# Shanghai Express

> 1932 film by Josef von Sternberg

**Wikidata**: [Q1543253](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1543253)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Express_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shanghai-express

## Summary
Shanghai Express is a 1932 American drama and romance film directed by Josef von Sternberg. It was released on February 2, 1932, and February 12, 1932, by Paramount Pictures.

## Key Facts
- Shanghai Express is a 1932 film directed by Josef von Sternberg
- The film was released on February 2, 1932, and February 12, 1932
- It is classified as both a drama film and a romance film
- The film was produced by Paramount Pictures, an American film studio founded in 1912
- Shanghai Express won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1932
- The film has 34 sitelinks on Wikidata
- Its Wikipedia title is "Shanghai Express (film)"

## FAQs
What type of film is Shanghai Express?
Shanghai Express is classified as both a drama film and a romance film, combining elements of both genres in its storytelling.

Who directed Shanghai Express?
Josef von Sternberg directed Shanghai Express, which was released in 1932.

Which studio produced Shanghai Express?
Paramount Pictures, an American film studio founded in 1912 and headquartered in the United States, produced Shanghai Express.

What awards did Shanghai Express win?
Shanghai Express won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1932, recognizing its exceptional visual achievement.

## Why It Matters
Shanghai Express represents a significant achievement in early American cinema, particularly in the pre-Code era of Hollywood filmmaking. The film's success at the Academy Awards demonstrated the growing sophistication of American cinematography in the early 1930s. As a collaboration between director Josef von Sternberg and Paramount Pictures, it exemplifies the studio system's ability to produce high-quality, award-winning films during this period. The film's dual classification as both drama and romance also reflects the era's experimentation with genre blending, which would influence future filmmaking approaches.

## Notable For
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1932
- Being directed by renowned filmmaker Josef von Sternberg
- Its release during the pre-Code era of Hollywood
- Combining drama and romance genres effectively
- Being produced by Paramount Pictures, one of Hollywood's major studios

## Body
### Production and Release
Shanghai Express was produced by Paramount Pictures, one of the major American film studios that has been operating since 1912. The film was released in early 1932, with two specific release dates: February 2, 1932, and February 12, 1932. This dual release date suggests the film may have had a limited initial release followed by a wider distribution, which was common practice for major studio productions of that era.

### Genre Classification
The film is classified under two distinct genres: drama film and romance film. This dual classification indicates that Shanghai Express successfully combines dramatic storytelling with romantic elements, creating a hybrid that appeals to audiences interested in both serious dramatic narratives and romantic storylines. The film's ability to bridge these genres demonstrates the versatility of early 1930s American cinema.

### Critical Recognition
Shanghai Express achieved significant critical recognition by winning the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 1932. This award, which was established in 1929, represents one of the highest honors in American filmmaking. The cinematography award specifically recognizes the film's visual excellence, suggesting that Shanghai Express featured exceptional camera work, lighting, and overall visual composition that set it apart from other films of its time.

### Director and Studio
The film was directed by Josef von Sternberg, a prominent filmmaker of the early Hollywood era known for his distinctive visual style and sophisticated approach to filmmaking. The production was handled by Paramount Pictures, which was founded in 1912 and has its headquarters in the United States. Paramount's involvement indicates that Shanghai Express was a major studio production with significant resources behind it.

### Historical Context
Released in 1932, Shanghai Express came during the early years of sound cinema and the pre-Code era of Hollywood, before the strict enforcement of the Production Code began in 1934. This historical context is significant because it suggests the film may have featured content or themes that would have been restricted under later censorship guidelines. The film's success during this period demonstrates the creative freedom that filmmakers enjoyed before the implementation of more stringent content regulations.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023458/)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=2623.html)
3. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/shanghai-express/31370/)
4. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-2623/)
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [Source](http://www.virtual-history.com/movie/film/503/shanghai-express)
7. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1933)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. Shanghai Express. Rotten Tomatoes
10. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023458/releaseinfo/)
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023458/technical/)
12. Kinopoisk
13. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/shanghai-express/)
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/37266)
16. Online-Filmdatenbank
17. Bechdel Test Movie List
18. mymovies.it
19. The Movie Database
20. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/92778)
21. Trakt.tv
22. FilmVandaag.nl