Dishonorably discharged from the Army Air Corps, Brad Dunham (George Raft) disconsolately decides to try his luck with Shanghai's postwar black market. Teaming with the treacherous Tamara Baranoff (June Havoc), Dunham prospers in his newly-found illicit profession, much to the dismay of his best friend, reporter Mark Andrews (Tom Tully). When Tamara has the troublesome Andrews murdered, Dunham realizes the folly of his behavior and works overtime to squash the black market for good and all.
Acting
June Havoc's Tamara: treachery wrapped in fur and flawless side-eye.
Production
Shanghai sets built on Paramount backlots—exoticism via smoke and shadows.
Direction
Edwin Marin's workmanlike craft keeps the plot tighter than it deserves.
Director
Edwin L. Marin
George Raft
Brad Dunham
June Havoc
Mme. Tamara Baranoff
Helena Carter
Linda Parker, alias Linda Arnold
Tom Tully
Marc Andrews
Marvin Miller
Ramon Perez
Jay C. Flippen
Mike, the bartender
Philip Ahn
Louie Chin
Charles Lane
Hotel Desk Clerk
Marc Krah
Nicco
Nancy Hsueh
Mia, orphan girl
Nan Wynn
Dinner Club Singer ['Intrigue']
Michael Ansara
Ramon's Radio Man
Phil Taylor
Eddie Lane (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
June Havoc was 'Baby June' in vaudeville, Gypsy Rose Lee's sister—her transition to femme fatale is its own American tale.
This was one of multiple 'Shanghai noir' films Hollywood rushed out before the Communist victory made China a political minefield for studios.
US
