Small at United Artists. By 1940, it was estimated there had been 32 previous attempts to film the play. Among the changes made to appease the censor was the replacement of the Japanese character of Prince Oshima with Dr Omar to avoid depicting miscegenation. Filming began on August 11, 1941. In the listing of actors in the opening credits is an ending title card honoring the extras reading, "And a large cast of 'HOLLYWOOD EXTRAS' who without expecting credit or mention stand ready day and night to do their best—and who at their best are more than good enough to deserve mention." Keye Luke painted the mural displayed in the casino. Reception Variety described it as "a rather dull and hazy drama of the Orient." "Victor Mature, as the matter-of-fact Arab despoiler of Tierney’s honor, provides a standout performance. Huston’s abilities are lost in the jumble, while Munson cannot penetrate the mask-like makeup arranged for her characterization." Oleg Cassini later said "Both Gene and I were hopeful," about the movie. "A prestigious director, a good cast... perhaps this would lead to other opportunities. But the film was an overwrought turkey destroyed by the critics, who gave Gene her first bad reviews. My costumes were not even mentioned in passing." In 2005, film critic Dennis Schwartz gave the film a positive review, writing, "Josef von Sternberg's (The Scarlet Empress/The Blue Angel/The Devil is a Woman) last great Hollywood film is based on a 1925 play by John Colton that required over 30 revisions ordered by the Breen Office censors before it was deemed acceptable. In one unreleased censored version, attributed to writer Jules Furthman, the blemished noirish character named Mother Gin Sling is instead named Mother Goddamn and runs a brothel instead of a casino. What remains from all the cuts is the surreal baroque setting--a gesture to the descent of mankind into the bowels of the earth--a casino designed like Dante's Inferno. Despite the forced changes, this is still a delirious masterpiece of decadence and sexual depravity that surrounds itself with Eastern motifs that are meant to mystify rather than enlighten." References External links The Shanghai Gesture at Film Noir of the Week by Sheila O'Malley The Shanghai Gesture informational site and DVD review at DVD Beaver (includes images) Still Photos from 'the Shanghai Gesture' by Ned Scott 1941 films 1941 drama films American black-and-white films Film noir Films directed