tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310089850643983278.post4734637135897265907..comments2024-03-09T15:51:52.794-08:00Comments on Bitterness Personified: Reflections on Shanghai Gesture (1941)bitter69ukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10182913922421674178noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310089850643983278.post-40103386940100474932013-02-28T16:06:34.196-08:002013-02-28T16:06:34.196-08:00Well, what a wild weird film. There was much to en...Well, what a wild weird film. There was much to enjoy - Ona Munsons visual persona stood out for me, as did the entire decadent look and feel of the flick. Mother Gin Sling was definitely "of" the Shangai depicted. I thought the atmosphere of the city was reminiscent of "Casablanca" - both places in flux where everyone and everything came and went. I loved the dialogue too, I must watch again and memorise some choice examples to re-use! And having just watched Skyfall the weekend before it was interesting to see another depiction of a Shanghai casino, seven decades apart. All in all, *definitely* a trip and one to keep on the DVR to surprise friends (and myself, again) with. Thanks again for the timely tip-off!GaryGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310089850643983278.post-10340612116306808722013-02-24T14:54:23.137-08:002013-02-24T14:54:23.137-08:00David Ehrenstein: Yes! The word "opium" ...David Ehrenstein: Yes! The word "opium" is mentioned just once in passing -- and yet Poppy's whole decline only makes sense in terms of opium addiction. Instead, it's like she's drugged on all-purpose "vice" and sex. Gene Tierney was never sexier than looking all debauched with a cigarette dangling bad girl-style from her lips. I actually rate Tierney highly as a fine, sensitive actress but she's raw and inexperienced in this early film and memorably terrible! I love her delivery of the line, "You're no more my mother than a toad!"<br /><br />GaryG: Tell me your verdict! Shanghai Gesture is trippy and a real experience. You will NEVER forget it.bitter69ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182913922421674178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310089850643983278.post-52310396596848211522013-02-24T10:35:56.077-08:002013-02-24T10:35:56.077-08:00How serendipitous - Shanghai Gesture is on Film4 a...How serendipitous - Shanghai Gesture is on Film4 at 11am tomorrow in the UK. Thank you for the tip!GaryGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310089850643983278.post-43052970696280295882013-02-24T10:04:40.324-08:002013-02-24T10:04:40.324-08:00Such a wild movie. It's all about Gene Tierney...Such a wild movie. It's all about Gene Tierney's descent into depravity through drugs. But because of the production code no drugs could be shown -- so Gene Tierney keeps asking for cigarettes. It's the ultimate move about cigarettes. DavidEhrensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016905507543736049noreply@blogger.com