Outside the Law

Recently released Blu-Ray Kino Lorber "Outside the Law" (1920) starring Priscilla Dean, Wheeler Oakman, Lon Chaney, Sr. (in two rôles), E. Alyn Warren, Ralph Lewis, John George, Stanley Goethels, and others (including an uncredited Anna May Wong and two of her sisters), is standard fodder for early twentieth century stories about criminal activity in Chinatown, San Francisco, but this is played out in an exceptionally exciting manner. The fight at the end is one of the best fight scenes I've ever seen in any film. The 1926 re-release totally gets rid of this scene! This "restored" version of the 35mm original print is superb, though it possibly has a couple of minor little scenes missing or partly missing. Not sure about that, but it seemed so while I watched. I've watched this film three times before, first on VHS (twice), then once on DVD. Never has it looked as good to me as this version, which is very sharp and so clear until near the end where there is some serious nitrate deterioration. Of course the deterioration is disturbing, but none of the plot seems to be excised as a result, and we can follow it just fine. One thing which struck me very clearly this time was how much Priscilla Dean in this film reminded me of early Barbara Stanwyck. She even looked like her in some scenes. She really did a super job of portraying her part here. Wheeler Oakman was very good himself, as were all the others, but...Lon Chaney not only stole every scene he was in, he simply proved why many consider him the finest actor of all time on film. He's superb to the hilt. As "Black Mike", the evil gangster of the area, he's just as mean as mean can be. His face could be a monster of hatred when he so chose to make it one. But he also plays a foil in the guise of a Chinois servant named Ah Wing. Beautifully acted! This is highly recommended for any Chaney fan. Recommended otherwise, too; though, I will admit I found it disturbing three or four times when the intertitles wiggled and blurred, then wiggled back into place. Shouldn't have happened. Still, the picture itself never did, and it was exceptional in Blu-Ray.

With a sometimes hard-to-follow storyline, "Outside the Law" begins with some observations from a famous Chinese philosopher. Confucius said, "If a country had none but good rulers for a hundred years, crime might be stamped out and the death penalty abolished." This view lives through the ages, and brings us to the present setting of filmmaker Tod Browning's crime drama, "On the crest of a yellow torrent" to "the Orient of America" in San Francisco's Chinatown. The poppy-smoked streets and alleys are a haven for crime, but trusty Chinese do-gooder E. Alyn Warren (as Chang Low) is attempting to reform underworld mastermind Ralph Lewis (as "Silent" Madden).

Elsewhere, forces are plotting against Mr. Lewis' reformation. Fearsome and vengeful Lon Chaney (as "Black Mike" Sylva) arranges for Lewis to be framed for killing a cop during a shoot-out. Nasty business. Next, Mr. Chaney plans to lure Lewis' strong-willed daughter Priscilla Dean (as Molly "Silky Moll" Madden) into participation in a jewel heist. But Chaney's sticky-fingered friend Wheeler Oakman (as "Dapper Bill" Ballard) decides to team-up with Ms. Dean and escape with the booty. As the film plays, we see Dean and Mr. Oakman as a possible romantic couple. Oakman develops a fatherly relationship with a "Kid Across the Hall" (Stanley Goethals). Confucius approves.

This is a nicely-produced film. The actors are much more natural that you might assume, with Mr. Browning's direction being an obviously positive factor. The problem is that the story, while a good one, unfolds in a confusing manner and seems to leave out details regarding the characters' relationships and motivations; we must make assumptions. "Yellow-face" watchers note Chaney also plays Mr. Warren's devoted servant; both men use the standard tape method to achieve their "slant eye" effect. There is some obvious film deterioration during the climax (making it look like a fire is also blazing!) but the film's basic integrity is intact; still photographs reveal beautiful detail.

Also note the words "you dirty rat!" often wrongly attributed to James Cagney are written herein for Chaney.

****** Outside the Law (12/26/20) Tod Browning ~ Priscilla Dean, Lon Chaney, Wheeler Oakman, Ralph Lewis

This is an awesome film, Lon Chaney is so creepy looking as the gangster 'Black Mike'. When Lon Chaney is on the screen you can't get your eyes off of him, his facial expressions and body gestures speak a thousand words. Not only was he brilliant as the gangster he also plays another role as a chinese servant, (a somewhat similar role he would reprise 2 years later in the film Shadows) the transformation is astonishing! Thats why he is called a man of a thousand faces!

The story is about Black Mike's attempt to frame an affluent citizen in a crime, and then have him turn against the law because of his time spent in jail as an innocent. Most of the story focuses on the man's daughter who turns to a life of crime by stealing some expensive jewelry. There is tons of swindling and double crossing in this film.

This Film Directed by 'Freaks' Director Todd Browning is a tense thriller that can still keep you riveted to your seat. It is most saddening that many of Lon Chaney's films are lost, the quality is pretty bad on this one with last reel being totally washed out. Something must be done to restore all of these films or we will loose an integral part of film history, and one of best actors ever!

Silky Moll (Priscilla Dean) is a renowned thief and the daughter of gang boss Silent Madden (Ralph Lewis). They're friends with Chinatown businessman and personal counselor Chang Lo (E. Alyn Warren), who has convinced them both to go legit and leave their life of crime. Rival gangster Black Mike Sylva (Lon Chaney) needs Silky Moll's skills for a jewel heist, so he concocts a frame-up on her dad that drives the angry young woman back into the life. However, fellow criminal Dapper Bill Ballard (Wheeler Oakman) gives Silky the lowdown, and the two of them steal the jewels for themselves. They go into hiding until things cool down, during which time they both reflect on the life they've lived and what their future holds. Chaney also plays Ah Wing, the Chinese servant of Chang Lo. Also featuring Anna May Wong.

There's a lot to applaud here, and also some to lament. On the positive side, both Dean and Oakman are terrific. They were a real couple at the time, and they have genuine chemistry. Dean, in particular, gives one of the most nuanced, multi-layered performances by an actress that I have seen from this period in film. One thing that helps is Browning's use of close-ups, allowing the performers to emote more naturally. Chaney is of course terrific, but this brings up the issues I have with the movie.

The only version that survives is a re-release from several years after the original premiere, and a good chunk of footage had been edited out, namely the majority of the sub-plot featuring the Chinese characters Chang Lo and Ah Wing, and it's a real shame, too, since, although still being played by Caucasian actors in "yellow-face", the Chinese are treated with respect, and Confucian philosophy and its strength are keys to the plot. What remains of the film is very enjoyable, though, and the climax is a surprisingly violent, fast-edited powerhouse. Recommended.

I have always been a fan of Lon Chaney, but I have never had the opportunity to see some of his early films. "Outside the Law", released in 1920 is one of his early gems.

Chaney at this time, had not yet achieved the stardom that he was to experience in a few short years. In this film, Chaney plays two supporting roles, that of a thug named "Black Mike" and a Chinese servant named Ah Wing. The hero and heroine are played by Priscilla Dean and Wheeler Oakman. I had not heard of Ms. Dean before this, but I can say that she gave an excellent performance. Oakman, who wound up in "B" westerns in the 30s, was good as well.

Chaney's characters are totally different and his makeup for the Ah Wing character is phenominal. It gives us a glimpse of kind of makeup artistry that we would experience in his future films.

The tape that I watched this film on was duplicated from a partially decomposed nitrate print, however most of the "bad film" is in the final reels but is still watchable.

In "Outside the Law", we can see the emergence of the genius that was Lon Chaney.