Early talkie bears no resemblance to the book on which it is supposedly based. Wong is lovely, rest of cast wooden in tale of Fu Manchu's daughter carrying out her father's vengeance. Early Hayakawa is interesting. Several scenes, especially last ten minutes, still pack a punch, such as Hayakawa's sacrificing himself to warn others. Oland, as Fu, shows opposite of later casting as Charlie Chan.
25 Reviews
The Best of Paramount's Fu Manchu series
fwdixon14 April 2014
The third and final (and arguably the best) Paramount talkie with Warner Oland as Fu Manchu. Featuring Anna May Wong as the titular daughter (of Fu), an incredibly young Sessue Hayakawa as an investigator and Bramwell Fletcher as the type of effete, useless "hero" so popular in early 30's films. Fletcher may be best remembered as the young Egyptian explorer who inadvertently brought Boris Karloff back to life in "The Mummy" and was driven mad for his efforts. Anna May Wong is beautiful and gives a fine performance in this somewhat stagey film which has her seeking vengeance on Fu's mortal enemies, the Petrie family. Oland is killed off in the first reel and Wong pretty much carries the film. My "B" movie meter: 7* out of 10
Nothing great, but interesting
kuciak10 June 2008
First the negatives. Watching this film one would not have expected Warner Oland to have been such an excellent Charlie Chan. Keye Luke was perhaps correct when he defended the casting of Warner Oland as Charlie Chan, but watching his performance in this film, you would not have thought that possible. E. Alyn Warren, as another Chinese villain played by a Caucasian actor is also awful, and even worse.
Now the positives, two of the three top billed actors in this film are Asian, which for the time, was very unusual. SO for this reason, it is one of the reasons to see the film. Sessue Hayakawa is the hero of this film, and some may have a beef of having a Japanese actor playing a Chinese character, but for the time, and perhaps even today, it is remarkable.
Also, Harold Minjir as Rogers, who is in for comedy relief, is obvious meant to be a gay character, though their is no reference to his sexual preference. One of the positives of his character, is the ending, when he tells the young Petrie what is going on, and becomes one of the heroes of the film.
For the time, I'm sure it was a popular film, but does not entirely hold up today, but if one is interested in seeing films that were somewhat against the norm of the time, this might be an interesting film to see.
Now the positives, two of the three top billed actors in this film are Asian, which for the time, was very unusual. SO for this reason, it is one of the reasons to see the film. Sessue Hayakawa is the hero of this film, and some may have a beef of having a Japanese actor playing a Chinese character, but for the time, and perhaps even today, it is remarkable.
Also, Harold Minjir as Rogers, who is in for comedy relief, is obvious meant to be a gay character, though their is no reference to his sexual preference. One of the positives of his character, is the ending, when he tells the young Petrie what is going on, and becomes one of the heroes of the film.
For the time, I'm sure it was a popular film, but does not entirely hold up today, but if one is interested in seeing films that were somewhat against the norm of the time, this might be an interesting film to see.
Fast paced interesting potboiler
bernebner24 January 2004
I had a really good time at Museum of Modern Art's January '04 showing of this rare Paramount '31 release. Potboiler par excellence with the stunning Anna May Wong giving star presence performance as daughter who swears revenge to her dying father Fu Manchu (Warner Olan). Sessue Hayakawa is the detective smitten with Ms. Wong and who `dies a hundred deaths'. Everything's in this mystery: sliding doors, heavy brocades, Eastern mysticism, London's Chinatown. Directed by Lloyd Corrigan in a most sophisticated manner
Pleasing To Look At, A Chore To Listen To
JohnHowardReid13 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Thanks to her splendid work in Thief of Bagdad, Piccadilly and Chu Chin Chow, Anna May Wong has deservedly claimed a high status among noir fans. I therefore had high expectations for Daughter of the Dragon in which Miss Wong plays the main role opposite Sessue Hayakawa (in his sound feature debut). The third of Paramount's Fu Manchu series (the others: Mysterious Dr Fu Manchu, Return of Dr Fu Manchu), this one was directed by Lloyd ("Let's put the camera over here and bolt it to the floor!") Corrigan. Well, Mr Corrigan is mainly a writer (fourth-rate) and actor (there he's pretty nifty), so we don't expect much in this direction and we don't get much either. Everyone acts as if they were doing a turn at the Podunk Amateur Drama Club, except for the winsome Wong, heroic Hayakawa and a pleasingly engaging Bramwell Fletcher. E. Alyn Warren's Chinese villain rates as by far the worst slice of ham in 1931 talkies, but Harold Minjir's tedious boob of a secretary (who suddenly redeems himself in the final reel) is not far behind. Fortunately, the movie was obviously produced on a fair-sized budget and is often far more pleasing to look at than to listen to.
Watch it for Wong and Hayakawa
gbill-748773 March 2018
Warner Oland played the sinister Dr. Fu Manchu in a series of three pre-Code movies: The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu (1929), The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu (1930), and finally this one, Daughter of the Dragon (1931). It has the disadvantage that it's the sequel to the sequel, repeating the concept that Fu Manchu had actually not died in the previous film, but the advantage that it stars the lovely Anna May Wong. What a concept, an actual Asian actor in an Asian role, and a primary role at that - and not just her, but also a detective (Sessue Hayakawa). It was Wong's first talking picture, and the first time two major Asian stars appeared in the same movie.
Unfortunately, the plot is pretty contrived and the pace is creaky. Early on, Fu Manchu has a drug that allows him to both choke a person and control their mind, which is a little comical. However, after failing to complete his revenge on a wealthy family, he passes the torch to his daughter, Anna May Wong. Using secret passageways and her feminine wiles, she attempts to fulfill her promise, but things get complicated when she begins having feelings for both her target (Bramwell Fletcher) and the detective (Hayakawa).
