"Shanghai Express" was one of a string of exotic foreign intrigue films starring Marlene Dietrich in the early 1930s. This one has her starring as Shanghai Lily, a notorious "worldly" woman whose mysterious exterior hides a heart of gold, and who's willing to sacrifice herself to save the man she loves (unbeknownst to him).
The previous year's "Morocco," also directed by Josef von Sternberg, brought Dietrich her only Oscar nomination, but "Shanghai Express" was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and it won the Oscar for Lee Garmes' cinematography. It never worked up much heat for me, and if I'm being honest, I have to admit that Dietrich wasn't much of an actress. She had screen presence to spare, certainly, and I can see why her brand of European exoticism enraptured audiences at the time, but this whole film is a bit dull and she's part of the reason for it.
Grade: B-
The previous year's "Morocco," also directed by Josef von Sternberg, brought Dietrich her only Oscar nomination, but "Shanghai Express" was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and it won the Oscar for Lee Garmes' cinematography. It never worked up much heat for me, and if I'm being honest, I have to admit that Dietrich wasn't much of an actress. She had screen presence to spare, certainly, and I can see why her brand of European exoticism enraptured audiences at the time, but this whole film is a bit dull and she's part of the reason for it.
Grade: B-