The Shanghai Gesture (1941)

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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. This is a reworking of a slideshow vid about the film that I posted a year or so ago. 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!

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Entertainment

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• Shanghai
• Gesture
• Gene
• Tierney
• Victor
• Mature
• OneTrueMedia

[miltsar]

Oh my God ! Thank you for this....thank you thank you thank you...will you ever have complete film ?

Music perfect !

[motherginsling]

I love everything about this movie, obviously!

[Tommiboy193]

Is it just me, or were the actors and actresses more attractive in the past, in the golden era of Hollywood?

Gene Tierney was a real beauty and Victor Mature looked like a Roman god.

[victormaturenet]

Thanks so much for sending this! Victor and Gene Tierney are so great together! I'm going to go and add it to Victor's favorites right now! Thanks again! :)

[Muirmaiden]

@edwardjames50, the song is "Taboo" by Les Baxter and his Orchestra.

[edwardjames50]

@shanghaibenny2 ~ What IS the music, does anyone know? It's haunting, and perfect for this tribute.

[edwardjames50]

@miltsar ~ The music, I agree, is undeniably perfect. The movie is being shown on TCM today, as part of a 24 hour tribute to the dazzling Miss Tierney. I also bought a pristine print of the movie on DVD via Amazon.

[dogiehogan]

This Film-Noir is great. Though still needs a restored DVD/Blu-ray transfer.

Gene looks breathtaking (al always)!

[Rolfe2009]

This is so well put together! Enjoyed it VERY much!

Perfect music! Tierney is amazing!

Thanks so much for sharing this vid with me!

Thumbs up! Lady E --[--@

[shanghaibenny2]

Great. You nailed down the music and images.

[aitch3]

I really like Gene Tierney as a bad girl, than those good girls she played in the Night and the City and Where the Side Ends.  Laura was sort of both kinds I guess....