Half Way to Shanghai (1942)
A murder occurs on a train bound for Shanghai during World War II.
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You won't be disappointed!
Memorable, crazy movie
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
There's air raids. Nazis, speeding trains and all sorts of danger around on this hour long rollercoaster ride, made in the midst of World War II and showing how the war could be fun. It's all about a group of passengers on a train dealing with various secrets, among them a bunch of fifth columnist spies determined to get their secrets to their various Nazi organizations, and it's pretty clear from the beginning, who is who. Pretty Irene Hervey is the secretary to the aggressive Charlotte Wynters, obviously up to no good and not too discreet in letting her anti-American feelings be known. George Zucco, just by his sinister presence, is also instantly suspicious, while missionary's Mary Gordon and Oscar O'Shea seem to be emulating the Strauss's from the Titanic, refusing to get under a table during an air raids. It's up to Hervey and handsome Kent Taylor to unmask the Nazis, while the ensemble provides a mixture of suspicion and comic relief. Poor Willie Fung, the Asian Willie Best, is as stereotypical cowardly and effeminate, providing uncomfortable comic relief. Henry Stephenson, J. Edward Bromberg and Fay Helm are others among the big cast in this fast moving adventure that won't win any awards, but certainly doesn't warrant any boo's either. It's a lot of fun from start to finish, the type of film that will keep you glued to the screen.