Shanghai Express (1932)
Marlene Dietrich: Shanghai Lily
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Quotes
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Mr. Henry Chang : All the money in the world can't wipe out his insult to me.
[Shanghai Lily tries to shoot him]
Mr. Henry Chang : You only had my interest before. Now you have my admiration. I could love a woman like you.
Shanghai Lily : You made me an offer to leave with you. Does it still hold good?
Mr. Henry Chang : I wouldn't trust you from here to the door. What assurance have I you won't trick me?
Shanghai Lily : I give you my word of honor.
Mr. Henry Chang : A man is a fool to trust any woman, but I believe a word of honor would mean something to you.
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Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : [Shanghai Lily reads a telegram] From one of your lovers?
Shanghai Lily : No.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I wish I could believe you.
Shanghai Lily : Don't you?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : No.
Shanghai Lily : Will you never learn to believe without proof?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I believe you, Madeline.
Shanghai Lily : [She hands him the telegram] When I needed your faith, you withheld it. And now when I don't need it, and don't deserve it, you give it to me.
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Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Well, it was nice to see you again, Madeline.
Shanghai Lily : Oh, I don't know.
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Shanghai Lily : Do you want to be alone, Doctor?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : No, it's quite all right. I was just going to turn in, anyway.
Shanghai Lily : Don't let me detain you. I thought it was quite early. What time is it?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Nine-thirty.
Shanghai Lily : You still have the watch I gave you, Donald.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I was afraid you'd notice it.
Shanghai Lily : I had long hair then.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I remember quite well.
Shanghai Lily : Do you expect to stay in Shanghai a while?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I think so.
Shanghai Lily : Then we ought to see a lot of each other.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Perhaps.
Shanghai Lily : What have you been doing, Donald, since I saw you last?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Nothing much. Mostly service routine. Couple of years in India after our smashup. Then I went back to England for a while. Then I was assigned to a scientific expedition in Manchuria.
Shanghai Lily : Sounds as if you had been rather lonesome, Doc.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I can't say I was very lonesome. It was an active life, full of interest and excitement.
Shanghai Lily : I suppose you mean women.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : It was difficult to find someone to take your place.
Shanghai Lily : Did you try very hard?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Not particularly. I didn't want to be hurt again.
Shanghai Lily : Always a bit selfish, Doc, thinking of your own hurt.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I can't accept your reproach. I was the only one hurt.
Shanghai Lily : You left me without a word, purely because I indulged in a women's trick to make you jealous. I wanted to be certain that you loved me. Instead, I lost you. I suffered quite a bit, and I probably deserved it.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I was a fool to let you go out of my life.
[They kiss]
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I wish you could tell me there'd been no other men.
Shanghai Lily : I wish I could, Doc, but five years in China is a long time.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I wish I had 'em back.
Shanghai Lily : What would you have done with them? There's a scheme of things. Sooner or later, we would've parted anyway. And we might never have met again.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : We wouldn't have parted, Madeline. We'd have gone back to England, married, and been very happy. There are a lot of things I wouldn't have done if I had those five years to live over again.
Shanghai Lily : There's only one thing I wouldn't have done, Doc.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : What, for instance?
Shanghai Lily : I wouldn't have bobbed my hair. Good night, Donald.
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Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Madeline.
Shanghai Lily : Well, Doctor, I haven't seen you in a long time. You haven't changed at all, Doctor.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Well, you've changed a lot, Madeline.
Shanghai Lily : Have I, Doc? Do you mind me calling you "Doc," or must I be more respectful?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Ah, you were never respectful, and you always did call me "Doc." I didn't think I'd ever run into you again.
Shanghai Lily : Have you thought of me much, Doc?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Let's see. Exactly how long has it been?
Shanghai Lily : Five years and four weeks.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Well, for five years and four weeks, I've thought of nothing else.
Shanghai Lily : You were always polite, Doc. You haven't changed a bit.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : You have, Madeline. You've changed a lot.
