The Shanghai Gesture

Film Description

Sternberg brings a world of seedy opulence to life in this underrated melodrama in the opulent tradition of his Dietrich films.

A young woman, Poppy, out for excitement in Shanghai, enters a gambling house owned by 'Mother' Gin Sling. Sir Guy Charteris, wealthy entrepreneur, has purchased a large area of Shanghai, forcing Gin Sling to vacate by the coming Chinese New Year. Under orders from Gin Sling, who has found out Poppy is Charteris' daughter, the smarmy Doctor Omar leads Poppy deeper and deeper into an addiction to gambling and alcohol. Gin Sling, realizing that Charteris was her long-ago husband who she thinks abandoned her, plans her revenge by inviting Charteris to a Chinese New Year dinner party to expose his past indiscretions. Charteris, however, has a suprise of his own to spring on Gin Sling.

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Related Genres

• Classic Movies / Drama
• Classic Movies / Film Noir