Outside the Law

Chinatown, San Francisco serves as the backdrop to this intriguing story of a couple of criminals, having stolen some jewels in a heist, holed up in an apartment building to stay low from the cops and another criminal they rooked named Black Mike. The woman, played with fiery intensity by a ravishing Priscilla Dean, and man, Dapper Bill played by Wheeler Oakman with some charisma, soon realize they want to go straight and make new lives for themselves. An older Oriental figure of some importance in the Chinatown community had been telling Molly, Dean's character, and her father that crime does not pay and lives can all be changed for the good. This influence and the kindness/understanding that goes with it, the love that develops between Molly and Bill, and a small child that wends his momentary ways into their hearts all help this transformation of character take place. Outside the Law is a really remarkable film for a number of reasons when you considered it was made in 1920! Director Tod Browning shows that he can direct. After all he learned under the master himself, D. W. Griffith. Browning paces the flow and action of the film very nicely and manages to create characters that are not just stereotypes but three-dimensional. The acting helps do this naturally as well as all of it is quite good, but make no mistake - acting honors go to the "Man of a Thousand Faces" Lon Chaney in an early screen role well before he and Browning were stars. Chaney is brilliant not only as the nefarious Black Mike - oozing oily charm, but also as Ah Wing, the Asian helper to the old Chinese friend of the Madden family. Chaney could have played both roles in a very stereotypical fashion and still be credible, but Chaney pours his heart into each and makes them truly believable. As Ah Wing he is also almost undetectable. As far as Chaney's very early features go, Outside the Law is currently my favorite.

Todd Browning is definitely a big name in the early days of Hollywood, and this crime drama (I am somewhat hesitant to label it as film noir, seeing as that genre had not really been coined yet) is definitely one of the standouts in his career, and of course in the early days of Hollywood. And given how many silent films I have given a watch throughout the years, it is by no means a faint statement.

The cinematography, ever important in this style of filmmaking, is great, and so is the acting, providing a visual and facial sense that was always important, an art lost in time somewhat if you will.

The script is of course incredible, and it is truly one of Browning's best films.

Very much recommended for any lover of film!

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

Many people know Lon Chaney by his classics where he plays macabre characters whose faces and bodies are abnormally distorted. Little do they know a large majority of his roles were playing gangster-type baddies. In his second Tod Browning-directed movie, Dec. 1920's "Outside The Law," Chaney is a mobster who looks to frame a rival, Silent Madden, for murder. Madden's daughter, actress Priscilla Dean, is equally a tough cookie. When Chaney's plan becomes successful, Dean looks for revenge.

"Outside The Law" is cinema's first psychologically-driven gangster film where a main character undergoes a transformation and seeks redemption for her previous crimes. One of Chaney's associates, actor Wheeler Oakman, has fallen for Dean and tells her his boss is setting her up to take the blame for a jewelry heist. She foils Chaney's plans and her and Oakman hide out in a cramped apartment whiling away the time while they have the rocks. It's here, seeing a shadow of a crucifix on the floor, Dean realizes the error of her ways and decides to come clean. Of course, coming clean means fingering Chaney, setting off one one of the most chaotic shootout conclusions in cinema. This ending was so complex it took Browning and crew two weeks to film.

Dean was one of the most active actresses in silent movies. Her movie career began in 1911 and she appeared in dozens of films. She was one of those actresses who didn't make the successful transition to sound, ending her film career in a handful of low-budget productions after 1930. She was married to her counterpart in "Outside The Law," Wheeler Oakman at the time she made the film, but the two divorced in 1926.

Chaney in "Outside The Law" was not only the main gangster but also was made-up as a Chinese assistant, Ah Wing, to an influential Confucian scholar. This was the "Man of a Thousand Faces" actor's first time playing an Asian character. "Outside" came on the heels of Chaney's breakout movie released a few months earlier in August 1920 "The Penalty." Chaney plays a bitter legless man seeking revenge against a doctor for operating on him on a needless amputation during his youth.

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.