West of Shanghai

Theatrical Release Poster

Country	USA
Directed by	John Farrow
Release Date	1937
Studio	Warner Bros.
Distributor	Warner Bros.

Main Cast
Character	Actor
General Wu Yen Fang	Boris Karloff
Jane Creed	Beverly Roberts
Gordon Creed	Ricardo Cortez
Jim Hallet	Gordon Oliver
Lola Galt	Sheila Bromley
Myron Galt	Douglas Wood
General Chow Fu-Shan	Vladimir Sokoloff
General Ma	Tetsu Komai

West of Shanghai is a 1937 B&W adventure movie directed by John Farrow and adapted from 1920 theatrical play "The Bad Man" by Porter Emerson Browne. The plot is set in 1930s China, torn apart by the battles of warlords. A group of Americans travel to a remote town in Northern China. The goal of the competing businessmen Gordon Creed (Ricardo Cortez) and Myron Galt (Douglas Wood) is a promising oilfield built up by Jim Hallet (Gordon Oliver). Creed also wants to see his estranged wife Jane (Beverly Roberts) who is working in the missionary hospital. Meanwhile the town is taken over by the troops of self-proclaimed General Wu Yen Fang (Boris Karloff).

The film is the third of four screen adaptations of the original play. The plots of three other films, all titled The Bad Man (1923, 1930 and 1941), are set in Mexico during the era of Pancho Villa.

The following weapons were used in the film West of Shanghai:

Handguns

Luger P08 "Marine"

General Wu Yen Fang (Boris Karloff) and his bodyguard Mr. Cheng (Richard Loo) carry Luger P08 "Marine" pistols.

Luger P08 "Marine" model - 9x19mm

Cheng stops Creed from entering in General's room.

Fang's pistol in holster on the table.

Jane Creed (Beverly Roberts) draws the pistol from the holster.

Strangely, in this scene a different Luger is used. It has a short but doubtless sawed-off barrel, without the muzzle ring and the front sight.

When Jane aims at Fang, the pistol is again a "Marine" model with 6" barrel.

Jane holds the pistol.

Fang aims at Gordon Creed.

When the pistol fires, the jointed arm doesn't move, revealling the muzzle flash being pyrotechnic effect.

Cheng fires his pistol.

Fang fires his pistol.

Colt Model 1903/1908

In the final scene Gordon Creed (Ricardo Cortez) holds a Colt Model 1903/1908 pistol.

Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol Blued - .32 ACP

Gordon Creed aims a pistol at Jim Hallet.

Gordon Creed (Ricardo Cortez) holds the pistol on a promotional image.

Unidentified revolvers

Revolvers of unclear models are seen in hands of Jim Hallet (Gordon Oliver) and Fang's officer Captain Kung Nui (Chester Gan).

Capt. Kung Hui raises his revolver on Jim Hallet.

Jim Hallet holds a revolver in the night scene. Judging by the shape of the frame, this is possibly a Smith & Wesson Military & Police.

Jim is captured by Fang's soldiers.

Rifles

Springfield 1873 "Trapdoor" Carbine

Most of General Fang's soldiers are armed with Springfield 1873 "Trapdoor" Carbines (too antique guns for 1930s, even in China).

First year Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor - 45/70

A soldier at the left holds a Trapdoor carbine.

The soldiers drag the unconscious Jim Hallet.

Soldiers capture Jim and his manservant when they try to escape. The Trapdoor carbine is seen at the left.

Soldiers with Trapdoor carbines.

A sentry on the wall holds a Trapdoor carbine.

Fang's soldiers retreat from the town gates under the attack of General Ma's troops.

Trapdoor Springfield Rifle

General Ma's soldiers are armed with full-length rifles that are seen mostly in distance. Those guns that are seen more or less clear are supposed to be Trapdoor Springfield Rifles.