Shanghai Express
US (1932): Drama
Josef von Sternberg gets really exotic here with Marlene Dietrich and the story of her adventures on a train en route to Shanghai, where she is reunited with a lover who jilted her (Clive Brook). When the train is overtaken by Chinese rebels, Brook is held hostage and the rebel leader (Warner Oland) takes a liking to Dietrich. The notorious adventurer fiendishly strikes a bargain to save Brook, whom she's never stopped loving. This is one of the most intriguing von Sternberg-Dietrich films not only because of its exotic style and setting but because of its passionate love story. It also features Anna May Wong. (Amazon.com)
3 nominations, 1 Award
· Best Cinematography 1931-32: Lee Garmes
· Best Picture 1931-32: Paramount Publix, Adolph Zukor, studio head
· Directing 1931-32: Josef von Sternberg