{{Short description|1931 British film by Guy Newall}} {{about|the film|the popular song of the same name|The Geisha}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox film | name = Chin Chin Chinaman | image = Chin_Chin_Chinaman_film_Theatrical_release_poster_(1931).jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Guy Newall | producer = Julius Hagen | writer = Guy Newall <br> Brock Williams | narrator = | starring = {{ubl|Elizabeth Allan|Leon M. Lion|George Curzon}} | music = | cinematography = Basil Emmott | editing = Jack Harris | studio = Real Art Productions | distributor = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | released = {{Film date|1931|11|}} | runtime = 57 minutes | country = United Kingdom | language = English | budget = | gross = }} '''''Chin Chin Chinaman''''' (U.S. title: '''''The Boat from Shanghai''''') is a 1931 British crime film directed by Guy Newall and starring Elizabeth Allan, Leon M. Lion and George Curzon.<ref name="BFIsearch">{{Cite web |title=Chin Chin Chinaman |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150138103 |access-date=20 February 2026 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}}</ref> It was written by Newall and Brock Williams.
==Plot== {{No plot|date=February 2026}}
==Cast== * Elizabeth Allan as Countess Olga Dureska * Leon M. Lion as the Mandarin * George Curzon as Colley * Picot Schooling as Marie * Dino Galvani as Dolange * Douglas Blandford as Captain * Henry B. Longhurst as Purser * Ley On as Chinese servant
==Production== The film was made at Twickenham Studios as a quota quickie for release by MGM.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wood |first=Linda |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-british-films-1927-1939.pdf |title=British Films, 1927–1939 |publisher=British Film Institute |year=1986 |pages=71 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016015016/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-british-films-1927-1939.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2022}}</ref> The film's sets were designed by the art director James A. Carter.
==Reception==
''The Daily Film Renter'' wrote: "This decidedly original British production, a more than useful Quota booking for any hall, deserves a better title; otherwise, despite some slight crudities in detail, it calls for praise on most counts. Guy Newall has put over an essentially theatrical but very effective mystery story with a light directorial touch, and an exploitation of picturesque peculiarities of race and diction which make it a really intriguing entertainment. ... Leon M. Lion's portrayal of the sauve Chinaman, and the cleverly maintained mystery of the various characters, are the outstanding features of an unassuming but really fresh effort."<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2 September 1931|title=Chin Chin Chinaman|id={{ProQuest|2594632992}}|magazine=The Daily Film Renter|volume=|issue=1420|pages=4}}</ref>
''Kine Weekly'' wrote: "The plot is unoriginal, but it works out satisfactorily, and has a novel twist. ... Leon M. Lion makes up quite well as the Chinaman. Elizabeth Allen is sufficiently alluring and mystifying as the Countess, while George Curzon is good as the polished crook. There is nothing remarkable about Guy Newall's direction; but he keeps things on the move, and succeeds in condensing pleasant dramatic diversion into a small compass."<ref>{{Cite journal|date=3 September 1931|title=Chin Chin Chinaman|id={{ProQuest|2640078410}}|magazine=Kine Weekly|volume=175|issue=1272|pages=41}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb title|0021741}}
{{Guy Newall}}
Category:1931 films Category:British crime films Category:1931 crime films Category:Films shot at Twickenham Film Studios Category:Films directed by Guy Newall Category:Quota quickies Category:British black-and-white films Category:1931 English-language films Category:1931 British films Category:English-language crime films