I finally got to see Shanghai Express, which coincidentally was also my first movie with Anna May Wong, which I was TREMENDOUSLY excited about, and who did not disappoint. Oh man, her delivery of “I must confess. I don’t quite know the standard of respectability that you demand in your boardinghouse, Mrs. Haggerty” made me lose the entirety of my itness. This scene shows Dietrich and Wong working in unbelievably gorgeous, disreputable concert, and I wish to God this movie was 100% less about Orientalism and men and 100% more about the two of them going on a crime spree. But then, nothing this side of eternity is perfect.
(If you do decide to watch it, prepare yourself for a great deal of tiresome exoticizing and nearly-as-tiresome Clive Brook, but there are moments of transcendence, particularly when Marlene walks down the train corridor to borrow a cigarette and when Anna May says, “I didn’t do it for you. Death has canceled his debt to me.”)
Reminder to everyone that Dietrch had a plan to MURDER HITLER WITH A POSIONED COMB.
That’s the witchiest thing I’ve ever heard, I love it. Why did the Allies not provide Dietrich with a licence to kill.
It was a comb cause like, of course she’d have to be nude to seduce Hitler.
She also wanted to save King Edward from “that awful American woman” by …seducing him.
She did do some war work! She was very good at getting information out of German POWs with just a few flattering words.
What is happening with Marlene Dietrich’s EYEBROWS. Amazing.
I know! Anna May Wong’s are cool as fuck, but Marlene Dietrich’s are Too Too Witches.
Her eyebrows are exactly the eyeliner shape I always aim for, but can never quite manage.
I have no context for that movie clip, and I almost don’t care to, because it was a glorious bit of self-contained sass as is.
Okay but “I’ve made a terrible mistake. I better look after my dog.” is my new exit excuse, now and forever.
I would love to be either Marlene Dietrich or Anna Mae Wong, but I know in my hammy heart I want to deliver that line so desperately. Also bless the double delivery of “I beg you pardon!” “I beg yours!” in aggressive tones.
Oh, and everyone knows that there were rumours of a liaison amoureuse between Anna May and Marlene, right? Probably not true but I know what I believe.
Did those rumors originate on Tumblr?
This is 1000% Phryne Fisher’s favourite movie.
This is 1000% Phryne Fisher's favourite movie.
“Lost 100% of my itness” is one of my new favorite phrases.
Anna May Wong’s character is the real hero of the film, given that she’s the one who kills the villain and her rapist, but it’s Marlene’s character’s love story that gets the full treatment. That’s white privilege for you!
This is another example of why I’m going to miss The Toast so much.