There are some beautiful shots of Wong in the film, and mercifully the film is not blatantly racist. She oftentimes uses her character's name instead of the pronoun "I" in sentences, and where the idea an Asian person who otherwise speaks perfect English would do this is baffling. Otherwise, her character is strong, smart, and beautiful, though subject to the script's questionable character motivations, which have her swinging between love and murderous rage kind of oddly. As in other films, I'm not wild about Warner Oland in the role, but he turns in a decent enough performance. It was refreshing to see Fletcher have a romantic interest in Wong without recriminations, since miscegenation was so taboo then.
The film just squeaks by with an average rating, but I bumped it up a bit because of Wong and Hayakawa. If those actors don't appeal to you in any particular way, I'd probably advise skipping this one. If you're interested in a more entertaining and campy plot, where Fu Manchu is played by Boris Karloff and with Myrna Loy as his 'exotic' assistant, I would recommend 'The Mask of Fu Manchu' (1932), though that one does dial up the stereotypes and 'yellow fear'.
Unfortunately, the plot is pretty contrived and the pace is creaky. Early on, Fu Manchu has a drug that allows him to both choke a person and control their mind, which is a little comical. However, after failing to complete his revenge on a wealthy family, he passes the torch to his daughter, Anna May Wong. Using secret passageways and her feminine wiles, she attempts to fulfill her promise, but things get complicated when she begins having feelings for both her target (Bramwell Fletcher) and the detective (Hayakawa).
There are some beautiful shots of Wong in the film, and mercifully the film is not blatantly racist. She oftentimes uses her character's name instead of the pronoun "I" in sentences, and where the idea an Asian person who otherwise speaks perfect English would do this is baffling. Otherwise, her character is strong, smart, and beautiful, though subject to the script's questionable character motivations, which have her swinging between love and murderous rage kind of oddly. As in other films, I'm not wild about Warner Oland in the role, but he turns in a decent enough performance. It was refreshing to see Fletcher have a romantic interest in Wong without recriminations, since miscegenation was so taboo then.
The film just squeaks by with an average rating, but I bumped it up a bit because of Wong and Hayakawa. If those actors don't appeal to you in any particular way, I'd probably advise skipping this one. If you're interested in a more entertaining and campy plot, where Fu Manchu is played by Boris Karloff and with Myrna Loy as his 'exotic' assistant, I would recommend 'The Mask of Fu Manchu' (1932), though that one does dial up the stereotypes and 'yellow fear'.
reasonably diverting exotica
mukava99115 June 2008
This Grade B film offers a rare opportunity to see the underused Anna May Wong in a lead role as a noted Chinese dancer on tour in London who also happens to be the daughter of the sinister Fu Manchu. Playing a Chinese detective is the Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa no less. One can see why Hayakawa would have been a successful silent film actor with his elegant physical presence and one can simultaneously hear why he didn't cut the mustard in talkies - the accent is so thick that one must strain to understand him. He never improved. Even in late films such as THREE CAME HOME and THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI the accent blunted the power of his performances to some extent. Warner Oland, the Swedish actor best known for playing Charlie Chan, is Fu Manchu. Finally, we also get a chance to see the fine actor Bramwell Fletcher in a rather substantial role as one of Fu Manchu's intended victims. He is probably best known as the archaeologist who screams so memorably well in THE MUMMY when the monster approaches him in a tomb. Otherwise, this film is just a passable crime melodrama with some colorful exotic touches of costuming and decor. Editing and continuity are noticeably clumsy. Wong makes a spectacular entrance dressed in a sparkling Chinese goddess gown with a huge Ziegfeld-style headdress. If this were a silent it would be worth watching just to look at her in an array of flattering outfits from scene to scene. Her emoting is as good as one could expect from the comic book-level material she is given. She had a beautiful, somewhat deep speaking voice similar to that of Claudette Colbert with just the slightest trace of an accent, making it all the more enchanting to the ear. Judged on its own terms, DAUGHTER OF THE DRAGON is a reasonably diverting suspense offering with some real excitement in the final reel as the bad guys fight it out with the heroes as well as a beautiful and romantic closing shot which I won't give away.
Nobody plays with the dragon's rage
nickenchuggets22 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Famous Chinese American actress Anna May Wong was once recorded saying she decided to stop appearing in movies because she died too much. Maybe this is a recurring theme in her movies, but this is only the second movie of hers I've seen that ends with her being killed, the other being Lady From Chungking. In this movie, we have an Asian villain stereotype (that inspired the name of a particular mustache) playing the main antagonist, and Wong turns out to be his daughter, which causes problems. The movie starts by showing that Ling Moy (Anna May Wong) is an exotic dancer in England. After a show one day, she finds out Fu Manchu (Warner Oland, a Swede) is her biological father. Manchu seeks vengeance against a noble english family called the Petries because they were involved in fighting Chinese forces during the Boxer Rebellion in the early 1900s, towards the end of Qing Dynasty China. Manchu tries to enslave one of the members of this family with a special drug, but he's caught and fatally shot. Since he knows he will die soon, Manchu uses his final moments to summon his daughter Ling and says how she must finish what he started by causing as much misery to the Petries as possible. At first Ling doesn't want to accept that she's Manchu's daughter, but she's still doing his will. To make things worse, Ling is romantically involved with Ah Kee (Sessue Hayakawa), who, unbeknownst to her, is a Scotland Yard agent and her father's greatest adversary. Meanwhile, Ling tries to complete her father's wishes by killing the heir of the Petrie family; Ronald (Bramwell Fletcher). Ironically, all Ronald can think about is keeping Ling safe. Even though she came close to doing it earlier, Ling doesn't end up killing Ronald, so she is scolded by her father's former servant, Lu. Ling prays in front of a large dragon emblem, which is supposed to represent her father and fill her with murderous intent. Later, Ling tries to get Ah and Ronald split up so that the latter will be easier to kill, so Ling invites Ah into her bedroom. From Ronald's point of view, he's told that Ling has been abducted by Lu and is encouraged to raid the place. Upon arriving, Ronald is ambushed and subdued by thugs. Shortly after, Ah tries to propose to Ling, but she reveals she is the daughter of his greatest rival. Ronald's still unconscious body is given to Ling so she can restrain him and torture him and his girlfriend, Joan Marshall (Frances Dade). When Ronald awakes, Ling tells him she is Manchu's daughter. Just in time, the police arrive and kill several thugs, allowing Ronald and Joan to escape. When Ronald's eyes are focused elsewhere, Ling prepares to stab him, but she is shot and killed by Ah. Like many other pre-codes that Wong appeared in, Daughter of the Dragon is merely ok. It's better than the astrology centered movie I saw with her in it a few days ago, but that's not saying much. I did at least like how this movie gave her a dark side since she is trying to kill another character, even if the idea of her being just a puppet for her father is a stupid plot point. I also liked how some criminals in the movie use a hidden compartment under the stairs in the Petrie house to escape without a trace, even if it doesn't make much sense how the Petries are unaware of this passageway in their own home (until much later). Overall, I felt Daughter of the Dragon wasn't a bad movie, but it gets pretty tiring seeing Wong getting cast as mysterious (and oftentimes malicious) asian women over and over again, but that is her career summed up.
