The Purple Dawn
| The Purple Dawn | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Charles R. Seeling |
| Written by | Charles R. Seeling |
| Produced by | Charles R. Seeling[2] |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography |
|
| Distributed by | Aywon Film Corporation[3] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 5 reels[4] |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
The Purple Dawn[5] is a 1923 silent romantic drama film that was produced, written, and directed by Charles R. Seeling.[1][6][7] It stars Bessie Love, Bert Sprotte, and William E. Aldrich.
Plot
In San Francisco's Chinatown, Mui Far (Love), a Chinese-American girl, falls in love with a young white sailor (Aldrich), who is robbed when he attempts to deliver a package of opium. The sailor meets a white girl in the country, and falls in love with her. The original owners of the opium think that the sailor stole the opium, and kidnap him and his new sweetheart. Mui Far is heartbroken, but rescues the sailor and his new sweetheart. She then commits suicide by walking into San Francisco Bay at dawn.[1][4][6][8]
Cast
- Bessie Love as Mui Far[1][6][9]
- Bert Sprotte as "Red" Carson, the sea captain and dope smuggler
- Edward Peil, Sr. as Wong Chong, the Tong leader[10]
- William E. Aldrich as Bob, the hero
- James B. Leong as Quan Foo
- J.P. Ogden[6]
- William Horne as Mr. Ketchell
- Priscilla Bonner as Ruth Ketchell, Bob's sweetheart
Reception
The film received good reviews, although the scene where the hero receives a beating was deemed "far too brutal to please the eye."[6]
See also
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e Munden, Kenneth White, ed. (1971). The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films 1921–1930. p. 623.
- ^ a b Love 1977, p. 151
- ^ "Among the 'Independents'". The Film Daily: 7. January 11, 1923.
- ^ a b Motion Picture News Booking Guide. Vol. 5. October 1923. p. 42.
- ^ All contemporaneous reviews and advertising for the film include "The" in the title.
- ^ a b c d e "Oriental Drama That Will Be Good For Some Box Offices". The Film Daily: 18. April 15, 1923.
- ^ "Brevoort". Brooklyn Life. Brooklyn, New York. May 5, 1923. p. 14.
- ^ Love 1977, p. 78
- ^ "Seeling Finishes 'The Purple Dawn'". Moving Picture World: 684. October 21, 1922.
- ^ Called "Wong Chang" by some sources.
- Bibliography
- Love, Bessie (1977). From Hollywood with Love: An Autobiography of Bessie Love. London: Elm Tree Books. OCLC 734075937.
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