On March 4 1987, Shanghai Surprise was released on home video.
The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film a 1 star rating:
“Shanghai Surprise is so dismally scripted and directed that no one could redeem it… an atmospheric, handsomely shot and, sadly, utterly empty piece of work.”
On January 5 1989, Madonna filed for divorce from Sean Penn citing “irreconcilable differences” at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Los Angeles, California.
Madonna’s publicist at the time, Liz Rosenberg, made this statement:
“I can only tell you that there will definitely be no further comment from either Mr. Penn or Madonna on this subject.”
On December 22 1986, an exclusive interview with Madonna conducted by Simon Bates was broadcast on BBC Radio 1 in the U.K.
Madonna discussed her upbringing, her formative years as an artist, her work ethic, her marriage with Sean Penn, the press, Shanghai Surprise and more.
Listen to the full broadcast interview here:
On September 2 1985, Madonna and Sean Penn are featured on the cover of People Magazine with the headline: Madonna Weds Sean.
Here’s a snippet of the article inside People:
The World Watches (From Afar) as the Pop Princess Takes Reclusive Film Star Sean Penn on a Walk to the Altar. From above the bluffs of Point Dume, Malibu, a half-dozen choppers filled with photographers sent down a windy backwash and a constant din. Below, at the huge wooden gates fronting real-estate developer Dan Unger’s $6.5 million home, blue-blazered guards oversaw an I.D. check of all who entered, while inside others prepared for the evening ahead by arming themselves with infrared binoculars to scan the perimeter for intruders. One interloper—an Italian photographer in camouflage gear and blackened face who had been hiding in the shrubbery since 1:30 in the morning—was ejected and his pictures of the blessed event were destroyed.
On August 17 1960, Sean Justin Penn was born.
On August 13 1985, Madonna and Sean Penn got their marriage license.
On June 24 1985, Madonna and Sean Penn announced that they would marry on August 16, 1985.
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