It's a long way to Piccadilly, a long way to go
wmorrow5922 August 2005
Recently I saw Anna May Wong in Piccadilly, a stylish silent melodrama made in England in 1929. It has its flaws, but over all it struck me as quite interesting and unusual, and it did provide its fascinating star with a role she could sink her teeth into. Anna May Wong was virtually the only Chinese-American leading lady of her era, gorgeous in an unconventional way, with a magnetism rivaling that of Louise Brooks. I was eager to see more of her work, and knew that she'd made several silent films in Hollywood during the '20s and a number of talkies there in the '30s, after she'd returned from Europe.
One of Anna May's first vehicles upon her return to the U.S. was Daughter of the Dragon, which was also one of the first screen adaptations of a Fu Manchu story from Sax Rohmer's long-running series of books. Unfortunately, while Piccadilly exhibited the best technical qualities of the late silent era, including first-rate cinematography, fluid camera movement, and smooth editing, this film exhibits some of the weakest traits of early talkies: the dialog is awkward, the editing rhythm is lethargic, and the acting (with a couple of exceptions) is theatrical in the worst sense of the word. There are sporadic attempts by the director to infuse the movie with striking visuals, such as silhouettes cast on screens or quirky camera angles, but for the most part the presentation is as flat and dull as a school play. Aside from rare bursts of action we find ourselves staring at actors who strike attitudes and declaim purple prose against the harsh crackle of the soundtrack, with no background music to help smooth over the rough spots.
Anna May Wong's charisma is intact, but the material she was given to deliver in Daughter of the Dragon puts her dignity to a severe test. I never expected Political Correctness from a Fu Manchu movie, but it was nonetheless disheartening to observe the Yellow Peril stereotypes on parade here. Sinister Orientals spy on enemies through panels in the wall, and gongs are struck at key moments as Dr. Fu Manchu intones such lines as: "My flower daughter, the knife would wither your petal fingers." Fans of the Charlie Chan series might be surprised to find Warner Oland playing Fu, very much the opposite of his more benign Asian portrayals. Legendary Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa is on hand as a Chinese detective working for Scotland Yard, thus providing a positive Asian role model to balance the villainy of the others, but even in his case it's made clear in an early scene that he's a "special worker," not an official member of the force.
Hayakawa manages to retain his dignity in the midst of this hokum, and so does Anna May Wong, but the waste of these two extraordinary actors is frustrating to witness. This movie is as silly as the toy dragon breathing fire under the opening credits, and perhaps it can be enjoyed as such, but if you care about these actors as human beings it leaves a depressing aftertaste. One last thought: what's the deal with sinister Asians spying on people through sliding panels in the wall? What's up with that? I mean, did you ever see an old movie where sinister Lithuanians, Greeks or Eskimos spy on people through sliding panels? Oh well, I guess it's just one of those inscrutable mysteries of the Hollywood Orient.
One of Anna May's first vehicles upon her return to the U.S. was Daughter of the Dragon, which was also one of the first screen adaptations of a Fu Manchu story from Sax Rohmer's long-running series of books. Unfortunately, while Piccadilly exhibited the best technical qualities of the late silent era, including first-rate cinematography, fluid camera movement, and smooth editing, this film exhibits some of the weakest traits of early talkies: the dialog is awkward, the editing rhythm is lethargic, and the acting (with a couple of exceptions) is theatrical in the worst sense of the word. There are sporadic attempts by the director to infuse the movie with striking visuals, such as silhouettes cast on screens or quirky camera angles, but for the most part the presentation is as flat and dull as a school play. Aside from rare bursts of action we find ourselves staring at actors who strike attitudes and declaim purple prose against the harsh crackle of the soundtrack, with no background music to help smooth over the rough spots.
Anna May Wong's charisma is intact, but the material she was given to deliver in Daughter of the Dragon puts her dignity to a severe test. I never expected Political Correctness from a Fu Manchu movie, but it was nonetheless disheartening to observe the Yellow Peril stereotypes on parade here. Sinister Orientals spy on enemies through panels in the wall, and gongs are struck at key moments as Dr. Fu Manchu intones such lines as: "My flower daughter, the knife would wither your petal fingers." Fans of the Charlie Chan series might be surprised to find Warner Oland playing Fu, very much the opposite of his more benign Asian portrayals. Legendary Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa is on hand as a Chinese detective working for Scotland Yard, thus providing a positive Asian role model to balance the villainy of the others, but even in his case it's made clear in an early scene that he's a "special worker," not an official member of the force.
