Incident in Shanghai
Incident in Shanghai

Movie spotlight

Incident in Shanghai

1938
Movie
67 min
English

An unhappy wife falls for an injured pilot.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Director: Jean YarbroughGenres: Mystery, Crime

Plot Summary

A young lawyer arrives in Shanghai to represent a client, only to find himself embroiled in a complex murder investigation. He must navigate the city's shadowy underworld and corrupt officials to uncover the truth before he becomes the next victim. The case involves stolen jewels, double-crosses, and a host of suspicious characters.

Critical Reception

As a B-movie from the late 1930s, 'Incident in Shanghai' received modest critical attention upon its release. Contemporary reviews often highlighted its fast-paced plot and atmospheric setting, typical of Universal Pictures' low-budget mysteries of the era. While not a critical darling, it was generally seen as a competent and entertaining example of its genre, appealing to audiences looking for straightforward crime thrillers.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its brisk pacing and engaging mystery elements.

  • Noted for its effective use of its exotic Shanghai setting.

  • Considered a solid, if unexceptional, example of a pre-war crime film.

Google audience: Audience reviews for this film are scarce due to its age, but it is generally appreciated by fans of classic mystery and crime dramas for its straightforward storytelling and period atmosphere.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on a relatively tight budget, utilizing studio sets to recreate the bustling atmosphere of 1930s Shanghai.

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