Wu Li Chang (1930)
Drama | 31 October 1930
An item in the 23 Jun 1930 [Ogden, UT] Ogden Standard-Examiner noted that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. planned to produce a Spanish-language version of its 1927 silent film, Mr. Wu (see entry). Both pictures were adaptations of the 1914 play, Mr. Wu, written by Henry Maurice Vernon and Harold Owen. Ernesto Vilches was cast in the leading role (formerly played by Lon Chaney), after having appeared in that role on the Spanish stage.
The 6 Sep 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World cited a release date of 6 Aug 1930. However, a notice in the 30 Oct 1930 LAT announced that the world premiere was scheduled to take place the following day at Los Angeles, CA’s California International Theatre. The 1 Nov 1930 LAT included an advertisement for the film which encouraged Spanish students to attend, as Vilches spoke perfect Spanish in the picture. The 4 Nov 1930 Southern California Daily Trojan stated that the film’s run at the California International would end on 6 Nov 1930. Later openings, on 11 Feb 1931 at the Strand Theatre in Laredo, TX, and on 5 Mar 1931 at the Boulevard Theatre in Oxnard, CA, were advertised in the 10 Feb 1931 Laredo Times and 4 Mar 1931 Oxnard Daily Courier. ...
An item in the 23 Jun 1930 [Ogden, UT] Ogden Standard-Examiner noted that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. planned to produce a Spanish-language version of its 1927 silent film, Mr. Wu (see entry). Both pictures were adaptations of the 1914 play, Mr. Wu, written by Henry Maurice Vernon and Harold Owen. Ernesto Vilches was cast in the leading role (formerly played by Lon Chaney), after having appeared in that role on the Spanish stage.
The 6 Sep 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World cited a release date of 6 Aug 1930. However, a notice in the 30 Oct 1930 LAT announced that the world premiere was scheduled to take place the following day at Los Angeles, CA’s California International Theatre. The 1 Nov 1930 LAT included an advertisement for the film which encouraged Spanish students to attend, as Vilches spoke perfect Spanish in the picture. The 4 Nov 1930 Southern California Daily Trojan stated that the film’s run at the California International would end on 6 Nov 1930. Later openings, on 11 Feb 1931 at the Strand Theatre in Laredo, TX, and on 5 Mar 1931 at the Boulevard Theatre in Oxnard, CA, were advertised in the 10 Feb 1931 Laredo Times and 4 Mar 1931 Oxnard Daily Courier.
The great love of widower Wu Li Chang, a man of considerable culture, wealth and power in China, is his daughter Nang Ping, who, following tradition, has been promised in marriage to a mandarin. Ridiculing her father's vigilance, Nang Ping escapes from his palace and falls in love with Alfredo Gregory, an English gentleman, who wants to marry her. When Wu discovers this, he feels compelled to sacrifice the lives of the two lovers to appease the gods. With a broken heart, he kills his beloved daughter and, determined to fulfill the divine command, arranges a meeting with Gregory's mother, who offers her own life in place of her son's. Prepared to kill herself, she pours a powerful poison into a cup of tea which she will drink in Mr. Wu's presence. However, suspecting that she is trying to kill him, Wu switches his tea with hers and dies in horrible ...
The great love of widower Wu Li Chang, a man of considerable culture, wealth and power in China, is his daughter Nang Ping, who, following tradition, has been promised in marriage to a mandarin. Ridiculing her father's vigilance, Nang Ping escapes from his palace and falls in love with Alfredo Gregory, an English gentleman, who wants to marry her. When Wu discovers this, he feels compelled to sacrifice the lives of the two lovers to appease the gods. With a broken heart, he kills his beloved daughter and, determined to fulfill the divine command, arranges a meeting with Gregory's mother, who offers her own life in place of her son's. Prepared to kill herself, she pours a powerful poison into a cup of tea which she will drink in Mr. Wu's presence. However, suspecting that she is trying to kill him, Wu switches his tea with hers and dies in horrible pain.
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