Military history · Full documentary · 25:21
Cup 27 — The Shanghai Bowl (Full Film)
The Shanghai Bowl’s wartime concealment, recovery and family connection to Cup 27.
About this film
A twelve-chapter documentary following the Shanghai Bowl’s story, its wartime concealment and recovery, and the family connection to Cup 27.
Other versions of this story
Start with the twelve-chapter documentary, or open the short narrated trailer below.
Behind the film
The history & the evidence.
The Shanghai Bowl connects the 31st Infantry’s time in China with silver hidden on Corregidor and recovered after World War II. The regimental inventory lists Edwin J. MacNamara among the names engraved on Cup 27.
- 1945 documents reproduced in a later regimental historyThe burial and recovery correspondence Appendix E, printed pages E-5–E-7 (PDF pages 153–155), reproduces the orders, unsuccessful first dig and letter reporting the silver’s eventual recovery.
- Published regimental inventoryFind Edwin’s name on Cup 27 Printed page E-16 (PDF page 164) records the cup’s maker, 1932 date and inscriptions, including “EDWIN J. MACNAMARA / LT / INF.”
- Firsthand diaryEarl Short’s wartime diary Short’s own account of captivity and his return in 1945. His diary supplies the human background; the excavation details come from the correspondence above.
The soundtrack
Music credits
Contemporary instrumental score generated through Runway; edited and mixed for the film.