Mr. Wu

Plot

Mandarin Wu, a proud Chinese aristocrat living in San Francisco's Chinatown, is devastated when his beloved daughter Nang Ping reveals she is pregnant after a secret affair with Basil, a young Englishman. Enraged by the dishonor brought upon his family, Wu orders his servant Ah Kee to kill Basil, but when Ah Kee cannot bring himself to commit the murder, Wu takes matters into his own hands. After Basil's death, Wu learns that Nang Ping has died during childbirth, leaving him to raise his mixed-race grandson alone. Years later, when Wu's grandson falls in love with an English woman, Wu must confront his past prejudices and the cycle of hatred he once perpetuated. The film culminates in Wu's ultimate sacrifice as he gives his life to ensure his grandson's happiness with the woman he loves, breaking the generational cycle of vengeance and cultural division.

Historical Background

Released in 1927, 'Mr. Wu' emerged during a transitional period in American cinema and society. The film was produced just before the full advent of sound in motion pictures, representing the pinnacle of silent film artistry. In 1927, America was experiencing the Roaring Twenties, but also grappling with immigration restrictions and racial tensions, particularly against Asian communities following the Immigration Act of 1924. The film's themes of cultural conflict and interracial relationships were particularly relevant in an era when anti-miscegenation laws were still in effect across many states. The year 1927 also saw the release of 'The Jazz Singer,' which would revolutionize the industry, making 'Mr. Wu' one of the last great silent dramas from Hollywood's golden age.

Making Of

The production of 'Mr. Wu' was marked by Lon Chaney's legendary dedication to his craft. Chaney worked closely with makeup artist Jack Pierce to create the distinctive Chinese appearance, using innovative techniques that included stretching his eyelids with tape and applying extensive prosthetics. The actor reportedly studied Chinese culture and language for months, even adopting some mannerisms off-set to maintain character. Director William Nigh, known for his efficiency, had to balance Chaney's perfectionism with MGM's tight production schedule. The studio initially had concerns about the film's potential to offend Chinese audiences, but Chaney's dignified portrayal and the film's themes of universal fatherhood ultimately won over critics. The emotional scenes between Chaney and Louise Dresser were reportedly so powerful that crew members were often moved to tears during filming.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Percy Hilburn employed sophisticated lighting techniques to enhance the film's dramatic atmosphere. The use of chiaroscuro lighting created stark contrasts that emphasized the moral and emotional conflicts within the story. The Chinese sets were photographed with careful attention to detail, using soft focus and diffusion techniques to create an exotic yet authentic atmosphere. The camera work was relatively static, as was typical of the period, but featured thoughtful composition that framed Chaney's performance to maximum effect. The film made effective use of close-ups to capture Chaney's nuanced facial expressions, which were crucial for conveying emotion in the silent medium.

Innovations

The film's most significant technical achievement was Lon Chaney's groundbreaking makeup work, which set new standards for character transformation in cinema. The prosthetic techniques developed for 'Mr. Wu' influenced makeup artistry for decades to come. The production design by Cedric Gibbons created some of the most elaborate and authentic Chinese sets of the silent era, featuring intricate details and architectural elements that enhanced the film's visual authenticity. The film also demonstrated advanced techniques in matte painting and set extension to create the illusion of a complete Chinatown environment. The intercutting between different storylines and time periods showed sophisticated narrative techniques that were relatively advanced for silent cinema.

Music

As a silent film, 'Mr. Wu' was accompanied by live musical performances during its theatrical run. The original score was composed by William Axt, who created a soundtrack that blended Western orchestral arrangements with pseudo-Chinese musical motifs to reflect the film's cultural themes. The music emphasized the emotional beats of the story, with romantic themes for the love scenes and dramatic, minor-key passages for the moments of conflict and tragedy. Theater organists and small orchestras were provided with detailed cue sheets to ensure consistent musical accompaniment across different venues. The score was considered innovative for its attempt to create a hybrid musical language that bridged Eastern and Western traditions.

Memorable Scenes

• The emotional confrontation scene where Mandarin Wu discovers his daughter's pregnancy, featuring Chaney's powerful silent acting as he processes the shame and anger
• The climactic sacrifice scene where Wu gives his life to save his grandson's happiness, demonstrating the complete transformation of his character from vengeful father to selfless grandfather
• The makeup transformation sequence where audiences witness Chaney's complete physical transformation into the Chinese character, showcasing the technical artistry of the production

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'Mr. Wu' as one of Lon Chaney's most powerful performances. The New York Times hailed Chaney's portrayal as 'a masterpiece of characterization' and noted that 'the Man of a Thousand Faces has never been more convincing or moving.' Variety particularly commended the film's emotional depth and Chaney's ability to convey complex emotions without dialogue. Modern critics have reevaluated the film as an important, if problematic, artifact of its era, acknowledging both Chaney's skillful performance and the film's dated cultural perspectives. Film historians often cite it as an example of how silent cinema could tackle complex social themes with nuance and emotional power, despite the limitations of non-white representation in early Hollywood.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1927 responded enthusiastically to 'Mr. Wu,' with the film proving to be a commercial success for MGM. Theater reports indicated that many viewers were moved to tears by the film's emotional climax, and Chaney's performance generated significant word-of-mouth buzz. The film's universal themes of parental love and sacrifice resonated across demographic lines, helping it achieve broad appeal despite its specific cultural setting. However, some Chinese-American audiences expressed mixed feelings about the portrayal, though many appreciated Chaney's respectful approach compared to other contemporary films. The film's success further cemented Chaney's status as one of the era's biggest box office draws, capable of carrying a film with his transformative performance alone.

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