This Lon Chaney film was released on DVD along with another silent Chaney classic, "Nomads of the North". Both are exceptionally entertaining and a bit different, as Chaney was cast in the role of the lover in both films even though he had a face that certainly wasn't handsome in any sense. But, it did work--mostly due to Chaney's excellent acting and decent scripts.
Before watching this film, it's best that you understand that by today's standards the script is very schmaltzy and old fashioned. I didn't mind this too much, as I've seen hundreds (or more) of silents and accept that at the time this sort of script was the norm. Plus, despite this, the film is darned entertaining.
Chaney plays Wilse--a career criminal and all-around jerk. He works for an evil white woman who runs her criminal empire from San Francisco's Chinatown. She has plans for Wilse but merely tells him to head to a small town and wait. He is afraid to do anything else and waits. During this wait, Wilse is captivated by a young woman whose sweetness and acceptance of his being unable to walk without crutches (and then, still very poorly) makes him think about renouncing his criminal ways. But, he is also later heart-broken when he finds out she is in love with another man. This is very sad, as you want to see Wilse get the fair Gertrude (Virginia Valli).
Later, the evil boss lets Wilse know his assignment--he is to expose Gertrude's father for the embezzler that he is! But, Wilse knows that the man was forced to do this and can't stand to hurt Gertrude, so he decides to blow up the father's bank--thus hiding the shortage of funds! Now THAT'S being creative! But, where things go from here are quite unexpected--and I won't say more, as it would definitely spoil the film. Needless to say, Wilse proves himself to be a very worthy and totally reborn man. And, while not at all believable, the ending is touching and sweet.
This is a corny old romantic film that I thoroughly enjoyed. And while the cynic within me COULD just laugh the film off because the plot has many difficult to believe aspects, the wonderful acting and gentle direction carried it off! I know the film has some shortcomings, but I sure liked it.
Before watching this film, it's best that you understand that by today's standards the script is very schmaltzy and old fashioned. I didn't mind this too much, as I've seen hundreds (or more) of silents and accept that at the time this sort of script was the norm. Plus, despite this, the film is darned entertaining.
Chaney plays Wilse--a career criminal and all-around jerk. He works for an evil white woman who runs her criminal empire from San Francisco's Chinatown. She has plans for Wilse but merely tells him to head to a small town and wait. He is afraid to do anything else and waits. During this wait, Wilse is captivated by a young woman whose sweetness and acceptance of his being unable to walk without crutches (and then, still very poorly) makes him think about renouncing his criminal ways. But, he is also later heart-broken when he finds out she is in love with another man. This is very sad, as you want to see Wilse get the fair Gertrude (Virginia Valli).
Later, the evil boss lets Wilse know his assignment--he is to expose Gertrude's father for the embezzler that he is! But, Wilse knows that the man was forced to do this and can't stand to hurt Gertrude, so he decides to blow up the father's bank--thus hiding the shortage of funds! Now THAT'S being creative! But, where things go from here are quite unexpected--and I won't say more, as it would definitely spoil the film. Needless to say, Wilse proves himself to be a very worthy and totally reborn man. And, while not at all believable, the ending is touching and sweet.
This is a corny old romantic film that I thoroughly enjoyed. And while the cynic within me COULD just laugh the film off because the plot has many difficult to believe aspects, the wonderful acting and gentle direction carried it off! I know the film has some shortcomings, but I sure liked it.