---
title: "Shanghai Surprise"
year: 1986
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/shanghai-surprise-1986"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 58048
imdb_id: "tt0091934"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 97
community_rating: 4.3
vote_count: 108
content_rating: "PG-13"
---

# Shanghai Surprise (1986) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/shanghai-surprise-1986

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Role: Meticulous television and film archivist.
Task: Write a factual, original 150-190 word overview of "Shanghai Surprise" (1986).
Constraints:
Use ONLY verifiable facts from provided SYNOPSIS and SOURCES.
No inventing/guessing (titles, names, dates, counts, awards, ratings, etc.).
Omit details not in the material.
Style: Original, neutral, encyclopedic prose, plain text.
No markdown (no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points).
First sentence must not contain spoilers.
Word count: 150-190 words.
Title: Shanghai Surprise
Year: 1986
Release Date (US): 08/29/1986
Rating: PG-13
Genres: Romance, Adventure, Crime, Comedy (or Romantic adventure)
Runtime: 1h 37m
Cast: Madonna (Gloria Tatlock), Sean Penn (Glendon Wasey), Paul Freeman.
Director: Jim Goddard.
Plot/Characters:
Glendon Wasey: A fortune hunter looking for a fast track out of China.
Gloria Tatlock: A missionary nurse seeking the curing powers of opium for her patients.
Plot: They go on a hectic, exotic, and romantic quest for stolen drugs. They face thugs and smugglers in Shanghai.
Draft 1 (Mental Outline):
        Shanghai Surprise is a

## The Hook & The Verdict

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus | YouTube Free, Tubi TV | Fandango At Home |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | Tubi TV | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | None | None | Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Jim Goddard
- **Networks / Studios**: Handmade Films, The Vista Organization

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Sean Penn** as *Glendon Wasey*
- **Madonna** as *Gloria Tatlock*
- **Paul Freeman** as *Walter Faraday*
- **Richard Griffiths** as *Willie Tuttle*
- **Clyde Kusatsu** as *Joe Go*
- **Philip Sayer** as *Justin Kronk*
- **Lim Kay Tong** as *Mei Gan*
- **Victor Wong** as *Ho Chong*
- **Professor Toru Tanaka** as *Yamagani San*
- **Michael Aldridge** as *Mr. Burns*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where can I stream or watch Shanghai Surprise online?
Shanghai Surprise is currently available to watch or stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel. Check our live regional availability tracker above for latest direct streaming, subscription, rent, or purchase options.

### Q: Is Shanghai Surprise worth watching?
Shanghai Surprise holds a community rating of 4.3/10 based on 108 verified viewer ratings. It offers engaging Romance, Adventure for fans of the genre.

### Q: How long is the movie Shanghai Surprise and when was it released?
Shanghai Surprise is a feature film with a runtime of 97 minutes. It was released in 1986. Release status: Released.

### Q: Who directed Shanghai Surprise?
Shanghai Surprise was directed by Jim Goddard.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Shanghai Surprise — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/58048)
- [Shanghai Surprise (1986) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091934/fullcredits/)
- [Shanghai Surprise - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Surprise)
- [Shanghai Surprise (1986) Cast & Crew | Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/shanghai-surprise/32046/credits/)
- [FILM: 'SHANGHAI SURPRISE'](https://www.nytimes.com/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*