“Shanghai Express” Screens September 17 at The Last Picture House
Davenport, IA - The german American Heritage Center’s “From Hitler to Hollywood” film series continues with a screening of Josef von Sternberg‘s 1932 classic, Shanghai express, on Wednesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. at The Last Picture House, 325 East Second Street, Davenport.
The film, starring Marlene Dietrich as the infamous Shanghai Lily and Clive Brook as Captain Donald “Doc” Harvey, tells the story of a former couple reunited on a train journey through dangerous, civil war-torn China. When Harvey is taken hostage, Lily is driven to extreme measures to secure his release.
Shanghai Express is lauded for its striking black-and-white cinematography and currently holds a 96% “freshness” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. New York magazine included the film on its 2020 list of “The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars.” The screenplay, by Jules Furthman, is based on Henry Hervey’s story “Sky Over China,” inspired by the 1923 Lincheng Incident where a warlord captured a train and held passengers for ransom.Critics have praised the film’s lavish production design. Senses of Cinema described it as a “riotous exercise in excess in every area; the visuals are overpowering and sumptuous; the costumes ornate and extravagant; the sets a riot of fabrics,light and space; and all of it captured in the most delectable black-and-white cinematography that one can find anywhere.”
Admission is $15, with guests selecting their seats upon arrival.Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the German American Heritage Center’s programming. Additionally, $1 from every Twin Span draft beer purchase will be donated to the museum.
Guests are asked to check in at the German American heritage Center table in the lobby. For more information, call (563)322-8844 or visit GAHC.org.
