Chu Chin Chow (1934)

VCI is pleased to present this very rare 1934 British classic, based on the original Oscar Asche stage production which set records during its initial run of 2,238 performances at His Majesty's Theatre. Chu Chin Chow is entertainment on a generous scale, with an amazing story in the style of the Arabian Nights, an exceptional cast, a splendid musical score and a bright and richly mounted production. The movie is a musical retelling of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, complete with fantastic tortures and half clad slave girls. The production boasted lavish sets by Ernö Metzner and cinematography by Max Greenbaum, both top artists from the German Expressionism era. The original film was 102 minutes long. It was then cut by both British and American Distributors to 93 minutes and finally to 78. VCI's release is a three-disc box set containing the restoration of the original 102 minute version, along with the American version titled Ali Baba Nights, and as a bonus, the very rare 1935 film Abdul the Damned starring Fritz Kortner, who played Abu Hassan in Chu Chin Chow. Bonus Features: Original 'Uncut' British Production - Digitally Remastered| Commentary Track by Jay Fenton| Bonus: "Ali Baba Nights" - Cut-down American Version of "Chu Chin Chow"| Bonus: "Abdul the Damned" - Rare Classic Film starring Fritz Kortner (star of "Chu Chin Chow")| Collectible 'Liner Notes' Booklet by Jay Fenton| Anna May Wong Glamour Photo Gallery| Poster & Lobby Card Gallery| Pressbook Gallery| Bonus Music Tracks - "Vocal Gems from Chu Chin Chow"| Bonus Footage of Anna May Wong. Specs: 2-DVD5s + 2-DVD9; 102 minutes; B&W; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1934; SRP - $29.99.

A Musical Museum-Piece

Oscar Ashe and Frederic Norton's musical retelling of "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves," "Chu Chin Chow," made into a 1934 British film by Walter Forde, doesn't withstand the test of time. If anything, the movie version of this 1916 London stage show illustrates how the musical has changed over the decades.

In the years of "Chu Chin Chow's" success, the musical comedy was a relatively undemanding form. In both Britain and America, popular musical shows used rather thin, breezy plots, stories that served primarily as a vehicle for the songs -- pop hits which were expected to be sung in concerts and over the radio long after the show had finished its theatrical run. So entrenched was this tradition of the musical theatre, that very few shows before World War II strove to develop more substantial stories, and those that did have become enduring classics to postwar audiences: Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's "Show Boat" (1927), George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" (1935), and Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "Pal Joey" (1940). The stage musical that changed the form into one that regularly developed the story on a level equal to the songs was Rodgers and Hammerstein's phenomenally successful "Oklahoma!" (1943). Regrettably, "Chu Chin Chow" is not part of this more demanding evolution of the musical.

Instead of employing its musical numbers to advance plot and character, "Chu Chin Chow" sings about rather arbitrary subjects not directly related to story progression, and then distracts the viewer with its Arabian Nights-style pageantry. The musical's lack of cohesiveness is exemplified by its very title. If a narrative is titled "Chu Chin Chow," after one of its characters, the audience would reasonably expect that character to be significant in some way, whether it's as the protagonist or as a thematic presence throughout the story (e.g., James Joyce's "Ulysses"). But who is Chu Chin Chow? He's the murder victim of the musical's main antagonist, Abu Hasan (Fritz Kortner), and whose identity the bad guy then adopts for only part of the narrative. (I'm led to believe by the DVD's supplemental materials that the character of Chu Chin Chow was somewhat larger in the stage show than in the film, but hardly more significant.) Not only that, but the musical's Chinese title misleadingly suggests that the story is set in East Asia, rather than in the Middle East. This would be like Rodgers and Hammerstein titling their Oklahoma-set musical "South Philly."

When "Chu Chin Chow" was re-released in 1953, the film's distributor chopped out all the musical numbers and rechristened it "Ali Baba Nights" (included on the DVD), a less deceptive title. This should surprise no one. With the arguable exception of the love songs sung between the romantic leads, Nur-al-din Baba (John Garrick) and Marjanah (Pearl Argyle), the songs are intrusions onto the story. For example, "The Cobbler's Song" is a relatively long number given to a character whose function in the story is minimal; the song comes off as an extensive digression. As for Ali Baba (George Robey), he's given very few numbers, and his central showpiece, "Anytime's Kissing Time," is sung for polygamous reasons to a woman who is not his wife -- not something that will endear him to the audience.

