User Reviews

This film doesn't land in the masterpiece category but it has all the essentials needed to make it entertaining and very worth watching. The story about love, spousal abuse,jealousy, cruel prejudice and extreme religious fervor are timeless ones which provide good roots for the plot to grow and branch out. Marguerite De La Motte's acting performance is just right with facial expression and gestures that convey their intent but are not overdone. I thought all the acting was pretty good but it is Lon Chaney who, of course, captures your heart and emotions with his portrayal of Yen Sin. His masterful skill is evidentas he maintains that hunched over posture throughout the film and makes you believe he is an old Chinese man with poignant expression while wearing considerably little make-up.

Yen Sin's character is one of depth. We are given insight to his kindness and selflessness on many occasions.His kindness to the little kitten (when he gives the kitten his new pillow and does without himself) is just one of many touching moments that give us an interest in this character which stays fervent until the film's end. I would recommend this film not only to Chaney fans, but to anyone who likes silents,as it is a picture with a moderate length, timeless topic, and great acting.

Wow! If you had any doubts at all, any - about Lon Chaney's skills as an actor, then Shadows should make a believer out of you as Lon gives one of his very best performances as a meek, hobbling Chinese cripple who does laundry in a small fishing village. Yen Sin is a very complex character for a film so early as he is kind and Christian in reality but to most of the village he is seen as a non-believing heathen and an Oriental. Prejudice flys all over this film as those that demand Yen Sin convert openly defy the very principles they want to force on him, and Yen Sin sees no reason to convert because of this very reason. He sees people for what they truly are - at least that is what I got out of it. Chaney's performance rises way above the source material here as the main story is not about Yen Sin, but rather about a young, principled minister marrying a woman whose husband was recently declared dead at sea. But wait! Just like any good melodrama, some one is very unhappy and secretly loves the young woman. Is it her husband who really was not dead at all? Maybe it was the minister's deacon and best friend? Perhaps is was Yen Sin himself, or maybe the little fat boy that had befriended Yen Sin because he gave him his Lychee nuts? Tune in to find out!

Chaney's performance as the chinese launderman is really the only thing lifting this film above the level of mediocre. Still, it provides a story with gothic overtones, albeit cliched ones. A woman (De La Motte, always competent) marries an evil seafarer who meets an early grave at sea; she marries the new town parson. But a jealous 3rd party convinces the parson that the first husband is still alive, blackmailing him in that man's name and driving him to stop sleeping with his wife (hence the gothic element of "true love thwarted"). It's up to Chaney, of course, to clear it all up and be "converted" (as usual, see "The Penalty") on his death-bed.

Chaney's make up is excellent, although not quite as astounding as his asian makeup for the later "Mr. Wu" (in which he appeared as 100 + years old). His playing is somewhat coy, in keeping with the tone of the film in general. As usual, we don't get to see as much of him as of the film's leading man, in this case the stolid Ford (slightly better than he usually is here).

Should be seen by Chaney fans, but may not be the best introduction to Chaney's art (as suggested by others) -- his gothic masterpieces being of course "The Unknown" and "He Who Gets Slapped" as well as the memorable "Unholy 3" and others. Unfortunately, this film ("Shadows") falls for me into the category of overblown films that feature excellent Chaney performances (such as "Phantom of the Opera" and "Hunchback of Notre Dame").

This interesting movie is very much a mixed bag. Lon Chaney gives another outstanding performance as Yen Sin, a Chinese man. With very little makeup, and a very expressive body, he gives us a sympathetic portrayal of a Chinese man who is not always treated nicely by the local townfolk. The screenplay is very daring for the time, as Asians were mostly portrayed as slant-eyed villains at the time, and Chinese were referred to as "Chinks". This is a very impressive production for a film that was not produced by a major studio.

On the other hand the direction of the film is mediocre. Director Tom Forman stages much of the action in long-shot. We rarely get a close-up view of Chaney or even Marguerite De La Motte, the heroine of this story.

