Question 1

How many attempts were made to turn the play into a film before this one?

Accepted Answer

There were an estimated 32 attempts to turn the play into a film, including one by Cecil B. DeMille.

Question 2

Why did Ona Munson initially hesitate to play Gin Sling?

Accepted Answer

Ona Munson was concerned because she was American, and Josef von Sternberg had to persuade her into taking the role after failing to get Gloria Swanson or Anna May Wong.

Question 3

What was the original play's setting and content that caused adaptation difficulties?

Accepted Answer

In the play, the setting was a brothel run by 'Mother Goddam', dealing with drug addiction and nymphomania. Many adaptations were rejected by the Hays office, and the Chinese consulate objected to the portrayal of Chinese.

Question 4

Which film is the last Hollywood film Josef von Sternberg completed?

Accepted Answer

The Shanghai Gesture is the last Hollywood film Josef von Sternberg saw through to completion; he was fired from Macao (1952) and Jet Pilot (1957).

Question 5

What unusual feature appears in the opening credits?

Accepted Answer

The opening credits feature an unusual call-out to extras.

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The Shanghai Gesture

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