Shanghai Express
Director: Josef von Sternberg
Year Released: 1932
Rating: 3.0
Superb drama set on a train bound for Shanghai during the Chinese Civil War - it's less about politics and more about Dietrich's sullied reputation, and her effect on men (they talk of her as if she were a criminal and even give her a nickname: "Shanghai Lily"). Marlene is allowed to act in this one - something she didn't do much of in Morocco - and the film follows her on her quest for respect and salvation (she offers herself as a sacrifice for love interest Clive Brook). Such niggling details as 'who is going to kill the Chinese rebel' are taken care of by Anna May Wong, who stalks around in near-silence and is followed by a trail of her own smoke.
