4. The Hot Streak Cools: Shanghai Surprise (1986) Becomes An Infamous Bomb
1986 proved to be a dramatic year for Harrison's movie output Mona Lisa was a big critical success, the Evening Standing British Film Awards gave the ex-Beatle a special award for his work in film and Handmade's most expensive film came out. It looked like Handmade might just become a major fixture in the industry. They had the money and distribution power to green light just about whatever they fancied. They'd just signed off their biggest budget and signed up their biggest stars for their next film. One of Handmade Films' most ambitious projects, Shanghai Surprise starring (then) hot couple Sean Penn and Madonna, quickly became the company's biggest disaster and media circus. It's somewhat fitting that the move from British independent film to the dizzy heights of Hollywood star vehicles - with all their costly productions and diva demands - would not suit Handmade or Harrison's tastes. A handful of original songs from the former Beatle and a cameo as a singer in the film couldn't save it. Shanghai Surprise flopped badly and was nominated for seven Golden Raspberry Awards, "winning" Worst Actress for Madonna. But Harrison didn't go down without a fight
Dave Lancaster
Despite a fear of using plastic cutlery and drinking overly milky brews, Dave is open to indulging in most other things at least once especially when it comes to movies and music.
10 of his favourite films are: Masaki Kobayashi's Hara-Kiri, Ingmar Bergman's Persona, Martin Brest's Midnight Run, Lawrence Kasdan's The Big Chill, Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thieves, Peter Medak's The Ruling Class, H.G. Clouzot's Les Diaboliques, Hector Babenco's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Fritz Lang's The Testament of Dr. Mabuse and Sidney Lumet's Network.
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Dave