The Shanghai Story (1954) – Film Noir Behind the Bamboo Curtain

The Shanghai Story (1954) – Film Noir Behind the Bamboo Curtain

The communists round up all the foreigners living in Shanghai and imprison them in a hotel. Major Ling Wu (Philip Ahn) plans to hold the group until a spy is found. He is so mean he shoots the pet dog of one of the prisoners. Ahn is probably best known for playing Master Kan on “Kung Fu” from 1972 to 1975.

The main character is Dr. Dan Maynard, played by the great noir actor Edmund O’Brien. Maynard is friendly with sailor Knuckles Greer (Richard Jaeckel). One mystery is why the beautiful Rita King (Ruth Roman) can come and go as she pleases. Maynard believes that she is being helped by police chief Colonel Zorek. Zorek is played by Caucasian Marvin Miller. Miller used his deep baritone base in a number of Film Noirs.

Wu sends Sun Lee (Victor Sen Yung) to kill one of the prisoners. Maynard and Greer stop the killing. Yung is best known as Hop Sing, the cook on “Bonanza” from 1959 to 1973.

Ling attempts to rape Leah De Verno (Yvette Duguay), who is newly married. This is very similar to the storyline of newlywed Annina Brandel (Joy Page) in Casablanca (1942).

The small girl who had her dog murdered needs to go to the hospital. Rita is forced to submit this to Zorek to make it happen. Very Casablanaish.

Maynard finds out that Paul Grant (Whit Bissell) has a radio transmitter and is indeed the spy. Grant plans to escape and meet a waiting submarine. Maynard and Knuckles go along on the escape. Grant tells Maynard the coded messages on their way to the submarine. Grant is killed on the way, but Maynard and Knuckles deliver the message to the sub.

Back in Shanghai, Zorek is executed by his superiors for allowing the escape. Major Strasser has been shot. Round up the usual suspects. Rita leaves the hotel, and Maynard comes out of the dark to find her. He realized she was not a collaborator.

Louis, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The Shanghai Story (1954) – Discount Casablanca (1942)