Indeed, the seemingly arbitrary use of non-germane songs by minor characters emphasizes "Chu Chin Chow's" lack of focus. What is the central narrative thread? Who is the main character? Is it Ali Baba? He begins the film as its most active character but then grows rather inactive by its conclusion. Is it Nur-al-din and Marjanah? They play a major role in the climax but have comparatively little impact upon the story until then. Is it Abu Hasan? Although Kortner plays the role with over-the-top gusto, Hasan is a hard character to like, and the narrative is too light and airy to demand that the audience plumb the dark depths of identifying with a bad guy. The movie's razzle-dazzle Arabian Nights spectacle may distract us momentarily from these questions, but it can't rescue a movie sadly in need of a stronger narrative arc.

The only reason to watch "Chu Chin Chow" is to behold Anna May Wong's performance as Zahrat, the slave who begins as Hasan's spy and lover, but who ends the story with different loyalties. The movie is an all-too-rare chance to see the underutilized Chinese American actress in a prominent role, and perhaps the film's most important character. But even Wong's admirable efforts aren't enough to reclaim "Chu Chin Chow" for the thoughtful viewer. In keeping with the film's flamboyant tone, Wong joins the other actors in chewing the scenery and otherwise exaggerating her emotions; this is disappointing because her best performances are wonders of subtlety and restraint. Also, despite her centrality to the first half and climax of the movie, Wong spends much of the film's second half off-screen. "Chu Chin Chow" might have made for a more enduring tale if the narrative had made Zahrat the clear protagonist from the start and didn't waste so much time on Ali Baba and the other characters, who only distract the rambling storyline with expendable tangents.

As an uncommon chance to savor the screen presence of Anna May Wong in a lavish-for-its-time British extravaganza, "Chu Chin Chow" holds some modest rewards. But the film is, first and foremost, an artifact of the kind of musical that stronger and more story-driven Broadway offerings surpassed long ago.
February 23, 2007

Good But pretty Tame

I saw nothing in this Film that should of merited any sort Banning. In fact, I think for Kids, It might be a bit on the "slow side" of things for thier enjoyment, but as a adult, I most definatally appreciatted this film. I thoroughly enjoyed Anna's Charector as a Slave girl. I would tend to reccomend this for Serious Anna May Wong Fans and completists only. I Liked "Daughter of a Dragon Much More So, or Piccadilly is an another Film I'd Reccomend. The Anna May Wong Bio and Gallery contained on this DVD makes it a Must for the Collector. August 30, 2006

"astounding sets featuring an all star International cast ~ Chu Chin Chow"

VCI Entertainment is proud to present a very rare British classic "Chu Chin Chow" (1934) (digitally remastered), musical retelling of the "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" Arabian Nights tale with Director Walter Forde, writing credits by Oscar Asche (play) and Sidney Gilliat...the direction is astonishing in every department, sets are astounding and songs within each scene are pure melodic passages...the cast include George Robey (Ali Baba), Fritz Kortner ( Abu Hasan ), Anna May Wong (Zahrat), John Garrick (Nur-al-din Baba), Pearl Argyle (Maryana, servant girl), Lawrence Hanray (Kasim Baba)...special thanks goes to the restoration by Jan Wahl, filmmaker Elaine Mae Woo, film scholar Philip Liebried and memorabilia collector Ed Manwell for their gracious contributions to this project and Jay Allan Fenton (liner notes and commentary)...VCI is presentlng for the first time since its original release the complete 102 minute British version in digital format for the 70th anniversary of film's premier and 100th anniversary of Anna May Wong's birth...this is a real treat with a clear and crisp audio and video very much collectible for all the "film-classic-buffs" out there.

CHAPTER TITLES:
1. Title
2. "Here Be Oysters"
3. Inspection
4. Young Lovers
5. Mistress Chambers
6. Send a Message
7. "Where are the Robbers of the Wood"
8. "I Shiver I Shake with Fear"
9. Raid
10.Ali Baba Owes
11.Here is Chu Chin Chow?
12.Magic Fountain
13.Guest Room
14 "Corraline"
15.Two Little Words
16.Eavesdropping
17."Behold"
18.Loot for Your Lives
19.Rewards of Honest Labor
20.The Wheel Awaits You
21."Scimitar Song"
22.Desert Flower
23.Rough with the Smooth
24."The Cobbler's Song"
25.Robbed Robber
26."Anytime's Kissing Time"
27.Evil Plan
28.Dangerous Company
29.Jars of Men
30.The Dance
31.Taste My Vegance
32."Finale"

