The Forbidden City (1918)

A Chinese mandarin hopes to regain favor with the Emporer by betrothing her to him, but he doesn't know she's secretly married to the American consul and pregnant.

Director:

Sidney Franklin

Writers:

Mary Murillo, George Scarborough (story)

Stars:

Norma Talmadge, Thomas Meighan, E. Alyn Warren

Cast

Cast overview:
Norma Talmadge	...	San San / Toy
Thomas Meighan	...	John Worden
E. Alyn Warren	...	Wong Li
Michael Rayle	...	Mandarin
L. Rogers Lytton	...	Chinese Emperor
Reid Hamilton	...	Lieutenant Philip Halbert

Storyline

The daughter of a Chinese mandarin is sentenced to death for her secret marriage to an American. Their child, raised in the mandarin's palace, grows up and escapes to seek her father, now a high-ranking official in the Philippines.

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Plot Keywords:

mandarin | secret marriage | dual role | interracial baby | melodrama | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1918 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Tale of the Forbidden City

Filming Locations:

Select Studios, Bronx, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Norma Talmadge Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Joseph M. Schenck presents Norma Talmadge in a Beautiful Production

East meets west when Chinese made-up Norma Talmadge (as San San) falls in love with visiting United States consulate Thomas Meighan (as John Worden). Mr. Meighan is the answer to her prayer, "Oh, Buddha, please send love-man here to give me million sweet kisses." Their "forbidden" union produces an interracially grown-up Ms. Talmadge (as Toy), who falls in love with another American, Reed Hamilton (as Philip Halbert). But, Talmadge's dark past threatens their relationship, as Mr. Hamilton's surprisingly prejudiced guardian refuses to bless the union.

Despite featuring two of the biggest stars of the silent era, Talmadge and Meighan, and a very capable director, Sidney Franklin, "The Forbidden City" fails to make too much of an impression. The locales and sets are nice, especially during the early scenes. The moon is an appropriate eternal image. Talmadge's prayer to Buddha, and declaration "I American - I no need ancestors!" make the film more amusing than dramatic.

***** The Forbidden City (10/6/18) Sidney Franklin ~ Norma Talmadge, Thomas Meighan, Reed Hamilton