Shanghai Lily : Have I lost my looks?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : No. You're more beautiful than ever.
Shanghai Lily : How have I changed?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I don't know. I wish I could describe it.
Shanghai Lily : Well, Doc, I've changed my name.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Married?
Shanghai Lily : No. It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : So you're Shanghai Lily.
Shanghai Lily : The notorious white flower of China. You heard of me, and you always believed what you heard.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : And I still do. You see? I haven't changed at all.
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Shanghai Lily : [She sees Hui Fei holding a knife] Don't do anything foolish.
Hui Fei : When are we leaving?
Shanghai Lily : I wish I knew. I suppose as soon as Captain Harvey comes down.
Hui Fei : If he's up there, he may never come down.
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Shanghai Lily : Why are you still holding Captain Harvey? The train is waiting for him.
Mr. Henry Chang : Is that your only interest in the matter?
Shanghai Lily : What difference would it make whether I said yes or no?
Mr. Henry Chang : Why do you try to conceal that you are madly in love with him?
Shanghai Lily : I'm not trying to conceal anything. He means everything in the world to me. I love him. Since you want to know, I love him madly.
Mr. Henry Chang : Your affections are aroused rather swiftly. You just met the man.
Shanghai Lily : That's not true. I've known him for years.
Mr. Henry Chang : Well, you'll have a chance to prove your love for him.
Shanghai Lily : You're not going to punish him for trying to help me last night?
Mr. Henry Chang : I certainly am. He knew what he was doing, and I know what I'm going to do.
Shanghai Lily : Any man would have come to my defense. You can't hold that against him.
Mr. Henry Chang : I'm not concerned with your ideas of justice. I live by my own code.
Shanghai Lily : What do you intend to do with him? You don't dare harm him. You promised to return him.
Mr. Henry Chang : I didn't say in what condition. If you wait here a few minutes, you can lead him back to the train, blind.
Shanghai Lily : You're insane. He's a British officer. The Chinese government will have your head for it.
Mr. Henry Chang : The Chinese government would have had my head long ago if it hadn't been such a good head.
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Mrs. Haggerty : I heard your gramophone, ladies, and thought I'd come in and get acquainted, if you don't mind.
Shanghai Lily : Not at all. Come in.
Mrs. Haggerty : It's a bit lonely on the train, isn't it? I'm used to having people around. They put my dog in the baggage car. That's why I dropped in on you. I've been visiting my niece in Peking. She married a seafaring man. He hasn't been home in four years, and she ain't been very cheerful. I have a boardinghouse in Shanghai. Yorkshire pudding is my specialty, and I only take the most respectable people.
Shanghai Lily : Don't you find respectable people terribly... dull?
Mrs. Haggerty : You're joking, aren't you? I only know the most respectable people. You see, I keep a boardinghouse.
Shanghai Lily : What kind of a house did you say?
Mrs. Haggerty : A boardinghouse.
Shanghai Lily : Oh.
Mrs. Haggerty : I'm sure you're very respectable, madam.
Hui Fei : I must confess I don't quite know the standard of respectability that you demand in your boardinghouse, Mrs. Haggerty.
Mrs. Haggerty : I've made a terrible mistake. I'd better look after me dog.
[She bumps into the Reverend Mr. Carmichael]
Mrs. Haggerty : I beg your pardon.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : I beg yours.
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Shanghai Lily : I was hoping that you would take us in to dinner. You seem upset, Doctor.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Oh no, not at all.
Shanghai Lily : This is Captain Harvey. Miss Hui Fei.
Hui Fei : I'm glad to meet you, Captain Harvey.
[She puts out her hand]
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : [He bows but does not take her hand] It's a great pleasure.
Sam Salt : Good evening, folks.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Good evening.
Sam Salt : [Patting Hui Fei's shoulder] Time to put on the nosebag.
Hui Fei : [to Shanghai Lily] I'll wait for you in the diner.
Major Lenard : Bon appétit, mademoiselle.
Shanghai Lily : Merci beaucoup, monsieur.
