The Shanghai Gesture

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Josef von Sternberg's "The Shanghai Gesture" (1941), is a foreboding, mysterious and fascinating film set in Shanghai's underworld. Enter Victoria "Poppy" Charteris (Gene Tierney), a young woman who finds herself drawn to Mother Gin Sling's (Ona Munson), gambling den and begins a downward spiral into nymphomania, drug addiction and gambling. Her attraction to the emotionally distant but handsome Dr. Omar (Victor Mature), competing for his attention with a leggy, blonde American showgirl (Phyllis Brooks) and a secret between Mother Gin Sling and her father, Sir Guy Charteris (Walter Huston), who attempts to shut down Gin Sling's business, leads to shocking revelations and tragedy. The Hays Office objected to the film 32 times before it was cut enough to be deemed appropriate for release, since the subject matter was considered racy and taboo at the time. Fittingly, I chose Les Baxter's instrumental "Taboo" for the theme music. The movie is on DVD, although the print leaves a lot to be desired, maybe someday it will re-released in better condition. Happy viewing!

Category:

Entertainment

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• The
• Shanghai
• Gesture
• Les
• Baxter
• Gene
• Tierney
• Josef
• von
• Sternberg
• OneTrueMedia

[mpjrdldn]

I heard the character that Ona Munson played was an odd one.

[Muirmaiden]

Very odd. You'd never guess that she was the same actress who played Belle Watling in "Gone With The Wind".

[jess06]

she had such rough life, but she was sure beautiful. she is a great actress too.

[stripedshirts]

Gene Tierney was the kind of beauty that takes your breath away.

[carmenjones411]

I love your videos, so classic Hollywood!

[mpjrdldn]

I know! Guess that's acting.

[mpjrdldn]

Oleg Cassini, Gene Tierney's then-husband, designed her costumes.

[JubalCalif]

This is truly one of the oddest but yet strangely compelling flicks to ever come out of Hollywood. I rented it on home video (VHS) years ago & it's exotic images always remained with me. Part of that I'm sure is due to me being such a huge fan of two of its stars: Gene Tierney and Walter Huston. And it has amazing art direction, by the way! Truly fascinating sets. Thanks for posting this...love the images & the music!

[DarkCityFilmNoir]

looks awsome...and yes the music is cool!

[PsionicJedi]

Beautiful music.