This film is highly recommended for Lon Chaney, Sr. fans, and for those studying how American Cinema portrayed minorities in the 1920's.

"Shadows" is another remarkable performance from the legendary Lon Chaney. In this story, he plays a Chinese immigrant Yen Sin, who appears on the scene following his rescue at sea after a violent storm.

The lovely Marguerite De La Motte is the heroine, Sympathy who is married to the brutish Daniel Gibbs (Walter Long) who was apparently lost at sea in the same storm. Along comes a new minister, Harrison Ford (no, not THAT Harrison Ford) who falls in love with the heroine. John St. Polis plays the Minister's faithful friend (or is he?) who is also in love with Miss Sympathy. Mixed in with all of this melodrama are the Minister's efforts to convert the Chaney character.

Chaney's makeup, as always, is astounding. He basically becomes his character and makes you believe that he IS Yen Sin. You just can't help but feel a little sorry for him. He minds his own business despite all of the pressures around him until the final reel when he reveals an unexpected turn of events.

I wish that more of Chaney's movies were available. He was and is one of the true greats of the silent screen.

SHADOWS (Preferred Studios, 1922), directed by Tom Forman, is a little known silent production featuring the legendary "Man of a Thousand Faces" Lon Chaney (1883-1930), a year before his triumph as Quasimodo in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (Universal, 1923). Best known for his versatility in a wide range of unique characters bearing different faces from one film to the next, SHADOWS has him portraying a lonesome Chinaman, one of several in his long range of screen roles. Aside from squinted eyes, his character sports his hair cut evenly around the top of his head, and shoulders not in the hunchback tradition but slightly in forward position. Unlike other American actors in their attempt in portraying Orientals, typically villains instead of heroes, Chaney breaks away somewhat from that stereotype by concentrating more on the heart and soul of his character, although his spoken words through the use of title cards fails to break from the Hollywood tradition, speaking in typical broken English, Chinese style.

Taken from "Ching Ching Chinaman" by Wilder Daniel Steel, the story opens with a plot development set in a fishing village of Urkey that introduces an attractive woman named Sympathy (Marguerite De La Motte), trapped in a loveless marriage to Daniel Gibbs (Walter Long), "admiral of the fishing fleet," a union arranged years ago by her now deceased father. One night a storm breaks out, drowning Gibbs and washing ashore the mysterious Yen Sin (Lon Chaney), identified as a Chinese cook and lone survivor of a sunken ship. Because he refuses to take part in the community in prayer, Yen Sin is cast aside, addressed as a "heathen" by a leading missionary. Regardness of racial prejudices he encounters, Yen Sin settles in the New England village, living on a houseboat where he supports himself as a laundryman. Although not a religious man by nature, he has a good heart and forgiving soul. Hoping to be accepted by the community, he makes his first step with "Mista Bad Boy" (Buddy Messinger) by winning him over by giving him Chinese lechee nuts shortly after being teased unkindly by him and his friends. Enter John Malden (Harrison Ford), a new minister in town, who takes an interest in both Yen Sin, whom he tries to convert, and the lovely widow, Sympathy, whom he soon marries, much to the dismay of Nate Snow (John St. Polis), owner of everything in town except what he wants, Sympathy. All goes well with the young couple, complete with their infant daughter, Ruth. However, things start to change for the minister as he starts receiving letters indicating that Gibbs is very much alive. Believing that he has "coveted thy neighbor's wife," John's personal life is tormented with guilt and fear, unable to inform Sympathy of what's been bothering him and give a good sermon in church on Sundays. Because of his friendship with Yen Sin, it's up to him to reveal the secret that could possibly save him from possible disgrace. And what's the secret? Only the shadows know.

Regardless of Chaney's name heading the cast, most of the attention centers upon his co-stars, Marguerite De La Motte, remembered mostly as Douglas Fairbanks frequent co-star in such notable productions as THE MARK OF ZORRO (1920) and THE IRON MASK (1929), and Harrison Ford (no relation to the popular actor of latter years). Ford's character as the guilt-ridden minister almost resembles that of the Reverend Dimmesdale from Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter," where the minister from that story has fathered the child of a married woman whose husband, too, is believed to have perished at sea. Though no scarlet letters this time around but letters of blackmail and mystery, it's Lon Chaney whose performance holds attention throughout its 68 minutes of screen time. Others members in the cast include: Priscilla Bonner (Mary Trent); and Frances Raymond (Emsy Nickerson).

