Shadows Over Shanghai 1938

Sargoza shoots Roma’s biplane over an orphanage (China)

Igor Sargoza fires on Peter Roma’s biplane, sending it crashing near an orphanage in China. Roma is badly wounded and entrusts Irene with a broken amulet that must reach San Francisco. He explains that the other half lies there, and when reunited, it could fund munitions for China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Irene becomes the target of Sargoza as she carries the burden.

Irene learns of the amulet and Sargoza’s pursuit

Sargoza is still pursuing Irene, forcing her to move quickly. Irene misses the last ship evacuating foreigners and seeks out Howard Barclay for help. Barclay agrees to assist, proposing that he and Irene work together to reach San Francisco.

Barclay enlists Johnny McGinty to help Irene

Barclay’s friend Johnny McGinty, a photojournalist, is asked to help Irene. Johnny is eager to leave Shanghai the next day, and Barclay suggests they marry so Irene can be added to Johnny’s passport. They agree to the plan, knowing they can annul the marriage later in San Francisco.

Johnny is accosted and released at the border

Johnny is pulled from Barclay's path by a gun-wielding Chinese man and forced into Sargoza's car. Reaching the border of the international zone, Japanese officers stop the vehicle and release Johnny. Yokohama warns Johnny to stay away from Irene, then lets him go.

Irene and Barclay wed with Johnny present

Johnny finds Barclay and Irene at Wu Chang’s house, where a minister performs their marriage ceremony. The arrangement allows Irene to enter Johnny’s passport so they can travel freely. They anticipate a safe passage, though Sargoza remains in pursuit.

The wedding gift incenses and the amulet plan

Back at the hotel, a Mandarin incense burner arrives as a wedding present; it is delivered by a courier who is waylaid and a bomb is planted inside. Barclay suggests they hide the amulet in the incense burner to keep it safe. They proceed cautiously, aware that the gift could be a trap.

Japanese bombers strike Shanghai; the escape begins

Japanese bombers sweep across Shanghai, forcing the trio to flee. They escape to the home of Lun Sat Li for safety as the city descends into chaos. The danger escalates and evacuation becomes their only option.

Escape to Lun Sat Li’s home and boarding the evacuation ship

Sargoza and his men force their way into Lun Sat Li’s house; the trio escapes by a power launch through a trap door in the floor. They reach the ship that will evacuate American citizens and receive permission to board the following morning. The countdown to departure begins as they remain hunted.

Stateroom confrontation and the incense burner explosion

On the ship, Yokohama awaits in their stateroom and demands the amulet. He grabs the box from Irene and prepares to open it when Sargoza bursts in. Sargoza takes the incense burner from Yokohama, locks the four inside a room, and lights a candle to melt the seal and retrieve the amulet; the burner explodes, killing Sargoza.

Yokohama reveals Barclay’s true role and the embargo

Yokohama reveals that he orchestrated the interception and planted the bomb, and explains that Barclay is a Chinese agent empowered to purchase munitions with funds in San Francisco. He notes that President Roosevelt’s embargo has halted any government shipments to war nations, making the funds useless for their original purpose. The revelation shifts the stakes and complicates every plan.

Barclay passes the amulet to Irene and departs

Barclay says his goodbyes and secretly slips the amulet into Irene's hand, ensuring its safety for their journey. He and Johnny part ways, leaving Irene to finalize their risky voyage to San Francisco as a real married couple.