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Thanks for the memories!

Good movie but grossly overrated

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

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.

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.

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

Yeah I can agree with most of what the other reviewer said. There's no defending a movie with the lines "and it pierced his wicked Mongol heart" from charges of racism. But you can get into the plot and appreciate some of the cinematography, especialy the rancho and the Chinamens shrine. Might also point out that in the end it is the other Chinam-- er, Asian Americans who put the evil slumlord to justice.