
The Shanghai Gesture
Seen it?1941 | 99 min | Drama, Crime, Mystery, Romance
Why it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- A natural pick for people who like their stories with a little danger and people who enjoy a knot in their stomach. Best on a quiet night when you're in the mood to feel something. Liked Glengarry Glen Ross or Laura? This is a good next one.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Quiet, then quietly devastating, at 1 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1941: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.
A gambling queen uses blackmail to stop a British financier from closing her Chinese clip joint.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 10K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Glengarry Glen RossFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama.
LauraFriday Night FlickAlso stars Gene Tierney, in another critically acclaimed drama.
The Lady from ShanghaiSaturday SpecialAnother mystery that's easy to miss.
Killer's KissSaturday SpecialAnother crime drama that's easy to miss.
The Asphalt JungleFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Josef von Sternberg
- Victor MatureDoctor Omar
- Ona Munson'Mother' Gin Sling
- Gene TierneyVictoria Charteris (aka "Poppy Smith")
- Walter HustonSir Guy Charteris
- Phyllis BrooksDixie Pomeroy
- Albert BassermannVan Elst
- Maria OuspenskayaThe Amah
- Eric BloreCaesar Hawkins
- Ivan LebedeffBoris
- Mike MazurkiThe Coolie