A melodrama with a moral message that could very well be a passage from the Bible, SHADOWS is of great interest today due to Lon Chaney. Distributed through a minor film studio, SHADOWS is fortunate to have survived at all considering how many silent films have disappeared throughout the years. One of its known TV revivals happens to be on a public television series, "The Toy That Grew Up" that aired periodically between 1965 and 1972, especially on WNET, Channel 13, in New York City. Availability on video cassette was through Blackhawk in the 1980s, and Kino Video a decade later, each acquiring the same organ score by Gaylord Carter. Currently in the DVD format, SHADOWS can often be found as part of the double bill with another rarely seen Chaney silent, OUTSIDE THE LAW (1921). To learn more about Chaney and his style of acting, take a look at SHADOWS and whatever else that's currently available. He was truly a remarkable actor. (***)

In Urkey, a Maine fishing village, "sturdy folk" follow the "simple faith of their fathers." All in the town agree there is no better woman walking the face of the earth than pretty Marguerite De La Motte (as Sympathy Gibbs). You'll have to wonder why her father hooked her up with despicable husband Walter Long (as Daniel Gibbs). During a storm, Ms. De La Motte prays for Mr. Long's safe return; but the Lord moves in mysterious ways; and, Long is lost in a shipwreck. This leaves widow De La Motte available to the unmarried male townfolk, especially interested is John Sainpolis (as Nate Snow). Among the shipwreck survivors is Lon Chaney (as Yen Sin); a heathen Chinese man; he takes up residence in town. Mr. Chaney makes his living by (you guessed it) taking in laundry. Soon, young minister Harrison Ford (as John Malden) arrives. Mr. Ford wants to both win the widow De La Motte's hand in marriage, and convert Mr. Chaney to Christianity.

The film's story supposes you accept that Chinese people are heathens, who need to be converted; in fact Minister Gibbs' job preference was to become a Far East missionary. Caucasian Chaney's portrayal of an Asian is ultimately inauthentic, but valiant; in the context of the times, his "Yen Sin" was likely considered a sensitive characterization. Even if you accept the "Shadows" premise, the melodramatics are more than a little difficult to swallow. Of, course, Chaney's character demonstrates more goodness than otherwise, before his conversion.

****** Shadows (11/10/22) Tom Forman ~ Lon Chaney, Harrison Ford, Marguerite De La Motte

Shadows is a very powerful film, yet it draws you into its story slowly, almost seductively. A story of racial prejudice, pride, love, tolerance, betrayal, friendship, and spirituality. Not something you expect from a silent film in 1922, created while others were making silly flapper and sheik movies.

A new Christian pastor (Harrison Ford the First) arrives in a little seafaring town and falls in love with a woman he believes to be a widow (Marguerite de la Motte). They marry, but a shadow is over the marriage in the form of a jealous man pretending to be their friend (John St. Polis). He devises a way to make the pastor believe that his wife's former husband is still alive, and begins blackmailing him. The pastor, now a young father, doesn't want to shame his wife before the townspeople and so he quietly gives in to the demands for money.

Meanwhile a Chinaman, Yen Sin (Lon Chaney), who at first is ostracized by the townspeople, then accepted, begins to catch on to the false friend's secret motivations. A final confrontation leads to Yen Sin's conversion to Christianity, but not before the pastor humbly forgives his false friend. We were shown previously that the pastor had tried to win Yen Sin to faith in Jesus Christ by simply presenting the gospel to him from the Bible, but Yen Sin would not believe. He had not seen anyone's faith in action until the moment the pastor forgives his enemy, as Christ forgave His enemies. Then Yen Sin finally believes; there must be something to this religion after all. It's a very powerful moment.

