Shanghai Express

(Josef von Sternberg, US 1932, 82 min., 35mm)

Returning to the United States after years of working in Europe, Anna May Wong was cast in this Josef von Sternberg classic, dubbed “Grand Hotel on wheels.” Despite her success in Europe, Wong found that the roles in Hollywood were still often as the “Dragon Lady” - deceitful, villainous, and sexually alluring. She makes the most of her part here as Hui Fei, a passenger on a train carrying the notorious “Shanghai Lily” (Marlene Dietrich). With China in the midst of a civil war, the train is taken over by rebel forces looking for a hostage. Wong’s performance brings a measure of empathy to her role, making her much the equal of Dietrich.