Paramount pulls no punches in demonizing the Chinese with its take on honor and revenge by way of tradition in Daughter of the Dragon. Featuring the ultra exotic rare Asian lead, Anna May Wong and iconic "yellow peril" heavy before going Charlie Chan, Warner Oland (of Swedish descent), director ( mostly known for character actor portrayals) and writers infuse them with an unquenchable desire for vengeance.
Seems Fu Manchu never got along with the occidental Petrie's but after offing a couple Fu supposedly ended up the same way. Turns out though he's actually alive and his daughter, showstopper May Ling is charged with taking up with Petrie whacks after Manchu is once again offed. May Ling swears revenge for her father but finds herself conflicted about following throuh. Meanwhile detective Ah Kee ( played by Japanese native, Sessue Hyakawa) falls for May as well.
Made with typical sultry Paramount ambience Dragon's exotic undertones are not enough to make up for its far fetched coincidences and secret doors. Wong is alluring but the rest of the cast not very convincing with the exception of E. Allyn Warren (another westerner) who oozes his nothing but venom for the West and women. Daughter of the Dragon offers a fair share of interesting, esoteric compositions but not enough to overcome its silly haunted house improbabilities.
Seems Fu Manchu never got along with the occidental Petrie's but after offing a couple Fu supposedly ended up the same way. Turns out though he's actually alive and his daughter, showstopper May Ling is charged with taking up with Petrie whacks after Manchu is once again offed. May Ling swears revenge for her father but finds herself conflicted about following throuh. Meanwhile detective Ah Kee ( played by Japanese native, Sessue Hyakawa) falls for May as well.
Made with typical sultry Paramount ambience Dragon's exotic undertones are not enough to make up for its far fetched coincidences and secret doors. Wong is alluring but the rest of the cast not very convincing with the exception of E. Allyn Warren (another westerner) who oozes his nothing but venom for the West and women. Daughter of the Dragon offers a fair share of interesting, esoteric compositions but not enough to overcome its silly haunted house improbabilities.