Monsieur Wu

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.

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.

The terrible trial of MR WU begins with his daughter's first love.

Lon Chaney once again gives scope to his prodigious talent, this time portraying a wealthy Mandarin who is compelled to commit the ultimate crime to avenge his family honor. Chaney inhabits the role, making every glance & gesture perfect for his portrayal of the character. Even while performing despicable acts, Chaney makes the viewer experience his private pain in an almost visceral way. Chaney also portrays ancient Grandfather Wu in the film's opening scenes, exhibiting an astonishing make-up transformation that is practically preternatural.

Much of the screen time is given over to Chaney's younger costars. French actress Renée Adorée provides a beautifully poignant portrayal of Wu's lovely, tragic daughter. Englishman Ralph Forbes, one of the most under-appreciated actors of his generation, gives a stalwart performance as her handsome Western lover. The tender romance of their scenes provides the film with its softer, more sentimental moments.

Louise Dresser plays Forbes' patrician mother, a woman somewhat isolated by her social status who is suddenly, violently, brought into confrontation with Wu's implacable vengeance. Holmes Herbert does well with his short role as her bigoted husband. Delicate Anna May Wong portrays Miss Adorée's faithful servant girl.

The silent film is given excellent production values by MGM, with the beautiful sets being especially noteworthy.

By 1927, Lon Chaney had clearly established that he could play practically any role--ranging from Quasimodo to the Phantom of the Opera to sideshow freaks to maniacs. However, one type of role that Chaney did that just looks pretty shabby today is his Asian characters. In MR. WU, Chaney plays two characters--a very, very old Chinese man and his grandson. As the grandfather, Wu looks really weird--not all that Chinese. As the grandson, with his shaved head and painted eyebrows he looks a little more like Joan Crawford circa 1970 than a Chinese guy! Interesting performances, yes--but not at all believable to anyone but the rather unsophisticated audiences of 1927 (who were used to seeing White guys dressed as Asians).

As for the story, it's odd because from the point of view of the Western characters, they didn't seem racist but were very open towards Asians. In contrast, Wu was a bigoted old guy who, according to some ancient teachings, could NEVER allow a child of his to marry anyone who wasn't 100% Chinese.

In light of this, it certainly isn't surprising that the grandson (I guess that would be Wu III) freaked out when his daughter fell for an American man. This of course leads to a sad and rather crazy conclusion that certainly is interesting--though it also seemed rather silly and tough to believe.

So it it worth seeing? Well for silent film fans (particularly lovers of Chaney), of course. For others NOT familiar with silents or who mistakenly think they are bad, then they should try some other films first. This film is like a strong cigar--it can be appreciated by someone used to them but for novices it's best to just stay away for now.