Mr. Wu

Made by unaware people in a different time, this exotic treatment of China and the culture clash of east and west seems crude today and is especially fascinating to watch now, nearly a century later, given the meteoric rise of the sleeping dragon and 'yellow peril' fears exploited mostly by the political right. Browning would have pushed this material further into darker and more hysterical territory, but it's quite elegantly made, the sets are great and Chaney is magnetic in the titular role.

Lon Chaney and his disguises. Mr. Wu is a rather slow forbidden romance film between cultures as white man Ralph Forbes falls for Mr. Wu's daughter Renée Adorée. Not that gripping apart from a couple of more dramatic scenes and a little of that sweet cherry romance, so it takes a little patience. Still a fine middle of the road Lon Chaney vehicle, even if I can't help feel exchanging Adorée for Anna May Wong as the daughter would have helped the overall impression of the picture.

one of better chaney drama vehicles, it's pretty hokey at times, especially because the leading lady isn't asian. at least chaney put on some groovy looking makeup (as always). at any rate, here's one for you're list of silent to-watch movies.