All shadow details are lost in darkness. A second print is still slightly contrasty and soft, but retains better shadow detail and is the best material utilized. A third print is grayed out, with no detail remaining in highlight areas, but this print is only used for one shot. Usually, this new edition of the Essanay films does a very good job of presenting them at proper running speed. We don't understand this lapse of control.
Some compression artifacts are visible in the opening shot of the film.
Overall, this story of bank janitor Charlie turning from a heel to a hero in the eyes of secretary Edna still plays well on a casual viewing. This is an isolated case where the surviving materials have slightly compromised our total enjoyment of this funny comedy. There are several funny moments in the film, most of them gags centered around eating while the sea rocks the boat violently. As many as three separate prints have been utilized to reconstruct Shanghaied. In the video transfer they are easily identified.