Hayakawa manages to retain his dignity in the midst of this hokum, and so does Anna May Wong, but the waste of these two extraordinary actors is frustrating to witness. This movie is as silly as the toy dragon breathing fire under the opening credits, and perhaps it can be enjoyed as such, but if you care about these actors as human beings it leaves a depressing aftertaste. One last thought: what's the deal with sinister Asians spying on people through sliding panels in the wall? What's up with that? I mean, did you ever see an old movie where sinister Lithuanians, Greeks or Eskimos spy on people through sliding panels? Oh well, I guess it's just one of those inscrutable mysteries of the Hollywood Orient.
A sporadically entertaining period piece
shana-carter26 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
As a fan of Sax Rohmer's books, I'm predisposed to enjoy this loose adaptation of "The Daughter of Fu Manchu." Like the source material, this film has obscure drugs, secret passages, Limehouse opium dens, and a strong whiff of sadism, though it downgrades Fu Manchu's goals from world domination to vengeance. Its best feature is the gorgeous anti-heroine Princess Ling Moy, ably portrayed by the luminous Anna May Wong. Alas, the film is also chockablock with racism, which manifests in the yellowface performances of Warner Oland and E. Alyn Warren and the stilted dialogue which forces Anna May and her Japanese co-star Sessue Hayakawa to repeatedly call upon their honored ancestors and refer to themselves in the third person. That said, I must give the writers credit for addressing anti-Asian prejudice, if only briefly, with Ling Moy's question, "If I stayed, would my hair ever become golden curls and my skin ivory like Ronald's?"
My biggest problem with the movie is that the intersecting love triangles are uninteresting and unconvincing. Bramwell Fletcher's Ronald Petrie, whom Ling Moy is sworn to kill, has a wandering eye and a limited vocabulary ("I wish I could find a word to describe her...Exotic, that's the word!"), while as his fiancée Joan Marshall, Frances Dade is alternately petulant and shrill. Why on Earth are they together? And why would Ling Moy fall for this upper-class twit, when she could have Hayakawa's man of action, Ah Kee?
My biggest problem with the movie is that the intersecting love triangles are uninteresting and unconvincing. Bramwell Fletcher's Ronald Petrie, whom Ling Moy is sworn to kill, has a wandering eye and a limited vocabulary ("I wish I could find a word to describe her...Exotic, that's the word!"), while as his fiancée Joan Marshall, Frances Dade is alternately petulant and shrill. Why on Earth are they together? And why would Ling Moy fall for this upper-class twit, when she could have Hayakawa's man of action, Ah Kee?
Dreary "Fu Manchu" Potboiler
zardoz-1313 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Although as many as five people die in Lloyd Corrigan's "Daughter of the Dragon," the third and final entry in Paramount Picture's "Fu Manchu" franchise. Paunchy Swedish actor Warner Oland reprises his role as the infamous Fu Manchu. Earlier, he played the Asian terrornaut in "The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu" (1929) and "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu" (1930). Later, Oland would portray another famous Asian character: Charlie Chan. You see, back in the early 20th century, political correctness neither governed nor applied to Hollywood. Consequently, white actors and actresses could be cast as Asians. Casting ethnic actors to play ethnic groups would come late in the 20th century, long after Mickey Rooney impersonated an Asian in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Anyway, Dr. Fu Manchu isn't alive very long in "Daughter of the Dragon." He kicks the bucket in the first quarter hour. The despicable Chinese villain has returned after a 20-year absence to carry out his hate-fueled vengeance against the Petrie clan. Fu believes that the Petries were responsible for the demise of his wife and son. Secretly, he dispatches a henchman who slips poison into the elder Petrie's pipe tobacco. The poison enables Fu to control Sir John Petrie (Holmes Herbert of "The Ghost of Frankenstein") like a puppet. Fu Manchu shows up at Sir Petrie's mansion and sends him plunging to his death on a staircase. Fittingly, Asian detective Ah Kee (Sessue Hayakawa of "Bridge on the River Kwai") brandishes his revolver and shoots him in the chest. Kee's bullet ultimately kills the master architect of evil. Before he dies, however, Fu summons an exotic Chinese dancer, Princess Ling Moy (American-born Anna May Wong of "Lady from Chungking"), and he tells her that she is his daughter. She vows to make up for Fu's dire lack of a son and agrees to carry out his vengeful plans. Appropriately enough, he calls her his 'man-daughter.' Unfortunately, she doesn't achieve her goals thanks to Scotland Yard and Petrie's butler effeminate Rogers (Harold Minjir of "Ringside Maisie") who displays unusual valor at the end.
Most of the time, everybody is scheming and talking in "Daughter of the Dragon," but considerable action and gunplay erupts during the final quarter hour. At one point, Fu Manchu's daughter makes life tough for Ronald Petrie (Bramwell Fletcher of "The Mummy") when she gives him a chance to end the life of his fiancée, Joan Marshall (Frances Dade of "Dracula"), by stabbing her. Otherwise, Moy has concocted a special acid that will burn Joan's face and make her look hideous. Moy tries to deceive Ah Kee, but he is too smart to fall for her tricks. Half of the time "Daughter of the Dragon" is atmospheric, while the other half it is high camp. The first few minutes when Ling Moy is introduced is striking, especially Wong's costume and head-piece. She is a babe on heels who seduces every guy that she meets, especially Sessue Hayakawa's detective who falls head over heels for her.
Most of the time, everybody is scheming and talking in "Daughter of the Dragon," but considerable action and gunplay erupts during the final quarter hour. At one point, Fu Manchu's daughter makes life tough for Ronald Petrie (Bramwell Fletcher of "The Mummy") when she gives him a chance to end the life of his fiancée, Joan Marshall (Frances Dade of "Dracula"), by stabbing her. Otherwise, Moy has concocted a special acid that will burn Joan's face and make her look hideous. Moy tries to deceive Ah Kee, but he is too smart to fall for her tricks. Half of the time "Daughter of the Dragon" is atmospheric, while the other half it is high camp. The first few minutes when Ling Moy is introduced is striking, especially Wong's costume and head-piece. She is a babe on heels who seduces every guy that she meets, especially Sessue Hayakawa's detective who falls head over heels for her.
