There were many passengers of various and different backgrounds who were boarding into the first-class compartments, comprising the main principals of the film (including two ""fallen women""):Hui Fei (Anna May Wong), an Eurasian (but American-bred) prostitute, with a suspect background, who appeared to be running awayShanghai Lily (Marlene Dietrich), a European lady also with a questionable reputation (a "courtesan")Captain Donald Harvey (Clive Brook), a stalwart British medical doctor on a mission to operate on the Governor-General of ShanghaiReverend Carmichael (Lawrence Grant), a fervent Christian missionary, judgmental and impatientMrs." In the continual dance of cigarettes and match-lighting between Slim and Morgan, Slim strikes a match during the heated discussion and lights his cigarette for him.As he continued to crawl off he large statue, his profile with his own nose next to the statue""s huge outspread hand created a classic image - a monumental nose-thumbing gesture.WouId the idea interest you?...l shouldn""t be able to pay you much money at first, of course - eight pounds a week and expenses.Wearing only his bathrobe, he lies to the ""finance boys"" and tells hem that a friend borrowed his car (it""s actually hidden around he block behind Rudy""s Shoe Shine Parlor).