the website, it’s now more difficult to access to the old version and read... Read full article

Shanghai Express (1932)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 26, 2016 From 4 Star Films

The same year as Grand Hotel there came another film, that while still boasting an ensemble cast felt far more intimate. In its day it was christened “Grand Hotel on wheels” and its narrative does unravel aboard a train. However, Josef von Sternberg’s film opens with a faceless atm... Read full article

Shanghai Express (1932)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 26, 2016 From 4 Star Films

The same year as Grand Hotel there came another film, that while still boasting an ensemble cast felt far more intimate. In it’s day it was christened “Grand Hotel on wheels” and its narrative does unravel aboard a train. However, Josef von Sternberg’s film opens with a facel... Read full article

Shanghai Express (1932)

By smumcountry on Oct 17, 2015 From Smum County

October 17, 2015 by smumcounty “Grand Hotel on a train.” That’s how they referred to “Shanghai Express” when it was released in 1932 the same year as “Grand Hotel”. I can see why someone would make that facile comparison. Both films take place in a limited space and involve an array of... Read full article

Shanghai Express (1932)

By smumcountry on Oct 17, 2015 From Smum County

October 17, 2015 by smumcounty “Grand Hotel on a train.” That’s how they referred to “Shanghai Express” when it was released in 1932 the same year as “Grand Hotel”. I can see why someone would make that facile comparison. Both films take place in a limited space and involve an array of... Read full article

See More Shanghai Express Articles

Shanghai Express Quotes:

Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey: You appear to be nervous. Sleep would do you more good.
Shanghai Lily: What makes you think I'm nervous?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey: For one thing, your hands are trembling.
Shanghai Lily: It's because you touched me, Doc.
Sam Salt: I don't know what you're saying brother... but don't say it again.
Sam Salt: I can't make head or tail outta' you, Mr. Chang. Are you Chinese, or are you white, or what are you?
Mr. Henry Chang: My mother is Chinese. My father was white.
Sam Salt: You look more like a white man to me.
Mr. Henry Chang: I'm not proud of my white blood.
Sam Salt: Oh, you're not, are you?
Mr. Henry Chang: No, I'm not.
Sam Salt: Rather be a Chinaman, huh?
Mr. Henry Chang: Yes.
Sam Salt: What future is there in bein' a Chinaman? You're born, eat your way through a handful of rice, and you die. What a country! Let's have a drink!
Shanghai Lily: It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily.
Mr. Henry Chang: You're in China now, sir, where time and life have no value.
See More Quotes from Shanghai Express
Shanghai Express Facts
The Hays Office expressed concern about the unlikable character of the minister, which prompted a revision of the script. Other concerns included the remark by Chang that he was not proud of his white blood, but that line remains in the print.
Howard Hawks made an uncredited contribution to the screenplay.
This was the highest grossing film of 1932 in USA and Canada.
The extras in the film are all speaking Cantonese, a Chinese dialect focused mainly in southern China. If the film were to be more true to life, the extras would be speaking Mandarin, a more spoken dialect. However, most Chinese residents in the Los Angeles area spoke Cantonese, making von Sternberg use Cantonese.
China initially banned the movie, demanding its withdrawal from worldwide circulation. The ban was lifted when Paramount pledged not to make another film involving Chinese politics.
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