Major Lenard : Bon appétit, monsieur.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Thank you, Major.
Major Lenard : Et bonsoir.
Shanghai Lily : Bonsoir.
Major Lenard : Bonsoir.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Good evening, Major.
Shanghai Lily : You're very cruel, Doc.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I reserve the privilege of choosing my friends.
Shanghai Lily : She's no friend of mine. I was only trying to be decent.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Oh, professional courtesy?
Shanghai Lily : Call it what you like.
[She touches one of his medals]
Shanghai Lily : New, isn't it?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Yes.
Shanghai Lily : Bravery?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Oh, of sorts.
[He touches her brooch]
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : That's new too, isn't it?
Shanghai Lily : Yes.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : It's very becoming.
Shanghai Lily : Merci, monsieur.
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Mr. Henry Chang : Have you any wealthy or influential friends?
Shanghai Lily : No. I have no friends at all.
Mr. Henry Chang : Why are you going to Shanghai?
Shanghai Lily : I want to buy a new hat.
Mr. Henry Chang : I warn you, this is a very serious matter. Where are you going to live in Shanghai?
Shanghai Lily : Grand Hotel.
Mr. Henry Chang : How can you afford to live at such an expensive hotel?
[She shrugs]
Mr. Henry Chang : How long were you in Peiping?
Shanghai Lily : Eight weeks.
Mr. Henry Chang : And before that?
Shanghai Lily : In Shanghai.
Mr. Henry Chang : How long were you there?
Shanghai Lily : Just between trains. I make the trip quite often.
Mr. Henry Chang : How long have you been in China?
Shanghai Lily : Oh, about eight years.
Mr. Henry Chang : Parents living?
Shanghai Lily : They have forgotten me. It's just as well.
Mr. Henry Chang : Of course, you're not married.
Shanghai Lily : No. All I managed was to become engaged.
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Mr. Henry Chang : I took the liberty of presuming that you'd join me for tea.
Shanghai Lily : I hope you don't mind if I prefer to go back to the train.
Mr. Henry Chang : About two days' journey from here into the interior, I have a palace waiting to be graced by your presence. Could I persuade you to accept my hospitality until such time as you should grow weary of me?
Shanghai Lily : I'm weary of you now.
Mr. Henry Chang : I had no reason to believe my invitation would give offense to Shanghai Lily.
Shanghai Lily : Shanghai Lily has reformed.
Mr. Henry Chang : You don't mean to say that the eloquence of Dr. Carmichael has worked this miracle? Or is Captain Harvey to be credited with this extraordinary change?
Shanghai Lily : Maybe.
Mr. Henry Chang : Come, don't be a fool. I'll make it worth your while.
[He backs her against a door and puts a hand on her hip]
Shanghai Lily : Don't touch me.
Mr. Henry Chang : [Harvey enters] Captain Harvey, if I were you, I'd mind my own business.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Exactly what I intend to do.
[He knocks Chang down]
Mr. Henry Chang : You are very fortunate in having Captain Harvey for a protector, as I've promised to return him alive.
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Shanghai Lily : [after Hui Fei is dragged away] Can't you do something about this?
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : All I can do is to suggest that you get down on your knees and pray.
Shanghai Lily : I think you're right, if God is still on speaking terms with me.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : God remains on speaking terms with everybody.
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Mr. Henry Chang : Your friend seems inclined to doubt me. Tell him you're going with me of your own free will, so that he can peacefully take his departure before I become too annoyed with him.
Shanghai Lily : You better go, Donald. I decided to accept his offer.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Well, I wish you both a very pleasant journey.
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Shanghai Lily : Thank you, Donald.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I'd have done it for anybody.
Sam Salt : Boy, how about straightening up this stable?
[the porter speaks Chinese as he answers Salt's call, leaving Hui Fei smoking a cigarette in her compartment]
Shanghai Lily : I didn't believe I'd ever see this train again. Two days more. What time is it anyway?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I don't know. I'll find out for you if you wish.
