Old San Francisco

1927 "A Romance of the Days When 'Frisco Was the Paris of America!---The Barbary Coast!---The Fire of 1906!---Massive!---Unprecedented"
6.4| 1h28m| en| More Info
Released: 04 September 1927 Released
Producted By: Warner Bros. Pictures
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Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

In San Francisco, a villainous landowner with underworld connections seeks to steal the property of an old Spanish family.

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Reviews

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.
Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.
Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
davidjanuzbrown Delores Costello ( Delores Vasquez) and the earthquake ( and it's aftermath) are the main reasons to see this movie. I know it will not appeal to many people because to some it is not Politically Correct showing the Chinese as bad guys ( especially Warner Oland ( who later played Charlie Chan) as the half white half Mongolian villain Chris Buckwell) and ( or) because it is a Silent Movie. The funny thing is there are equal opportunity bad people in the movie, not just Asian. There was John Miljan who played bad guy Don Luis ( Hispanic), and Andres Randolph ( Caucasian Lawyer Michael Brandon). spoilers ahead: What the story is really about is the greed of the people from the City Of San Francisco versus a traditional way of life that you see in the Vasquez Family. You see it with the murder of Don Hernandez de Vasquez brother because of the Gold Rush, and the death of Don Hernandez because of greed and Chris Buckwell. There are two things that represent the Vasquez Family: Their strong Catholic Faith and the family sword that they have used against their enemies. There is also a love story involving Delores and Irish Lawyer Terrence ( Terry) O'Shaughnessy ( Charles Emmitt Mack).He is the hero of the movie who saves the property from his uncle Andres ( who is working for Buckwell), then saves Delores from being raped by Buckwell, and finally rescues her after the earthquake. Basically, he will do whatever is necessary for her. Why? Take a look at Delores Costello. She was stunning. The only actresses in silent movies who looked better were Clara Bow and Renee Adoree. My favorite scene the final one with Terry and Delores and their daughter who is playing with the family sword in the family home which is in the Hills over the City Of San Francisco. It almost symbolizes the fact that not only did Delores Vasquez win, but the Vasquez Family way of life will continue on. 9/10 Stars.
MissSimonetta Old San Francisco (1927) had to have been made with only its special effects and Vitaphone soundtrack as the major attractions, because the story is extremely old-fashioned by 1927 standards. It feels like the sort of plot one would see in a movie from the 1910s.The characters are flat as can be, especially the ingenue played by Dolores Costello. Warner Oland plays the yellow peril villain, who indulges in every crime: stealing the property of others, imprisoning his dwarf brother, oppressing Chinese Americans, and sneaking into Costello's house at night in an attempt to sully her virtue. It's just terrible.One reviewer scolded the other user reviews for projecting contemporary attitudes onto an old film. While this gives the film a little leeway and I think we should put more energy into the still prevalent racism of current Hollywood cinema, that does not make the overt racism against Asian-Americans in this film okay or any less uncomfortable to watch.The effects are unimpressive compared to other special effects-heavy films of the decade and the acting is barely competent. Skip it.
wes-connors Through 1906, the proud Vasquez family has prospered in San Francisco; it is the land the Spanish family helped conquer, and settle. The sweetest rose in the Vasquez Rancho's fair garden is dreamy Dolores Costello (as Dolores Vasquez). Senorita Costello catches the eye, and heart, of Irish gentleman Charles Emmett Mack (as Terrence O'Shaughnessy), a business acquaintance distrusted by patriarch Josef Swickard (as Don Hernandez de Vasquez). Mr. Swickard wants his grand-daughter to marry another Spaniard, preferably a rich one. Then, cruel and crafty Warner Oland (as Chris Buckwell) and his Chinese "Mongol" gang threaten Dolores' life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.A relatively well-produced Darryl F. Zanuck silent. The time and place of "Old San Francisco" gives away the ending; of course, it's the great 1906 earthquake. Photographer Hal Mohr and director Alan Crosland collaborate for some nice images; for example, the shadowy Oland/Mack fight, and Chinatown's underground labyrinth. Supporting player Anna May Wong barely appears; but, Angelo Rossita is cute as a caged dwarf related to the villainous Mr. Oland.Unfortunately, the story wavers between ludicrous and despicable. If it weren't all so silly, it might have been even more offensive. *** Old San Francisco (6/21/27) Alan Crosland ~ Dolores Costello, Charles Emmett Mack, Warner Oland
edalweber I have seen this movie several times,and noticed things which other viewers have possibly overlooked.The main insults toward the Chinese come in a few tactless subtitles,and subtitles were often written by someone other than the plot writer.The Chinese are clearly shown as victims,particularly in the scene where the dignified leader of their businessmen stops his younger colleague,understandably enraged,from drawing his knife,reluctantly retreating before superior power.Certainly the Caucasians businessmen with whom Oland is in league are obviously no better than him.The scene with his brother is very telling.The brother is physically hideous,deformed to the point of seeming to be scarcely human.Oland is the epitome of the elegant,dignified "gentleman".Yet in that conversation,and later, it is obvious that it is Oland who is the dangerous monster,while his brother is the decent,honorable man.A very pointed lesson in not judging by appearances.What was obviously intended as irony is the part where Oland burns incense before the images of his gods,hypocritically begging "forgiveness" for the crimes against his own people ,including the ones that he intends to commit! His brother, his patience tried beyond endurance, sneers at him,"Monster,there is not enough incense in the world to hide the stench of your crimes from heaven!". HOW TRUE!And horribly common is such sickening hypocrisy today.Oland may not be in public office,but he is the very model of the typical POLITICIAN,a plague that afflicts all countries and all peoples.