A Good Afternoon Film
crossbow010628 December 2008
This film continues the saga of Fu Manchu, whose wife and son were killed by a member of the Petrie family. After killing two of the four males in the family, he was not seen or heard of for 20 years and presumed dead. He returns, kills Sir John Petrie, but is shot before he could kill the last one. Anna May Wong plays exotic dancer Ling Moy who finds out Fu Manchu is her father and vows to kill the last member of the Petrie family. The film goes from there, as you see whether the revenge will be carried out. This film is a bit campy and very dramatic but it boasts the talents of two major Asian actors in the early years of cinema. Sessue Hayakawa plays officer Ah Kee, and you may remember him for his Oscar winning work in "The Bridge On The River Kwai" decades later. He was a star before this film also. Anna May Wong was an accomplished actress and later stage performer in China and Europe, even though she was born in the United States. An uncommonly beautiful lady, every film I've seen her in is worth watching. So is this one, its a good drama. It is actually not 79 minutes, the version I watched is 69 minutes. Its a good afternoon film, moving along at a good pace. The cable television station TCM recently did a tribute to Asian actors and featured Mr. Hayakawa and Ms. Wong. If they decide to repeat any of their films, they are all good. You can enjoy this one also.
more good than not good
SnoopyStyle5 March 2018
Dr. Fu Manchu (Warner Oland) terrorized London looking for undeserved revenge against the Petrie family. With his supposed death twenty years before, the terror is over. Unaware of her own origins, his daughter Princess Ling Moy (Anna May Wong) lives next to the Petries. At Scotland Yard, Sir Basil Courtney is warned by Ah Kee of the return of Fu Manchu.
There is a case of racism especially with Fu Manchu. It's a modern criticism of old Hollywood with a white actor playing a cartoon Chinese villain. At least, this does have Chinese actress Anna May Wong. She's very appealing. There is too much standing and talking for my modern tastes. For its era, this is more good than not good. The use of Asian actors as leads is commendable.
There is a case of racism especially with Fu Manchu. It's a modern criticism of old Hollywood with a white actor playing a cartoon Chinese villain. At least, this does have Chinese actress Anna May Wong. She's very appealing. There is too much standing and talking for my modern tastes. For its era, this is more good than not good. The use of Asian actors as leads is commendable.
Amazingly dull and sentimental for a Fu Manchu film
planktonrules7 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I have seen several Fu Manchu films and he was a popular character from the 1920s all the way up to the 1970s--having appeared in many American and British films and serials. He was a demented and power-mad genius--sort of like Dr. No or Blofeld or Dr. Evil. However, in this rather listless installment, the menace of evil is very, very subdued and the film never delivered on its promise.
Unlike other Fu Manchu films, in this one he is NOT the main character. Warner Oland plays Manchu and looks a lot like his Charlie Chan character. He is only in about 10 minutes worth of film despite his high billing in the movie. His purpose is to see Anna May Wong's character and reveal to her that she is his daughter--and that he expects her to help him carry out his revenge. So, one day, Wong is a sweet cabaret dancer and the next she's expected to carry out a plan for murder--and at first she agrees wholeheartedly. Having her become his evil accomplice wasn't a bad idea, but what sank this film was by having Manchu killed soon after this. This "brilliant" villain sure wasn't very careful and got himself killed rather easily. Additionally, Wong's character was a real negative because she never really could make up her mind whether or not to be evil--spending so much of the film bouncing back and forth---and in the process losing all the cruel menace that SHOULD be part of any Fu Manchu picture.
An additional deficit in the film is how they used veteran actor Sessue Hayakawa. I wasn't upset to see a Japanese man playing a Chinese man--heck, for Hollywood, that's a lot closer to realistic than the usual White Westerner playing Asian roles of the era. Instead it was a completely mindless plot device thrown into the film towards the end. While his and Wong's characters barely interact, there is a love scene that appears out of no where AND makes no sense since the lady was already in love with another man. It looked as if there may have originally been much more to this but it was somehow cut, at least in part, from the film and they forgot to completely remove traces of this subplot.
So, what looked like an exciting adventure film turned out to be a rather dull little film. The only big plus for the film were the great sets--they really were cool and made this B-movie look more like a higher budget feature film.
So much promise--so little delivered.
Unlike other Fu Manchu films, in this one he is NOT the main character. Warner Oland plays Manchu and looks a lot like his Charlie Chan character. He is only in about 10 minutes worth of film despite his high billing in the movie. His purpose is to see Anna May Wong's character and reveal to her that she is his daughter--and that he expects her to help him carry out his revenge. So, one day, Wong is a sweet cabaret dancer and the next she's expected to carry out a plan for murder--and at first she agrees wholeheartedly. Having her become his evil accomplice wasn't a bad idea, but what sank this film was by having Manchu killed soon after this. This "brilliant" villain sure wasn't very careful and got himself killed rather easily. Additionally, Wong's character was a real negative because she never really could make up her mind whether or not to be evil--spending so much of the film bouncing back and forth---and in the process losing all the cruel menace that SHOULD be part of any Fu Manchu picture.
An additional deficit in the film is how they used veteran actor Sessue Hayakawa. I wasn't upset to see a Japanese man playing a Chinese man--heck, for Hollywood, that's a lot closer to realistic than the usual White Westerner playing Asian roles of the era. Instead it was a completely mindless plot device thrown into the film towards the end. While his and Wong's characters barely interact, there is a love scene that appears out of no where AND makes no sense since the lady was already in love with another man. It looked as if there may have originally been much more to this but it was somehow cut, at least in part, from the film and they forgot to completely remove traces of this subplot.
