Untold Story: Madonna & George Harrison's 'Shanghai Surprise'

Was George Harrison, the "Quiet Beatle," anything but quiet when it came to his personal life? Rumors have long swirled about Harrison's relationships, and a recent resurgence of interest suggests Madonna might have been one of many significant encounters.

The buzz stems from renewed attention on "Shanghai Surprise," the ill-fated 1986 film that united Madonna and her then-husband Sean Penn with Harrison, who served as executive producer through his Handmade Films. The film, a romantic comedy set in 1930s Shanghai, stars Madonna as a missionary seeking a stash of opium and Penn as a fortune hunter who assists her. Paul Freeman and Richard Griffiths also featured in the movie.

The movie revolves around a missionary woman who enlists a fortune hunter's help to find 1100 lbs of opium, crucial for morphine needed to treat the wounded. The storyline, however, often took a backseat to the off-screen drama and the film's ultimate critical failure.

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Promotional efforts for "Shanghai Surprise" brought Madonna and Harrison together, including a press conference held on March 6, 1986, at Kensington Roof Gardens in London. The event became memorable not only for discussing the film but also for Madonna's defiant response to questions about her and Penns behavior toward the British press. When asked to apologize, Madonna retorted, "I have nothing to apologize for," a statement that did little to endear her to the media.

Critics were less than kind. Film professor Michal Conford of Ryerson University, in a review for the San Jose Mercury News, gave the film a half-star rating, sarcastically noting, "Shanghai Surprise stars Madonna and Sean Penn for the first time and has songs by George Harrison. That is the most positive sentence that can be written." The movie became synonymous with cinematic missteps.

Behind the scenes, the production was reportedly tumultuous. Allegedly, George Harrison had to travel to Asia to mediate conflicts involving Sean and Madonna Penn. Despite the challenges, the production values of the film were considered good, and some observers noted that Sean and Madonna gave respectable performances.

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"The Inner Light," a song by The Beatles written by George Harrison, encapsulates the spiritual side of the musician. This introspective bent often contrasted sharply with the chaotic world of film production and celebrity relationships.

In an interview with ew.com, Harrison discussed his multifaceted interests, including music, movies, spiritualism, and, of course, Madonna. It provided a glimpse into the quieter, more thoughtful side of the man behind the music and the movies.

Handmade Films, established by Harrison in 1978, was instrumental in producing cult classics such as "Time Bandits," "Monty Pythons Life of Brian," "Mona Lisa," and "Withnail and I." The company allowed Harrison to support unconventional projects that mainstream studios might have avoided.

For those familiar with George Harrison beyond his "Quiet Beatle" persona, the rumors of his dalliances come as no surprise. He was known to have had affairs throughout his life and possessed a noted weakness for women, fueling speculation about his connection with Madonna during the "Shanghai Surprise" era.

In 1986, the newlywed Sean Penn and Madonna were cast as lovers in "Shanghai Surprise," produced by George Harrison's Handmade Films. This collaboration placed Harrison and Madonna in close proximity during the production, further stoking the gossip mill.

Madonna herself has reflected on her time with George Harrison during the filming of "Shanghai Surprise." Despite the films failure, she acknowledged the unique experience of working alongside the former Beatle, adding a layer of personal insight to the movie's narrative.

The film was a flop, a fact that those close to Harrison suggested he "never quite recovered" from. The disappointment of such a high-profile failure reportedly affected him deeply, casting a shadow over his later ventures.

George Harrison reportedly quipped that Madonna "helped herself" to his "Living in the Material World" title for her "Material Girl" song. Though different in style, the songs share thematic undertones of materialism versus spiritual fulfillment, a recurring theme in Harrisons life and work.

The title song of "Shanghai Surprise," like the film itself, was largely forgotten. The songs in the film were written by George Harrison. The "La Isla Bonita" singer, Madonna, looked stunning while attending the press conference for "Shanghai Surprise" alongside Sean Penn and George Harrison.

George Harrison took on the role of producer for the film, marking a significant investment of his time and resources into the project that ultimately failed to resonate with audiences or critics.

On March 26, 2020, Harrisons son Dhani posted a new recording of "The Inner Light" on The Beatles official YouTube channel, reminding fans of Harrisons enduring musical legacy and spiritual depth.