Sr. Wu

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.