All the cast members are excellent, and I personally like the direction of this film by Tom Forman, and don't feel it was poorly done just because there weren't that many close ups. I feel there were more than enough to satisfy the audience of that time, and even for our own time. Plus, you needed longer body shots to see body languages of the characters involved, which told a lot about their inner motivations and thoughts. Sometimes close ups reveal too much, too soon.

Also of special note is little Buddy Messinger, a child star of the time, whose friendship with the Chinaman is quite touching.

All in all, an excellent little story of faith and friendship, with well rounded performances. An 8 out of 10.

A magnificently acted film by Lon Cheney and, to a slightly lesser extent, the rest of the cast. Marguerite De La Motte is not only beautiful, but exceptionally expressive for a starlet of her time. The writing is also wonderful, with likable characters, a plot that unfolds only as it needs to, and a wonderfully suspenseful climax. Also, the story stays engaging throughout, whereas other films of the time, especially dramas, have a tendency to drag at points. A slightly disappointing ending seems to reinforce the rather egotistical view that everyone is better off Christian, but this can be forgiven in light of the films numerous merits.

I am not that familiar with the films of Lon Chaney, Sr. I first saw this sometime in the 1960's on Chicago's local PBS station. As I was about 15 years old at the time, I didn't appreciate old films or silent films as I do now. I do remember that the main characters names were Sympathy and Malden. Malden was actually the hero's sir name, but he is referred to through as "Malden". The moralistic story hinges on the marriage of an idealistic minister to a woman recently widowed. There is intrigue and blackmail involved, and it is up to Lon Chaney to help set things straight. He gives a very touching performance as a Chinese. His expressive face puts forth a convincing performance as a lovely, gentle soul. The DVD transfer was acceptably clean and there is a generic classical musical score underlining this version. This film appealed to me a great deal, much more so than when I was a kid.

For those of you have not yet discovered Tom Forman's "Shadows," you are missing out on what is perhaps the greatest film of all time. Those who are not concerned with spiritual and moral questions will probably dismiss the movie as a melodrama. Asians might be offended by the stereotype of the protagonist of the movie, Yen Sin, though in the end, the movie pays tribute to the deep wisdom and nobility of its main character. Those who think the movie is mediocre, may not have given a great deal of thought to the central questions of life. It is difficult to overstate the philosophical profoundity of this movie. To appreciate "Shadows", we must think outside the box, regarding our own viewpoint about the use of stereotypes, our prejudices against evangelical Christians, and the like. The movie subtly raises questions about the nature of man, for example, "Does the divine intervene in human affairs?" (Yen Sin's arrival by boat during a storm, and departure by boat when the storm is over.) "Is evil real" (or are they just 'Shadows' as the title suggests?) What is the difference between true religion and the outward form of religion? What is truly noble in man? Why do we fail to see the divine image in man? These are just a few of the questions raised by this movie - which many mistake for a simple melodrama. For those of you who missed the point of the movie, I recommend a second look. For those of you who haven't seen it, I recommend it as the most profound, and most ennobling work of art I have ever seen. But then again, much will depend on your openness to these questions.

Yen Sin (Chaney) was washed ashore in a storm in the Christian fishing community of Urkey. Most of the Christian's there shunned him, pushed him around a bit, but Yen Sin found a friend in John Malden and a couple of others. He was considered to be a Heathen by most of the community but since Malden accepted him as a Christian brother most of the others reluctantly did the same. Yen Sin did laundry for most of them lived on a small houseboat while there. One day Yen got sick, was dying and the community wanted him to confess his sins - but Yen told them all I will if you will Nate Snow! Nate was forced to confess things he didn't want to do, same with Yen's friend Malden. In the end, Yen confessed and wanted to be left alone with God, all left him alone... he untied his boat and so he could sail back to China. Yen will be taken away as he entered - by a storm.

Great performances by all cast members, the story I liked better than I thought I would and I would recommend this one for fans of classic films. Very moving story in the end.

8.5/10