So, what looked like an exciting adventure film turned out to be a rather dull little film. The only big plus for the film were the great sets--they really were cool and made this B-movie look more like a higher budget feature film.
So much promise--so little delivered.
******* Overlook Contrivances
GManfred3 April 2018
Watch this entertaining Anna May Wong vehicle and swallow hard; some of the plot devices may be tough to handle. Once you struggle to suspend your disbelief it is an easy going 70 minutes to watch the great Anna May follow in her father's (Warner Oland's) footsteps to uphold the family honor.
It is fast-paced and great fun, and at 70 minutes just long enough so that it doesn't overstay it's welcome. Those inscrutable Chinese baddies try to match wits with a Chinese detective (Sessue Hayakawa, who was Japanese) as he tries to foil their murderous plans, and are led by Anna May herself. Hollywood racism of the time prevented her from getting meatier parts, so you have to watch her and wonder what might have been. She was a beautiful and talented actress who was shortchanged. I put my star rating in the heading as the website no longer prints mine.
It is fast-paced and great fun, and at 70 minutes just long enough so that it doesn't overstay it's welcome. Those inscrutable Chinese baddies try to match wits with a Chinese detective (Sessue Hayakawa, who was Japanese) as he tries to foil their murderous plans, and are led by Anna May herself. Hollywood racism of the time prevented her from getting meatier parts, so you have to watch her and wonder what might have been. She was a beautiful and talented actress who was shortchanged. I put my star rating in the heading as the website no longer prints mine.
The daughter son Fu Manchu wished for...
Web_Of_Doom26 October 2022
Anna May Wong ( Ling May ) & Sessue Hayakawa ( Ah Kee ) both star in this film about the daughter of Fu Manchu ( appearance by Warner Orland ) in a very well acted film ( by these 3 legendary actors ). This is a moving drama & thriller, as unfortunately the script does have a few too many holes in it however the main three acting performances ( mentioned above ) carry the storyline that mostly makes sense really well & make this a 7 out of 10 film.
The film loses a scoring star for me as some of the supporting cast don't quite hit the mark, then loses another scoring star as mentioned above as the script is not quite as logical as it needed to be. Finally the last star is lost as the film does drag a little so a bit more character development with the emotions of the love interests in the film could have made the film much more interesting, dramatic & ultimately made the film more logical as well.
Overall a very good effort & you end up with a good film you can enjoy.
The film loses a scoring star for me as some of the supporting cast don't quite hit the mark, then loses another scoring star as mentioned above as the script is not quite as logical as it needed to be. Finally the last star is lost as the film does drag a little so a bit more character development with the emotions of the love interests in the film could have made the film much more interesting, dramatic & ultimately made the film more logical as well.
Overall a very good effort & you end up with a good film you can enjoy.
"The golden dragon stirs in his sleep!"
hwg1957-102-26570414 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Petrie family for twenty years have been free of the vengeance of Dr Fu Manchu but then the insidious doctor re-appears and when he is killed by the police the revenge is taken up by his daughter Ling Moy. I enjoyed this film more than the two previous films in the series. Warner Oland reprised his role as the doctor but the main focus is on his daughter and Ling Moy is played excellently by Anna May Wong, by turns tender, thoughtful or treacherous. She outshines the rest of the cast though they are adequate enough. Her scene with Warner Oland is particularly good. Would have liked to have seen a sequel to this film but alas that did not occur. The ubiquitous Olaf Hytten appears briefly as Flinders the Butler.
A Chip Off the Old Block
wes-connors8 June 2008
In London, pretty dancer Anna May Wong (as Ling Moy) discovers she is the daughter of wicked Chinese warlord Warner Oland (as Fu Manchu). Naturally, Ms. Wong is compelled to continue her father's murderous ways; mainly, she wants to torture and kill members of the British Petrie family (as in previous Fu films). Meanwhile, good detective Sessue Hayakawa (as Ah Kee) has tracked the Gang of Fu to London. The triumph of good over evil hits the expected snag when Mr. Hayakawa becomes attracted to his prey. Will the hunter get captured by the game?
Lloyd Corrigan's "Daughter of the Dragon" is far from the best "Fu". It is the last appearance of Mr. Oland as the famous villain; and, he is most effective, in his abbreviated appearance. The idea to cast Wong and Hayakawa was a good one; however, their portrayals are clownish. Hayakawa, an otherwise fine actor, is obviously working on articulation. Victor Milner's photography is the film's main strength. Harold Minjir's comic relief role, as the nearsighted "Rogers", is also quite good. The story moves along briskly enough to overcome some absurdities.
***** Daughter of the Dragon (1931) Lloyd Corrigan ~ Anna May Wong, Sessue Hayakawa, Warner Oland
Lloyd Corrigan's "Daughter of the Dragon" is far from the best "Fu". It is the last appearance of Mr. Oland as the famous villain; and, he is most effective, in his abbreviated appearance. The idea to cast Wong and Hayakawa was a good one; however, their portrayals are clownish. Hayakawa, an otherwise fine actor, is obviously working on articulation. Victor Milner's photography is the film's main strength. Harold Minjir's comic relief role, as the nearsighted "Rogers", is also quite good. The story moves along briskly enough to overcome some absurdities.
***** Daughter of the Dragon (1931) Lloyd Corrigan ~ Anna May Wong, Sessue Hayakawa, Warner Oland
Is there no end in sight?
mark.waltz12 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
In the second part of the three part series, there is a denouncement where a character says as Fu Manchu meets his presumed entrance into the abyss that it is all over. The book on Fu Manchu is closed. Yeah, right. So Hollywood in the early 1930's didn't make too many sequels, a few did appear, and the Fu Manchu series fortunately ended after three.