SPECIAL FEATURES:
DISC ONE: (Original Uncut British Production of "Chu Chin Chow" - 102 minutes)
1. Commentary Track by Jay Fenton
2. Anna May Wong Glamour Photo Gallery
3. Poster & Lobby Card Gallery
4. Pressbook/Stage Production Souvenir Book Gallery
5. Bonus Music Tracks
6. Elstree Calling "Pie Fight" Footage
7. Scenes from "Piccadilly"
8. Trailers: "Robinson Crusoe", "Hannibal" and "Blonde Ice"
9. Bios: Anna May Wong, George Robey, Fritz Kortner and Walter Forde (director)

SPECIAL FEATURES:
DISC TWO: ("Ali Baba Nights" - cut down American version of "Chu Chin Chow" - 93 to 78 minutes)
1. Bios: Fritz Kortner, George Robey, Anna May Wong and Walter Forde
2. Cartoon Short: "Popeye Meets Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves"
3. Poster & Lobby Card Gallery (with musical soundtrack inclusive)
4. Trailers: "Blonde Ice", "And Then There Were None" and "The Southerner"

On the third disc "Abdul the Damned" (1935), director Karl Grune, writing credits Roger Burford, and Warren Chetham Strode...as fine cast Fritz Kortner (Abdul Hamid II/Kelar, his double), Adrienne Ames (Therese Alder), Nils Asther (Chief of Police Kadar-Pasha), Esme Percy (Ali - eunuch), John Stuart (Capt. Talak-Bey), Charles Carson (Gen. Hilmi-Pasha), Patric Knowles (Omar - Hilmi's aide), Walter Rilla (Hassan-Bey) and Clifford Heatherley (Court doctor)...sultan of Turkey at the turn of the Century was Abdul Hamid...he hires a double to impersonate him...was the real Hamid wounded...is Turkey's government going to fall...brilliant film editing with an excellent musical score with a flare of the 30's English musicals...

SPECIAL FEATURES:
DISC THREE: ("Abdul; the Damned" - 103 minutes)
1. Bios: Fritz Kortner, Adrienne Ames and Nils Asther
2. Film Noir Trailers: "Slightly Scarlet", "T-Men", "The Scar", "Raw Deal", "The Limping Man", "Impact", "D.O.A." and "Blonde Ice"

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing this collection with an international cast...bright clear remastered digital transfere ...over three hours of bonus features...once again, a special thanks goes to the restoration by Jan Wahl, filmmaker Elaine Mae Woo, film scholar Philip Liebried and memorabilia collector Ed Manwell for their gracious contributions to this project and Jay Allan Fenton (liner notes and commentary)...looking forward to more of the same from the '30s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment for the hard to find classics from the past...the cover art and photo gallerys are full of pulp magazine illustrations...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 102 mins on 3 DVD ~ VCI Entertainment 8402 ~ (6/21/2005) September 11, 2005

Great transfer; Great extras

I contributed in a small way to this set so I may be biased but I found the transfer excellent and I particularly enjoyed the extras. I thought Mr. Fenton's commentary was helpful and well-done. I want to point viewers to the Piccadilly excerpt. It was very clear and sharp and the music accompanying the excerpt was better than in the BFI release (although the BFI version is also well worth watching). My interest in this film is mostly because of Anna May Wong and I think both her existing fans and those who want to learn about her will benefit from watching this release. July 30, 2005

For die-hard fans or the very curious

For those of you out there who adore Anna May Wong (and there seem to be quite a few), or have an interest in early 20th century British musicals (!?), this should be a fun way to spend a couple of hours. I'm neither, however, so I found it pretty tough going. Neither the material nor the acting is particularly distinguished, and the "direction" is non-existent. (This is one of those films that looks almost entirely made up of first takes.) It may be a bit harsh to judge "Chu Chin Chow" by today's standards, but this WAS the era of Astaire & Rodgers, the Broadway Melody films and countless other wonderful movie musicals. Perhaps the British film industry was less interested in financing this type of thing. There seems to be some discrepancy amongst reviewers as to the quality of the DVD transfer. I'm on the side of pretty awful. I'm not sure why any distributor would go to the trouble of issuing a deluxe 3-disc (!) set of an obscure film curiosity without doing a better job of cleaning it up. And the soundtrack is hopelessly compromised, particularly during songs, the lyrics of which fly by unintelligably. (Subtitles would have helped a lot, but sadly they don't exist.) All in all "Chu Chin Cow is a must see...but only if you must. July 28, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...