A Tale of Two Worlds

1921 film

March 13, 1921 (1921-03-13)

Running time

6 reels; 5,649 feetCountryUnited StatesLanguageSilent (English intertitles)

A Tale of Two Worlds

A Tale of Two Worlds is a 1921 American silent drama film produced and distributed by Goldwyn Pictures and directed by Frank Lloyd. The film stars several well-known actors including Leatrice Joy, Wallace Beery, Edythe Chapman, and J. Frank Glendon. The film has been preserved at the Library of Congress.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Plot

Based upon a summary in a film publication,^[4] Ah Wing (Warren) saves a white child during the Boxer Rebellion and raises her as Chinese in America as Sui Sen (Joy). Ling Jo (Beery), a tong leader and slave trader, desires Sui Sen and enters a marriage contract with Ah Wing where he will search and give the Scepter of the Mings to Ah Wing in return for the girl. Ah Wing agrees because he does not believe that the scepter can be recovered, but when it is produced, he, while heartbroken, must keep his word. The wedding day is set and Ling Jo wants Sui Sen even after being told that she is white. Robert Newcomb (Glendon), a curio collector who has fallen in love with Sui Sen, and with the help of a young Chinese man called "The Worm" (Abbe), who also loves her, rescues her from the tong chief.

Cast

Leatrice Joy as Sui Sen
Wallace Beery as Ling Jo
E.A. Warren as Ah Wing
Jack Abbe as The Worm
J. Frank Glendon as Robert Newcomb
Edythe Chapman as Mrs. Newcomb, mother of Robert
Togo Yamamoto as One Eye, the Highbinder
Arthur Soames as Doctor Newcombe
Dwight Crittendon as Mr. Carmichael
Irene Rich as Mrs. Carmichael
Etta Lee as Ah Fah
Goro King as The Windlass Man
Margaret McWade as The Attendant
Ah Wing as Servant Spy
Louie Cheung
Chow Young

References

^ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1921-30 by The American Film Institute, c.1971
^ Progressive Silent Film List: A Tale of Two Worlds at silentera.com
^ Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress by The American Film Institute, c.1978
^ "A Tale of Two Worlds: Typical Chinese Atmosphere. Good Production and Well Acted". Film Daily. 15 (75). New York City: Wyd's Films and Film Folks, Inc.: 21 March 20, 1921. Retrieved March 14, 2014.