Shanghai Lily : Where's your watch?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I had it before I went into the station. I probably lost it there, together with a few ideals. I don't think I'll go back for it. After all, it's only a watch.
Shanghai Lily : I can't replace your ideals, but I'll buy you another watch when we get to Shanghai.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Don't bother. I'm rather glad I lost it.
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Shanghai Lily : I don't know if I ought to be grateful to you or not.
Hui Fei : It's of no consequence. I didn't do it for you. Death canceled his debt to me.
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Reverend Mr. Carmichael : I'd like to talk to you alone.
Shanghai Lily : I don't wish to talk to anybody.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : I'm sorry to have to insist, but I must talk to you.
Shanghai Lily : If you're thinking of reforming me, you might as well save yourself the trouble.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : I'm not trying to reform you. I'm not trying to reform anybody right now. All I want is to settle something that's been puzzling me all day. Why did you decide to leave with that barbarian who was killed by her this morning?
[Hui Fei and Carmichael exchange glances as she leaves the compartment]
Shanghai Lily : What makes you want to know? Curiosity?
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : You prayed last night, probably for the first time in years. This morning, you were to shamelessly leave with Chang. There's something wrong there. You can't tell me that a human being can do two things like that within six hours.
Shanghai Lily : Although it's nobody's affair but mine, I might tell you if you promise not to repeat it.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : Of course I won't repeat it. I came in here to find out for myself. I'm not interested in the others.
Shanghai Lily : He was going to deprive Captain Harvey of his eyesight. I had no other choice.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : Does Captain Harvey know that?
Shanghai Lily : Does he act as if he did?
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : He certainly does not. Despite the fact that I gave you my word not to tell anyone, I'm going to tell him this.
Shanghai Lily : You're not going to do anything of the kind. Mr. Carmichael, it may seem odd for me to use your language, but it's purely a question of faith. You see, once upon a time we loved each other. We parted, and I threw my life away because I didn't care to bargain for love with words. I haven't changed since them, and neither has he.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : You're still in love with him, aren't you?
Shanghai Lily : Yes.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : Is he still in love with you?
Shanghai Lily : I doubt it.
Reverend Mr. Carmichael : You're right. Love without faith, like religion without faith, doesn't amount to very much. I don't suppose I can help you.
Shanghai Lily : No.
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Shanghai Lily : You haven't a cigarette, have you, Doc?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : You appear to be nervous. Sleep would do you more good.
Shanghai Lily : What makes you think I'm nervous?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : For one thing, your hands are trembling.
Shanghai Lily : That's because you touched me, Doc.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I've been wanting to talk to you, Madeline. Mr. Carmichael tells me you prayed for me last night. I can't quite reconcile that with what followed. If you did pray for me, which I doubt, do you mind telling me why?
Shanghai Lily : I would have done that for anybody, Doc. Good night.
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[last lines]
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : Forgive me for following you a moment ago, Madeline. I was afraid of losing you.
Shanghai Lily : I was only buying you another watch.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : What good is a watch without you?
Shanghai Lily : I wish I could replace everything else, too. Good-bye, Donald.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I'm not going to let you out of my life again, Madeline. Everything else has become so unimportant. I don't care whether you were going to leave with another man or not, nor do I want to know the reason. What I want is another chance for a new start. I'll be different. You'll never have any cause for regret. Please forgive me for my lack of faith. Please do. I know I've no right to ask you even to listen to me.
Shanghai Lily : It's very easy to listen to you, Donald. You know I love you. I always have and I always will.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : I don't deserve that. I know I behaved badly.
Shanghai Lily : Perhaps it was my fault. I should have told you everything.
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : There's only one thing I want you to tell me, Madeline.
Shanghai Lily : What's that?
Captain Donald 'Doc' Harvey : How in the name of Confucius can I kiss you with all these people around?
Shanghai Lily : But Donald, there's no one here but you and I. Besides, many lovers come to railroad stations to kiss without attracting attention.