This silent pic has a young American washed ashore in Asia and rescued by beautiful local Anna May Wong. One thing leads to another, but eventually he goes home to the USA, leaving his Chinese wife behind with a baby on the way. Obviously inspired by Mme Butterfly but set in China, rather than Japan, it has no singing but that's OK.
Victoria saw this 10 yrs ago at MOMA, with no music. In 12/01 it has played Turner Classic Movies as part of the "Treasures from American Film Archives" package, from a nicely-restored Tech print and with a musical score added. (I hope she didn't miss it!) The very end of the pic is lost, but there is a resourceful solution which actually works effectively. Little-known picture is definitely worth your time, and not just for the novelty of seeing a silent in 2-strip Technicolor.
Wong is terrific in the lead and the film is very well made by director Franklin -- not exactly a household name at my household, but a competent helmer with a nicely understated touch. The pictures aren't quite Maurice Tourneur but the performances could be. Cast is small, with just 3 principals plus a child and a couple of character women, and all do fine work here. TOLL is also newly available in a DVD set paralleling the "Treasures" special feature on TCM, and there are many other gems, large and small, in the package, but this particular picture really is a treat.
