Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

SunnyHello Nice effects though.

Sabah Hensley This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Kimball Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

ironhorse_iv 1927 was only a few years after the real event, but Old San Francisco is far from anything real from history. The movie was just made to capitalize on the epic tragedy without any guide line on a real life story of survivable, so they made one up. That made up story was very racist, and it was written by Darryl F. Zanuck whom later became the producer of future anti-prejudice films in the 1940s. The film starts out with a lengthy prologue about the history of San Francisco. The opening felt like a lecture telling how Spanish aristocracy become to own the land by giving exampling by using one family name—the Vasquez. They show the history of the Vasquez with not needed scenes, until the story proper begins in 1906 at the hacienda of Don Hernandez Vasquez (Josef Swickard) and his lovely daughter Dolores (Dolores Costello). Already the film is lengthy, most of that prologue would better serve cut on the editing floor. The story should started with 1906, not 1700's. Don Hernandez is having financial problem with his ranch nonetheless refuses the entreaties of wealthy businessman Michael Brandon (Anders Randolf) and his lawyer Terrence O'Shaughnessy (Charles E. Mack) to purchase his property. Terrence became love struck by first sight with Dolores, but Vasquez refuse to sell the ranch, and send the two men away. The two men return to Chris Buckwell (Warner Oland), a rich powerful business man who ran illegal activities in China. Not only is he plotting to grab their land for himself, but also claim Dolores as his bride. Chris Buckwell has two big deep dark secrets under his skin. He's able to indulge in his illegal business without fear of retribution from his Chinese victims because people believe he is Caucasian status. Buckwell happens to Oriental. While, Warner Oland is really white and not Asian, Warner Oland was such a brilliant actor in this role, and pretty much help him get further roles playing Orientals such as Charlie Chan. While the movie shows some Asians in a negative light, it doesn't over do the stereotypes. While Buckwell might be over the top, with him trying to sell Dolores to white slavery and him keeping a midget brother in a cage. There are scenes where normal realAsians are trying to plead their case to the evil Buckwell. It wasn'tuntil ¾ of the film when the Earthquake came to play. It comes quick and end pretty much the same. It's really great to watch but it's not that long. Those special effects in 1927 were rather good in those days. It's still pretty interesting how they were able to do some of those scenes. Though beautifully photographed and consummately produced, the action in this historical drama moves the audience. Shot at the end of the silent era, Old San Francisco includes a Vitaphone soundtrack featuring synchronized music and sound effects that works well. The trouble with the film is its pace, it's over the top characters, and downright ignored of 1906 Earthquake itself. Check out the movie if you're a silent movie fan, if you want a better movie about the earthquake, check out 'San Francisco' 1938 film with Clark Gable.

MartinHafer One thing you sure have to say about OLD SAN FRANCISCO is that it is a very lovely film to see. The print, though very old, is in almost pristine shape (at least the version they showed on Turner Classic Movies) and the soundtrack exceptional. In addition, the director and cinematographer were absolutely brilliant--making the most of every scene with the most artistic touch for a silent I have seen in a very long time. Delores Costello is simply luminous thanks to them and so many of the scenes were treats for the eyes--such as the scene between Costello and her suitor at the fountain. It just doesn't get much prettier than this.As for the story, it was nice to see that Hollywood was trying to be sensitive towards Hispanic-Americans, as they are shown in a very sympathetic light. A major problem is that despite being so very pro-minority, none of the people playing these roles are Hispanic--a very common problem in Hollywood until the 1960s (and sometimes beyond). Today such a practice would be condemned--in 1927, it was par for the course. In this film, Delores Costello did a great job acting (she was terrific), but she looked about as Hispanic as Shirley Temple. If you don't believe me that such casting was common, try watching a Charlie Chan or Mr. Moto film---as these characters were repeatedly played by actors of European descent. In fact, Warner Oland who popularized the Chan role is even in this film playing the role of a big dumb jerk who happens to be a Mongolian man posing as a White man! Oh, and most of the Asians in this film are drug dealers, pimps or assorted low-lifes, so I am pretty sure Asian-Americans probably didn't line up to see this film! The story is about a family of noble Spanish blood living in San Francisco in the early 20th century. Though they have lived there before the Americans arrived, they are continually treated like outsiders as the Anglos and Chinese gangs take advantage of them again and again. Thanks to a nice young Irishman who has fallen for sweet Delores, the family has a benefactor and things might work out for the better....or not! See it for yourself to see if sweet Delores manages to escape the lecherous clutches of the Chinese underworld white slavers and greedy land speculators (for a hint: God doesn't like what is happening and perhaps He'll have to intervene).Despite the film's many shortcomings and overt racism as well as a sappy ending (all of which can be understood based on the age of the film and prevailing social mores), the film certainly IS exciting--mostly because of its scandalous subject matter and fast pace. This combined with the artistic nature of the film make it a film worth seeing. Just don't let your politically correct friends and co-workers know! The sight of Oland's midget brother kept locked in a cage throughout the film like a dog is just too much to bear.

dudeman5685 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.

gulino For those weary of political correctness and who pine for the "good old days" before racial sensitivity, this film is a good antidote. It apparently caused a riot by Chinese-Americans in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1927, for good reason. Asian characters are involved in every sort of illicit subterfuge, from the opiate trade to fraud to white slavery; they worship false gods and, being heathen, cannot withstand the pure, righteous sound of Christian church bells, nor overcome good old fashioned Christian prayer.Yikes!