Shadows

This interesting movie is very much a mixed bag. Lon Chaney gives another outstanding performance as Yen Sin, a Chinese man. With very little makeup, and a very expressive body, he gives us a sympathetic portrayal of a Chinese man who is not always treated nicely by the local townfolk. The screenplay is very daring for the time, as Asians were mostly portrayed as slant-eyed villains at the time, and Chinese were referred to as "Chinks". This is a very impressive production for a film that was not produced by a major studio.

On the other hand the direction of the film is mediocre. Director Tom Forman stages much of the action in long-shot. We rarely get a close-up view of Chaney or even Marguerite De La Motte, the heroine of this story.

This film is highly recommended for Lon Chaney, Sr. fans, and for those studying how American Cinema portrayed minorities in the 1920's.

This film doesn't land in the masterpiece category but it has all the essentials needed to make it entertaining and very worth watching. The story about love, spousal abuse,jealousy, cruel prejudice and extreme religious fervor are timeless ones which provide good roots for the plot to grow and branch out. Marguerite De La Motte's acting performance is just right with facial expression and gestures that convey their intent but are not overdone. I thought all the acting was pretty good but it is Lon Chaney who, of course, captures your heart and emotions with his portrayal of Yen Sin. His masterful skill is evidentas he maintains that hunched over posture throughout the film and makes you believe he is an old Chinese man with poignant expression while wearing considerably little make-up.

Yen Sin's character is one of depth. We are given insight to his kindness and selflessness on many occasions.His kindness to the little kitten (when he gives the kitten his new pillow and does without himself) is just one of many touching moments that give us an interest in this character which stays fervent until the film's end. I would recommend this film not only to Chaney fans, but to anyone who likes silents,as it is a picture with a moderate length, timeless topic, and great acting.

I am not that familiar with the films of Lon Chaney, Sr. I first saw this sometime in the 1960's on Chicago's local PBS station. As I was about 15 years old at the time, I didn't appreciate old films or silent films as I do now. I do remember that the main characters names were Sympathy and Malden. Malden was actually the hero's sir name, but he is referred to through as "Malden". The moralistic story hinges on the marriage of an idealistic minister to a woman recently widowed. There is intrigue and blackmail involved, and it is up to Lon Chaney to help set things straight. He gives a very touching performance as a Chinese. His expressive face puts forth a convincing performance as a lovely, gentle soul. The DVD transfer was acceptably clean and there is a generic classical musical score underlining this version. This film appealed to me a great deal, much more so than when I was a kid.

Yen Sin (Chaney) was washed ashore in a storm in the Christian fishing community of Urkey. Most of the Christian's there shunned him, pushed him around a bit, but Yen Sin found a friend in John Malden and a couple of others. He was considered to be a Heathen by most of the community but since Malden accepted him as a Christian brother most of the others reluctantly did the same. Yen Sin did laundry for most of them lived on a small houseboat while there. One day Yen got sick, was dying and the community wanted him to confess his sins - but Yen told them all I will if you will Nate Snow! Nate was forced to confess things he didn't want to do, same with Yen's friend Malden. In the end, Yen confessed and wanted to be left alone with God, all left him alone... he untied his boat and so he could sail back to China. Yen will be taken away as he entered - by a storm.

Great performances by all cast members, the story I liked better than I thought I would and I would recommend this one for fans of classic films. Very moving story in the end.

8.5/10

Chaney's performance as the chinese launderman is really the only thing lifting this film above the level of mediocre. Still, it provides a story with gothic overtones, albeit cliched ones. A woman (De La Motte, always competent) marries an evil seafarer who meets an early grave at sea; she marries the new town parson. But a jealous 3rd party convinces the parson that the first husband is still alive, blackmailing him in that man's name and driving him to stop sleeping with his wife (hence the gothic element of "true love thwarted"). It's up to Chaney, of course, to clear it all up and be "converted" (as usual, see "The Penalty") on his death-bed.

Chaney's make up is excellent, although not quite as astounding as his asian makeup for the later "Mr. Wu" (in which he appeared as 100 + years old). His playing is somewhat coy, in keeping with the tone of the film in general. As usual, we don't get to see as much of him as of the film's leading man, in this case the stolid Ford (slightly better than he usually is here).

Should be seen by Chaney fans, but may not be the best introduction to Chaney's art (as suggested by others) -- his gothic masterpieces being of course "The Unknown" and "He Who Gets Slapped" as well as the memorable "Unholy 3" and others. Unfortunately, this film ("Shadows") falls for me into the category of overblown films that feature excellent Chaney performances (such as "Phantom of the Opera" and "Hunchback of Notre Dame").