Outside the Law is a 1920 American pre-Code crime romance thriller colorized classic film produced, directed and co-written by Tod Browning and starring Priscilla Dean, Lon Chaney and Wheeler Oakman.
One of a series of Universal Pictures vehicles produced for Priscilla Dean, Outside the Law features Lon Chaney in dual supporting roles and his second pairing with director Tod Browning. This was the first time Chaney played an Asian character. Stills exist showing Chaney in his dual roles.
Browning would remake the film in 1930 with a pre-Little Caesar Edward G. Robinson in Chaney's 1920 role as a gang leader. The film was gently reedited (a few of Chaney's scenes as "Ah Wing" were cut) and reissued theatrically in 1926. Several posters and lobby cards still exist from the film.
Plot:
In this early collaboration with director Tod Browning (Dracula, Freaks), Chaney delivers a dual performance of dramatic intensity, starring as Ah Wing, a kind-hearted student of Confucian philosophy, and Black Mike Sylva, a murderous rake of the San Francisco underworld.
Silent Madden, a criminal leader in San Francisco, and his gangster daughter Molly (Priscilla Dean) have forsaken a life of crime after receiving counsel from Chang Lo, a Confucianist philosopher living in Chinatown. A despicable gangster named Black Mike Sylva (Lon Chaney) frames Molly's father for murder, causing Molly to lose faith in abiding the law and prompting her return to a life of crime.
Black Mike plots to double-cross Molly as well during a jewelry theft, but Molly gets word from her gangster lover and foils Black Mike's plans. While hiding out from the law, Molly's hard heart is slowly melted by her gangster lover. The film ends with a climactic shootout in Chinatown. Through clever editing, Chaney's "Ah Wing" character shoots his "Black Mike" Silva character during the melee. The shootout itself took two weeks to film, although it only lasts a few minutes on screen.
Cast:
Priscilla Dean as Molly Madden (Silky Moll)
Wheeler Oakman as Dapper Bill Ballard
Lon Chaney in a dual role as "Black Mike" Sylva / Ah Wing
Ralph Lewis as Silent Madden
E. Alyn Warren as Chang Lo
Stanley Goethals as The Kid Across the Hall
Melbourne MacDowell as Morgan Spencer
Wilton Taylor as Inspector
John George as Humpy
Anna May Wong as Chinese Girl
Taglines:
UNIVERSAL JEWEL.
The Three Cleverest Crooks in the World!
A picture with a shiver in it.
For his cruel-relentless character you will hate him-yet Lon Chaney's personality will bring you to a sympathetic understanding.
CATCH THIS WOMAN!
Tricky eyes. Dangerous smile. Exquisitely gowned. Nimble fingers.
Film colorization by Colorized Public Domain YouTube channel. Film & Animation YouTube video category.
Copyright Status:
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928.
Public Domain Movie meaning:
Public Domain Movie means that no government, organization, or individual owns any copyright over the work, and as such it is common property.
Public Domain Movie is an intellectual property designation referring to the body of creative works and knowledge in which no person, government or organization has any proprietary interest such as a copyright. These works are considered part of the public cultural and intellectual heritage of content that is not owned or controlled by anyone and which may be freely used by all.
#FilmClassics #CultMovies #VintageCinema #ColorizedClassics #ColorizedMovies