How Oland survived (and looked the same 20 years when this took place) is never explained, calling on memories of some of the worst serials. Fortunately, his return is brief, being on long enough to kill the one remaining survivor of his initial plot and turning it over to illegitimate daughter Anna May Wong who readily agrees. Wong is a much better actor than Oland and her softness makes her villainy all the more dangerous. The camp elements of the first two films is replaced with a sense of melancholy, making this a lot more atmospheric.
Added into this is beloved Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa as Wong's love interest, replacing the very unromantic characters played in the first two by Jean Arthur and Neil Hamilton. Wong isn't the dragon lady which Myrna Loy played in the MGM entry the following year, and she alone makes this entry a bit better than the previous two. The film bogs down towards the end as Wong's transition from reluctant participant to gleeful torturer comes just too fast to take seriously.
How Oland survived (and looked the same 20 years when this took place) is never explained, calling on memories of some of the worst serials. Fortunately, his return is brief, being on long enough to kill the one remaining survivor of his initial plot and turning it over to illegitimate daughter Anna May Wong who readily agrees. Wong is a much better actor than Oland and her softness makes her villainy all the more dangerous. The camp elements of the first two films is replaced with a sense of melancholy, making this a lot more atmospheric.
Added into this is beloved Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa as Wong's love interest, replacing the very unromantic characters played in the first two by Jean Arthur and Neil Hamilton. Wong isn't the dragon lady which Myrna Loy played in the MGM entry the following year, and she alone makes this entry a bit better than the previous two. The film bogs down towards the end as Wong's transition from reluctant participant to gleeful torturer comes just too fast to take seriously.
Third time is not the charm
gridoon20247 November 2018
The third of Paramount's Fu Manchu films - unfortunately, none of them are worth watching. This one is stiff, stuffy, stilted, and very boring. The cast is so bland that I was hoping Fu's daughter would kill them all, but that is far from being the case. * out of 4.
Exotically Beautiful Anna May Wong
kidboots10 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Beautiful Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American movie star, had to move to England to be cast in movies worthy of her talents but returning to the U.S. in 1930 she was given a part in "On the Spot" on Broadway. It ran for 167 performances and was based on an Edgar Wallace mystery. After this she went to Hollywood where she was given the lead in "Daughter of the Dragon". Yes, it gave her a racially stereotyped role but at least she was the star. Strangely enough, her biggest competition at this time was Myrna Loy, who was still in her Oriental period. The next year Miss Loy appeared as Fu Manchu's evil daughter in MGM's over the top production - "The Mask of Fu Manchu".
In this less opulent outing Anna plays exotic Princess Ling Moy, a beautiful Oriental dancer who is the toast of London - but is also the daughter of Fu Manchu!!! Since going on a murderous rampage 20 years before for retaliation against the death of his family, he is thought to be long dead. He is very much alive - but not for long and before he dies, he draws forth a promise from Ling Moy to eradicate Ronald Petrie, the last of the family who he mistakenly believes killed his family.
She is eager to get started and begins by romancing Ronald, much to the upset of his simpering fiancée. Another person who falls under her spell is Ah Kee (Sessue Hayakawa) from Scotland Yard. Hayakawa had caused a sensation in "The Cheat" (1915) which not only showed a white society woman as a slave to an Oriental (shock, horror!!!) but also highlighted his very natural acting style (while all the other cast members were gesturing their heads off!!). Funnily enough, in this movie Hayakawa comes across as stiff and uncomfortable, maybe it was the fact that as a Japanese he was forced to play a Chinese policeman!! Warner Oland (Fu Manchu) who was often cast as an Oriental heavy (who could forget him in "Old San Francisco") was actually Swedish!!
Ling Moy starts out relatively normal but becomes more evil as the movie progresses. It would have been great to see her go completely over the top and have an emotional scene but that just wasn't her style. By the end Ronald's sympathy is completely with Joan (Frances Dade) especially when the torture they have set up for her is drinking acid!!! Ronald is played by Bramwell Fletcher, who seemed quite at home in these horror pics - he also featured in "The Mummy" and "The Monkey's Paw". Nella Walker played the mother, who didn't seem to have much to do other than look worried as her family dropped like flies!!!
Recommended.
In this less opulent outing Anna plays exotic Princess Ling Moy, a beautiful Oriental dancer who is the toast of London - but is also the daughter of Fu Manchu!!! Since going on a murderous rampage 20 years before for retaliation against the death of his family, he is thought to be long dead. He is very much alive - but not for long and before he dies, he draws forth a promise from Ling Moy to eradicate Ronald Petrie, the last of the family who he mistakenly believes killed his family.
She is eager to get started and begins by romancing Ronald, much to the upset of his simpering fiancée. Another person who falls under her spell is Ah Kee (Sessue Hayakawa) from Scotland Yard. Hayakawa had caused a sensation in "The Cheat" (1915) which not only showed a white society woman as a slave to an Oriental (shock, horror!!!) but also highlighted his very natural acting style (while all the other cast members were gesturing their heads off!!). Funnily enough, in this movie Hayakawa comes across as stiff and uncomfortable, maybe it was the fact that as a Japanese he was forced to play a Chinese policeman!! Warner Oland (Fu Manchu) who was often cast as an Oriental heavy (who could forget him in "Old San Francisco") was actually Swedish!!
Ling Moy starts out relatively normal but becomes more evil as the movie progresses. It would have been great to see her go completely over the top and have an emotional scene but that just wasn't her style. By the end Ronald's sympathy is completely with Joan (Frances Dade) especially when the torture they have set up for her is drinking acid!!! Ronald is played by Bramwell Fletcher, who seemed quite at home in these horror pics - he also featured in "The Mummy" and "The Monkey's Paw". Nella Walker played the mother, who didn't seem to have much to do other than look worried as her family dropped like flies!!!
Recommended.
