*Wu Li Chang (1930) Spanish-Language Version and 50 similar items

Vintage original 11x14 in. US double-weight glossy photograph from the 1930's Spanish-language Chinese-themed murder melodrama, WU LI CHANG, released in the US in 1930 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Carlos F. Borcosque, Nick Grinde and others. This was a Spanish-language sound version of Lon Chaney's 1927 silent MGM version of Mr. Wu. The image features an interior close shot of the evil Wu Li Chang as portrayed by Ernesto Vilches, depicted wearing a traditional Chinese robe and hat as he gives a menacing expression that is complimented by the strong side-lighting. As indicated by a photographer's blind stamp in the right corner of the bottom border, this photograph was taken by the renowned Hollywood photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull, whose original photographs are among the most prized of all the famous Hollywood photographers during the Golden Age. Featured on the verso is a rubber stamp credit to Mr. Bull along with a handwritten number in pencil. Printed by MGM for the film's original 1930 release, this vintage original photograph was printed on double-weight stock with a glossy finish. It is is near-fine conditoin with a diagonal 1.25 in. tear on the right border in the top half which enters the background area; a light 1.25 in. diagonal crease in the right half of the top border that enters the background area; two small creases in the upper right portion of the image area; and signs of wear on the corners. The image quality is razor-sharp with fine detail and beautiful contrast. Rare. Plot: The great love of widower Wu Li Chang (Ernesto Vilches), a man of considerable culture, wealth and power in China, is his daughter Nang Ping (Angelita Benitez), who, following tradition, has been promised in marriage to a mandarin. Ridiculing her father's vigilance, Nang Ping escapes from his palace and falls in love with Alfredo Gregory (Jose Crespo), an English gentleman, who wants to marry her. When Wu discovers this, he feels compelled to sacrifice the lives of the two lovers to appease the gods. With a broken heart, he kills his beloved daughter and, determined to fulfill the divine command, arranges a meeting with Gregory's mother (Marcela Nivon), who offers her own life in place of her son's. Prepared to kill herself, she pours a powerful poison into a cup of tea which she will drink in Mr. Wu's presence. However, suspecting that she is trying to kill him, Wu switches his tea with hers and dies in horrible pain.