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IMDb > Shanghai Surprise (1986)
Shanghai Surprise
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Shanghai Surprise (1986) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
2.6/10   2,382 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jim Goddard
Writers:
John Kohn (screenplay) &
Robert Bentley (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Shanghai Surprise on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 August 1986 (USA) more
Tagline:
A romantic adventure for the dangerous at heart.
Plot:
Glendon Wasey (Sean Penn) is a fortune hunter looking for a fast track out of China. Gloria Tatlock... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Star Wars pair named worst screen couple in new poll
 (From BoxWish. 10 February 2009, 3:50 AM, PST)

Madonna's Brother Heads For Feature Films
 (From Cinema Blend. 28 November 2008, 2:36 PM, PST)

User Comments:
It's actually much worse than you've heard--and that's the only surprise more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Sean Penn ... Glendon Wasey

Madonna ... Gloria Tatlock
Paul Freeman ... Walter Faraday
Richard Griffiths ... Willie Tuttle
Philip Sayer ... Justin Kronk

Clyde Kusatsu ... Joe Go
Kay Tong Lim ... Mei Gan
Sonserai Lee ... China Doll
Victor Wong ... Ho Chong
Professor Toru Tanaka ... Yamagani San
Michael Aldridge ... Mr. Burns
Sarah Lam ... China Doll's Maid
George She ... Wu Ch'En She
Won Gam Bor ... Rickshaw King
To Chee Kan ... China Doll's Boatman
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
97 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Australia:M | UK:12 (DVD rating) | UK:15 (original rating) | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-16 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12
Filming Locations:
Hong Kong, China more
Company:
HandMade Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Producer John Kohn originally wanted Tom Hanks for the lead role. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Wasey and Miss Tatlock catch up with Faraday in the ship's cabin, the amount of shaving-foam on Faraday's face varies between shots. more
Quotes:
[first title card]
Title Card: Shanghai 1937
Title Card: The Year of the Japanese Occupation
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Christina Aguilera/Maroon 5 (#29.13)" (2004) more
Soundtrack:
Hottest gong in town more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 10 people found the following comment useful:-
It's actually much worse than you've heard--and that's the only surprise, 23 April 2007
1/10
Author: moonspinner55 from redlands, ca

In 1938 China, a pretty but prim missionary needs to find a hidden stash of smuggled opium (for medicinal purposes!) and attempts to recruit the help of a ratty-looking con-man; his latest get-rich-quick scheme is glow-in-the-dark ties! After an OK opening (without Sean Penn and Madonna), this falls completely apart, weighed down by lethargic attempts at screwball comedy and no chemistry whatsoever between the leads (then a married couple). Based on Tony Kenrick's novel "Faraday's Flowers" (a better title), this failure from George Harrison's HandMade Films must have been a devastating blow to the ex-Beatle, who also executive produced, co-wrote the score and wrote and performed the songs (which are heavy on the camp-Asian allure). Just getting through the picture is a chore, and everything about it seems eternally misjudged. NO STARS from ****

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Shanghai Surprise (1986)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
this movie is NOT as bad as people say pudwhacker
Not the worst movie ever stephaniebrown
Maybe I should try this again? rob-hart
NEW special edition DVD! york74
DVD oscarandmuzi
Goofy choice of words marshall_neal
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