Mr. Wu

Ancient Chinese custom gets the best of star Lon Chaney in this re-make of 1919's melodramatic "Mr. Wu". Mr. Chaney portrays both Mr. Wu; and, in an extended prologue, he's Mr. Wu's grandfather. Chaney is, as ever, wildly entertaining. The film is well-produced, with beautiful photography and sets; with, for its time, a starry supporting cast. The main story doesn't get started until Chaney struts his oriental stuff; it involves daughter Renée Adorée (as Nang Ping) having an out-of-her-race affair with Englishman Ralph Forbes (as Basil Gregory).

Mr. Forbes plays the Englishman enchanted by a lovely "China doll" well. Ms. Adorée is not as convincing in her Asian role; certainly, supporting player Anna May Wong would have been better cast as Wu's daughter. Louise Dresser (as Mrs. Gregory) is quite excellent as Forbes' mother; at first, her role seems small - but, keep your eyes on Ms. Dresser, who turns in a great performance without extraordinary make-up! Chinese culture is not presented very flatteringly, to Western filmgoers, in the end. Chaney (as Wu)'s declaration, "My poor little blossom - broken by an ill West Wind," evokes D.W. Griffith's superior "Broken Blossoms" (1919), which more artfully covered some of the same ground.

******* Mr. Wu (3/26/27) William Nigh ~ Lon Chaney, Louise Dresser, Renée Adorée

Mr. Wu (1927)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Lon Chaney plays a duel role as Mr. Wu and his grandfather. In the film, Mr. Wu (Chaney) believes in an old Chinese custom of marrying his daughter (Renee Adoree) into another Chinese family but the girl has fallen in love with an Englishman (Ralph Forbes). When the Englishman leaves the girl, Wu must seek revenge by killing the man, his family and his own daughter. For the first seventy-minutes this is a love story between the two kids with the vengeance aspect just showing up for the final twenty. Overall I was pretty disappointed with the film, although there's some good stuff in it. I think this is one of the weakest performances from Chaney that I've seen because he seems to forget the performance in exchange for the brilliant make up. Chaney's make up effects as the grandfather are simply marvelous and you can't even tell that it's Chaney under all that make up. Adoree comes off very well bringing an innocence that's easy to connect with. Forbes is also very good in his role and the supporting players are nice as well. I think the film would have benefited with a tighter script that kept the action moving better because the middle of the film is rather dull with not too much going on. Had this middle section been as entertaining as the first and third acts then the movie would be much more memorable. As it is, this movie is mainly watchable due to the great make up work from Chaney.

As a youngster in the 1950's I was in a library thumbing through a large movie book when I found a few pages dedicated to Lon Chaney,there were several photos of him in make-up. I just stared at the photos with a great interest.One of the photos that awed me was that of Mr. Wu,it and other characters were a sharp contrast to his natural features. Through the years I've been able to obtain some of the more common Chaney movies but only recently have I viewed this movie.It didn't take long to grab my attention,the opening credits were accompanied by a powerful music score that assured the viewer they were about to see a drama.Overall I would say the music for this video copy contributed to a solid 25% of my viewing enjoyment.Other points of the movie that made it enjoyable for me were: As in other of his movies Lon Chaney doesn't rely only on make-up to entertain an audience,he does his homework on his character and adds distinct mannerisms that fit the part he is playing.The human goodness of the daughter(Adore)the way she can make her father(Chaney) smile who otherwise is usually serious.Anna May Wong does not have a major part but when seen she has great screen presence.Louise Dresser another talented actress takes part in a very serious scene that let's the viewer know what acting is all about.Upon viewing the whole movie there is one stand-out and that is mr. Chaney,there is no doubt he is the star of the movie.One is left with the feeling that his performance reached out to the audience a little further than the others.It can be said this movie is about a young man(Forbes)meeting a young lady(Adoree) and falling in love. What makes the movie though is the result of this encounter.If I were to view this movie with someone other than family I'd want to make them aware some parts demean Asians in picture and word,take it out nothing is lost only gained.I only encourage people to watch movies that I like,this is one of them.

Good entertaining film but as a viewer I completely lost sympathy with the Lon Chaney character after the way he treated his servant for simply reporting a fact. The removal of that scene would make the picture much better. Louise Dresser is great, especially in the last Pre-Code scene which would never had been allowed during the Breen era after 1934. It is made plain that the mother has to choose between her son being executed or she can save his life by allowing her daughter to be raped. Truly shocking for a 1927 film. Ralph Forbes (who plays as Louise Dresser's son) is quite handsome and effective as the love interest. Renée Adorée is OK as the daughter of Mr. Wu but hardly looks flattering in her makeup and costume. Anna May Wong (who is wasted in a servant part) is clearly more attractive and should have gotten the part.

Film is also hampered with silly ideas about the Chinese as if they blindly adhere to traditional laws in all circumstances. It is very hard to take that premise seriously. Holmes Herbert's boorish uncultured character is also rather offensive.

Turner Classic Movies aired this movie with a new music score for the first time on Oct 31, 2000. It was GREAT! It was the first time it has been shown on TV. Mr. WU is about a Chinese man who's daughter has fallen in love with a man from the west. The man already has plans to marry his daughter into another Chinese family of great society. When Wu finds out the man from the west decided to leave his daughter he realizes he must carry out an old Chinese law stating if a daughter is defiled the father must kill her. Will WU kill his daughter? TCM should be showing this movie often now that it has a music score. Look for Lon Chaney's make up as both Mr. Wu and Wu's grandfather. A must see for Lon Chaney fans.