Shanghai Express Quotes
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Source: Shanghai Express
Speaker: Shanghai Lily
It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily.
Context
This line is spoken by Shanghai Lily, played by Marlene Dietrich, in the film Shanghai Express, directed by Josef von Sternberg (1932).
A lot can happen in five years. That's how long it's been since British Medical Corps Captain Donald Harvey has seen his former flame, Magdalen, played by the ever-sultry Marlene Dietrich. Since then, she has a new name and a new job in the world's, um, oldest profession.
Magdalen explains her new career choice to her ex-beau by saying "It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily." Catch her drift? She's not going to spell it out for you.
Incidentally, the name "Magdalen" might have been a better clue about her profession. Anyone read the New Testament lately?
Where you've heard it
You've heard this if you're getting reacquainted with an old friend who is now a prostitute. (So yeah, you probably haven't heard it.)
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
It's nice to hear someone be refreshingly honest about her career choice.