ORIENTAL DRAMA

Evening Star, Issue 21169, 1 August 1932, Page 7

ORIENTAL DRAMA

FIHE FILI3 FOR EMPIRE Edward G. Robinson, one of the screen’s greatest character actors, seen variously as gangster, gambler, and editor. adds another characterisation to his long list of 41 parts ’’ as Wong Low Get. Chinese tong member, in ' The Honourable Mr Wong,’ which will be the next attraction for the Empire Theatre. Robin Son portrays a feared member of a tong, whose vowed duty is to carry out the edicts of the secret society by way of the hatchet, even when it is his' boyhood friend who must suffer the death penalty. New York critics have stated that' Robinson’s fulfilment of this oath of death to tong enemies furnishes a high spot in film drama, as well as a moment of 44 horror ” unusual in film annals.

The story is essentially dramatic, and is played against an authentic Oriental background, the scenes beinq; set in San Francisco Chinatown of today and fifteen years ago and in China. It reveals the similarity between the emotions and instincts of Oriental and Occidental, telling a love story which holds interest to the very end via the dramatically alive characterisations by Robinson and the supporting cast. Loretta Young, as Toya San, ward and wife of 4 The Honourable Mr Wong,’ becomes a beautiful Chinese girl for this picture. The direction by William A. Wellman, megaphoner of 4 Wings,’ 4 Public Enemy,’ 4 Night Nurse,’ and 4 The Star Witness.’ represents the best work of this practical artist of the movies. All the leading players he directed are white actors and actresses portraying Chinese men and women, the most notable example of unusual make-up being that which turns Loretta Young into a Chinese “ lotus flower.” Her portrayal of the part of Toya San has earned for her the title of 14 the girl Lon Chaney.” The management of the Empire Theatre is confident that 4 The Honourable Mr Wong ’ will receive a high place in the selections for the “ best pictures of the year,” and is certain that this city’s audiences will enjoy what he characterises as “ bigger and better typo of picture.”