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IMDbPro

The Toll of the Sea

  • 19221922
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 54m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
844
YOUR RATING
The Toll of the Sea (1922)
DramaFamilyFantasy
While visiting China, an American man falls in love with a young Chinese woman, but he then has second thoughts about the relationship.While visiting China, an American man falls in love with a young Chinese woman, but he then has second thoughts about the relationship.While visiting China, an American man falls in love with a young Chinese woman, but he then has second thoughts about the relationship.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
844
YOUR RATING
    • Chester M. Franklin
    • Frances Marion(story)
  • Stars
    • Anna May Wong
    • Kenneth Harlan
    • Beatrice Bentley
    • Chester M. Franklin
    • Frances Marion(story)
  • Stars
    • Anna May Wong
    • Kenneth Harlan
    • Beatrice Bentley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos9

    Kenneth Harlan and Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)
    Priscilla Moran and Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)
    Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)
    Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)
    Beatrice Bentley, Kenneth Harlan, Priscilla Moran, and Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)
    Kenneth Harlan, Priscilla Moran, and Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)
    Kenneth Harlan and Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)
    Anna May Wong in The Toll of the Sea (1922)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anna May Wong
    Anna May Wong
    • Lotus Flower
    Kenneth Harlan
    Kenneth Harlan
    • Allen Carver
    Beatrice Bentley
    Beatrice Bentley
    • Barbara Carver
    Priscilla Moran
    Priscilla Moran
    • Little Allen
    • (as Baby Moran)
    Etta Lee
    • Gossip
    Ming Young
    • Gossip
      • Chester M. Franklin
      • Frances Marion(story) (scenario)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The seventh color feature, the second Technicolor feature, the first color feature made in Hollywood, and the first color feature anywhere that did not require a special projector to be shown.
    • Quotes

      Old Chinese Gentleman: Whence comes this foreign face?

      Lotus Flower: Alone in my garden I heard the cry of wind and wave. I came hurrying fast - and he was here!

      Old Chinese Gentleman: Beware of this stranger! The sea is treacherous. His coming bodes no good!

    • Alternate versions
      In 1985, this film was restored using original negative materials, by Richard Dayton and Pete Comandini of the YCM Laboratories, and Robert Gitt of the UCLA Film and Television Archives, using funds from the AFI/NEA Film Preservation Program. Because the last 3-minute sequence of the Pacific Ocean was missing, it was re-shot using Frances Marion's titles from her scenario and an authentic 2-strip Technicolor camera. The film ran 53 minutes plus about one minute of explanatory information and restoration credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in Les premiers pas du cinéma - Un rêve en couleur (2004)

    User reviews29

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Anna May shines
    For a long time I only knew of this film for it's historical place as the earliest surviving 2 strip Technicolor film. I was curious to see it but expected little more than an interesting museum piece.

    A wonderful surprise then, to discover this version of Madam Butterfly, self produced by Technicolor, is a poignant gem of silent cinema, deserving much wider exposure than it's status as a technical first would indicate.

    On the technical side the colour is extremely attractive and well integrated into the story. Unlike some two colour films (The Viking, Show of Shows and King of Jazz) where colour correction is used to bring out blue's which originally photographed as silver grey, "Toll of the Sea" is authentic and unretouched, aside from the final lost sequence which had to be reshot in 1985. Since the process wasn't yet refined for filming in artificial light, the "interiors" in "Toll" are filmed in daylight. This is no drawback, however, since the real exteriors lend the film a freshness lacking from later studio bound works.

    Another big plus is that the makers actually cast an Asian actress in the central role, instead of going the route of say Broken Blossoms. Perhaps this was because few actors would risk working on such an experimental project, or perhaps the film makers wanted the film to be as authentic as possible. Either way it gives the film an honesty absent from Hollywood's occasional treatments of such themes.

    Sensitive direction and the wonderful performance of Anna May Wong, make this a particularly compelling piece. Although just 19, Wong's acting is both subtle and deeply felt. Witness the devastating moment when he tells her she can't come to America with him. The hurt and pain in Wong's face and eyes, which she bravely covers, could melt the stoniest heart. (I'll definitely keep an eye open for Wong's other work) Her leading man is somewhat stiffer but then his performance fits with the confused character he's playing.

    Even if like me, you start watching this for the colour, you'll swiftly be caught up in it's story and by the artistry of it's youthful star.
    helpful•23
    1
    • hamilton65
    • Jan 2, 2002

    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 22, 1923 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Production company
      • Technicolor
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 54 minutes
      • Silent

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