Flaming xenophobia.
st-shot7 November 2023
Paramount pulls no punches in demonizing the Chinese with its take on honor and revenge by way of tradition in Daughter of the Dragon. Featuring the ultra exotic rare Asian lead, Anna May Wong and iconic "yellow peril" heavy before going Charlie Chan, Warner Oland (of Swedish descent), director ( mostly known for character actor portrayals) and writers infuse them with an unquenchable desire for vengeance.
Seems Fu Manchu never got along with the occidental Petrie's but after offing a couple Fu supposedly ended up the same way. Turns out though he's actually alive and his daughter, showstopper May Ling is charged with taking up with Petrie whacks after Manchu is once again offed. May Ling swears revenge for her father but finds herself conflicted about following throuh. Meanwhile detective Ah Kee ( played by Japanese native, Sessue Hyakawa) falls for May as well.
Made with typical sultry Paramount ambience Dragon's exotic undertones are not enough to make up for its far fetched coincidences and secret doors. Wong is alluring but the rest of the cast not very convincing with the exception of E. Allyn Warren (another westerner) who oozes his nothing but venom for the West and women. Daughter of the Dragon offers a fair share of interesting, esoteric compositions but not enough to overcome its silly haunted house improbabilities.
Seems Fu Manchu never got along with the occidental Petrie's but after offing a couple Fu supposedly ended up the same way. Turns out though he's actually alive and his daughter, showstopper May Ling is charged with taking up with Petrie whacks after Manchu is once again offed. May Ling swears revenge for her father but finds herself conflicted about following throuh. Meanwhile detective Ah Kee ( played by Japanese native, Sessue Hyakawa) falls for May as well.
Made with typical sultry Paramount ambience Dragon's exotic undertones are not enough to make up for its far fetched coincidences and secret doors. Wong is alluring but the rest of the cast not very convincing with the exception of E. Allyn Warren (another westerner) who oozes his nothing but venom for the West and women. Daughter of the Dragon offers a fair share of interesting, esoteric compositions but not enough to overcome its silly haunted house improbabilities.
Decent
Michael_Elliott16 June 2008
Daughter of the Dragon (1931)
** (out of 4)
Third film in Paramount's series, this film follows The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu and The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu. This time out, the evil Fu Manchu (Warner Oland) goes to kill another enemy but ends up getting killed himself. Before he dies however, he gives his evil reign to his daughter, Princess Ling Moy (Ana May Wong). Soon the daughter is carrying out her father's evil deeds but a police detective (Sessue Hayakawa) is closing in on her. This is the first film from the series that I've seen and I've been told this is the weakest entry and I wouldn't be too shocked by that. One thing going for the film is that it goes by incredibly fast but sadly the direction is very flat, which makes the film rather lifeless throughout. There's no energy, no drama and certainly no suspense, which are things needed to make these type of films work. Oland only appears very briefly and the future Charlie Chan doesn't come off too well here. Oland comes off very bored as does Hayakawa. Most people only know Hayakawa from The Bridge on the River Kwai and they don't know he was a pretty big silent film star. He was certainly on the bottom of his career having to take a supporting role in this B film and you can tell he doesn't seem too thrilled in playing the part. Anna May Wong comes off very good in one of her only starring roles. Things pick up in the final ten minutes when we get some torture sequences.
** (out of 4)
Third film in Paramount's series, this film follows The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu and The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu. This time out, the evil Fu Manchu (Warner Oland) goes to kill another enemy but ends up getting killed himself. Before he dies however, he gives his evil reign to his daughter, Princess Ling Moy (Ana May Wong). Soon the daughter is carrying out her father's evil deeds but a police detective (Sessue Hayakawa) is closing in on her. This is the first film from the series that I've seen and I've been told this is the weakest entry and I wouldn't be too shocked by that. One thing going for the film is that it goes by incredibly fast but sadly the direction is very flat, which makes the film rather lifeless throughout. There's no energy, no drama and certainly no suspense, which are things needed to make these type of films work. Oland only appears very briefly and the future Charlie Chan doesn't come off too well here. Oland comes off very bored as does Hayakawa. Most people only know Hayakawa from The Bridge on the River Kwai and they don't know he was a pretty big silent film star. He was certainly on the bottom of his career having to take a supporting role in this B film and you can tell he doesn't seem too thrilled in playing the part. Anna May Wong comes off very good in one of her only starring roles. Things pick up in the final ten minutes when we get some torture sequences.
Much better than 5.7
nelsonhodgie5 May 2023
The great Anna May Wong in one of her best roles. At 26, she was perhaps at the zenith of her beauty . Daughter of the Dragon gives her ample opportunity to look terrific in a variety of western and Chinese costumes. The story is a terrific rollercoaster ride involving asassination attempts, hidden doorways, mysterious nightclubs, and some horrific hints of torture. In actual fact, Daughter of the Dragon would make a great pic to watch around Halloween. There's some fun to be had in the camp performance of the butler Rogers but really this is Anna's film. She was never more magnificently sinister nor more beautifully tender. A must for her fans or fans of hokey but fun early 30s thrillers.
DR. FU MANCHU IS YOUR FATHER!!!!
tcchelsey10 May 2022
The two to watch in this nifty ole thriller are Anna May Wong (in the title role) and pre-Charlie Chan Warner Oland (as the nefarious Dr. Fu Manchu). Like father, like daughter and vice versa has Wong on a path of revenge, replete with secret passageways traps doors and all the other creepy amenities you would customarily find in your average haunted castle. Paramount's "horror film" unit had a lot of fun putting this one together and it shows. It's also interesting to watch Oland in a bad guy role, and he is extremely convincing as Fu Manchu, and probably a role he would be most associated with had it not been for the entrance of humble hero Charlie Chan. Sessue Hayakawa, another fine actor, is cast as a detective who is attracted to Wong! Oh, the humanity! Well directed by Lloyd Corrigan who handled just about anything to everything, cranking out dozens of entertaining films in addition to being a fun character actor. Finally on dvd for completists and late, late night entertainment!
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