The Vermilion Pencil Explained

The Vermilion Pencil
Director:Norman Dawn
Based On:[1]
Starring:Sessue Hayakawa
Ann May
Misao Seki
Bessie Love
Sidney Franklin
Cinematography:Joseph A. Du Bray
Studio:Robertson–Cole Pictures Corporation
Distributor:Robertson–Cole
Runtime:5 reels; 4,900 feet
Country:United States
Language:Silent (English intertitles)

The Vermilion Pencil is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Norman Dawn, and produced and distributed by Robertson–Cole. It is based on the eponymous 1908 novel by Homer Lea. The film stars Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa in multiple roles, and white actors Ann May, Bessie Love, and Sidney Franklin, all in Asian roles. It is now a lost film.[2] [3]

After completing this film, Hayakawa learned that members of the studio who made the film were active in the anti-Japanese movement, and he left Hollywood for over a decade.[4] [5]

Production

Extras were cast from Chinatown, Los Angeles, and the value of the costumes worn by the principals cost $20,000[6] . To darken her hair for the film, Bessie Love used mascara.[7] Despite this, Love called the film "thoughtfully produced".[8]

Exteriors were filmed in the Sierra Nevada mountains.[9] Some scenes were filmed at the Hollywood home of Adolph and Eugene Bernheimer, now the Japanese restaurant Yamashiro.

Plot

In China, Tse Chan (Hayakawa) flees to the mountains after his wife (May) is executed under the command of the unscrupulous Ling Chee.

His son Li Chan (also Hayakawa), who has grown up in America, returns to China many years later as a successful civil engineer. Li falls in love with the beautiful Hyacinth (Love), who is betrothed to the viceroy Fu Wong (Franklin). Li takes a position as Hyacinth's private tutor, and the pair escape to the mountains.

They hide in the crater of a volcano and are captured when they nearly suffocate from the fumes. The viceroy is about to have them executed when The Unknown (also Hayakawa) helps them escape by sacrificing himself in the volcano, causing it to erupt.[10] [11] [12] [13]

Cast

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews,[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] and was commercially successful.[19] [20] The visuals were consistently acclaimed. Hayakawa's performance received positive reviews.[21] Bessie Love's performance and star power were noted as a box office draw.[22]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lea, Homer. The Vermilion Pencil: a Romance of China. Homer Lea. New York. McClure. 1908. 908003890.
  2. Book: The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Feature Films 1921–1930. Munden. Kenneth W.. R.R. Bowker Company. New York. 1971. 664500075. 857. registration.
  3. Web site: The Vermilion Pencil / Norman Dawn [motion picture]]. Library of Congress.
  4. Book: Distinguished Asian Americans: A Biographical Dictionary. registration. 110. Hyung-Chan. Kim. Dorothy. Cordova. Stephen S.. Fugita. Franklin. Ng. Jane. Singh. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1999. 978-0-313-28902-6.
  5. Book: Hayakawa, Sessue. Zen Showed Me the Way. 155–6. London. Allen & Unwin. 1961. 475643804.
  6. Bringing the Orient to the U.S.A.. February 11, 1922. 14. Pantomime. Sue. McNamara.
  7. News: Celestial: Class A—1. Bessie Love. Bessie. Love. June 13, 1967. The Christian Science Monitor. 8.
  8. News: Grease Paint and the Rent. Bessie Love. Bessie. Love. December 5, 1969. The Christian Science Monitor. 12.
  9. Jessen's Studio News by Wire. Motion Picture News. 2576. November 12, 1921.
  10. Newest Reviews and Comments. Moving Picture World. 299. March 18, 1922. Mary. Kelly.
  11. Reviews: Vermilion Pencil . Exhibitors Herald . 14 . 13 . 59 . Exhibitors Herald Company . New York City . March 25, 1922 .
  12. Book: Motion Picture News Booking Guide. October 1922. 75. New York. Motion Picture News.
  13. The Vermilion Pencil. Peter. Andrews. Motion Picture Magazine. 49–53, 102.
  14. What the Picture Did for Me. Exhibitors Herald. 65. August 5, 1922. P.E.. Packwood.
  15. What the Picture Did for Me. Exhibitors Herald. Jack Jr.. Hickey. August 12, 1922. 88.
  16. The Voice of the Box Office. Exhibitors Trade Review. July 8, 1922. 483.
  17. The Voice of the Box Office. Exhibitors Trade Review. 548. 12. 7. July 15, 1922.
  18. The Voice of the Box Office. Exhibitors Trade Review. 116. June 10, 1922. 12. 2.
  19. The Voice of the Box Office. July 29, 1922. Exhibitors Trade Review. 662. 12. 9.
  20. U.B.O. Books R–C Picture 'Vermilion Pencil' for 80 Days. Moving Picture World. April 1, 1922. 466.
  21. Consensus of Published Reviews. 544. Moving Picture World. April 1, 1922.
  22. Contemporary Criticisms. Camera!. 14–5. April 1, 1922. 4. 51.