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 p... Read allIn 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.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.
- Humpy
- (uncredited)
- Police Officer
- (uncredited)
- Detective at Party
- (uncredited)
- Member of Black Mikes Gang
- (uncredited)
- Policeman arresting Madden
- (uncredited)
- Chinese Girl
- (uncredited)
- Chinese Girl at Chang Lows
- (uncredited)
- Chinese Girl at Chang Lows
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWas found in the estate of farmers wife Miss Bishman where a traveling man left the prints and never returned.
- GoofsThe name of San Francisco's Nob Hill is misspelled "Knob Hill" in a title.
- Quotes
Black Mike Sylva: I knew you'd fall for that cop stuff - you dirty rat!
- ConnectionsFeatured in Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000)
The main reason OUTSIDE THE LAW is around today is that it marks an early collaboration between director Tod Browning and Lon Chaney but the movie was made as a starring vehicle for Priscilla Dean who was Universal's biggest star in 1921. She was a carryover from the late teens when how a woman acted was more important than how she looked. Priscilla would be considered too heavy by later standards (especially today's) but she was attractive, intelligent, and resourceful. No man was needed to save her as she could more than take care of herself. That was the principal theme in most of her movies as her characters were strong and independent although she usually fell in love at the end and wound up with the leading man.
The story is set in San Francisco's Chinatown and concerns a gangster and his feisty daughter (Dean) who are being reformed by a sympathetic Chinese philosopher who follows the teachings of Confucius. They cross paths with "Black Mike" Sylva (Chaney), a thoroughly despicable hoodlum who frames Dean's father forcing her to go "outside the law" in order to clear his name. They are aided by a young safecracker (Wheeler Oakman, Dean's real life husband) and the philosopher's Chinese servant (also Chaney) as they battle "Black Mike" and his gang leading to the climatic free-for-all. In addition to the performers, the movie is noteworthy today as a prototype for film noir with its dark lighting, interesting camera set-ups and tight editing.
The problem for a modern audience is that, even though they are sympathetic, the main Chinese characters are played by white actors which was standard practice for the day. The philosopher doesn't look Asian at all and Chaney's make-up, though remarkable, is strictly caricature with slant eyes and buck teeth. Personally it doesn't bother me as I always try to view old movies within the context and the time period of when they were made but there are many people today who would find it offensive. If you can get past that then what you have is a crackerjack crime film with a strong heroine, a vile villain, and a powerhouse ending. This is one of two Priscilla Dean Blu-Rays that have just been made available (the other is DRIFTING / WHITE TIGER) from Kino. Thanks to them and to Universal for making this unjustly forgotten star available once again...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.
- TheCapsuleCritic
- Jul 7, 2024
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- Release date
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- Also known as
- Izvan zakona
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1