Mr. Wu (1927)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

William Nigh

Writers:

Maurice Vernon (play) and
Harold Owen (play) ...

Release Date:

26 March 1927 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

SHE WAS GUILTY OF LOVE AND THE UNWRITTEN CODE OF THE EAST CRIED FOR VENGEANCE! (original poster - all caps)

Plot:

Raised by his grandfather to adhere to the ancient laws of China, Mandarin Wu is a strict authoritarian...

Plot Keywords:

Mandarin | Father Daughter Relationship | Offscreen Killing | Chinese | Melodrama

Cast

Lon Chaney	...	Mr. Mandarin Wu - Mr. Wu's Grandfather
Louise Dresser	...	Mrs. Gregory
Renée Adorée	...	Wu Nang Ping
Holmes Herbert	...	Mr. Gregory
Ralph Forbes	...	Basil Gregory
Gertrude Olmstead	...	Hilda Gregory
Mrs. Wong Wing	...	Ah Wong
Claude King	...	Mr. James Muir
Sonny Loy	...	Little Wu
Anna May Wong	...	Loo Song
Toshia Mori	...	Friend of Nang Ping (as Toshia Ichioka)

Runtime:

90 min (22.5 fps) | USA:91 min (2000 alternate version)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

For the hundred-year-old look, Wu Chaney build up his cheekbones and lips with cotton and collodion. Into his nostrils were inserted the ends of cigar holders and the long fingernails were constructed from strips of painted film stock. He used fish skin to fashion an Oriental cast to his eyes and grey crepe hair was used for the mustache and goatee. The make-up procedures took from four to six hours to apply.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Titus Andronicus (1999)

Chaney's Double Triumph

The terrible trial of MR WU begins with his daughter's first love.

Lon Chaney once again gives scope to his prodigious talent, this time portraying a wealthy Mandarin who is compelled to commit the ultimate crime to avenge his family honor. Chaney inhabits the role, making every glance & gesture perfect for his portrayal of the character. Even while performing despicable acts, Chaney makes the viewer experience his private pain in an almost visceral way. Chaney also portrays ancient Grandfather Wu in the film's opening scenes, exhibiting an astonishing make-up transformation that is practically preternatural.

Much of the screen time is given over to Chaney's younger costars. French actress Renée Adorée provides a beautifully poignant portrayal of Wu's lovely, tragic daughter. Englishman Ralph Forbes, one of the most under-appreciated actors of his generation, gives a stalwart performance as her handsome Western lover. The tender romance of their scenes provides the film with its softer, more sentimental moments.

Louise Dresser plays Forbes' patrician mother, a woman somewhat isolated by her social status who is suddenly, violently, brought into confrontation with Wu's implacable vengeance. Holmes Herbert does well with his short role as her bigoted husband. Delicate Anna May Wong portrays Miss Adorée's faithful servant girl.

The silent film is given excellent production values by MGM, with the beautiful sets being especially noteworthy.