(imdb)
THE
TONG MAN-1919-Louie Toy (Toyo Fujita), antiques and opium dealer is
assisted by his daughter Sen Chee (non-Asian actress Helen Jerome
Eddy). Sen Chee is in love with Luk Chen (co-producer Sessue
Hayakawa), Tong leader Bo Sing's most feared hatchet man. Chee
convinces dad to hide sailor Lucero (Yutaka Abe), who murdered a man.
Chen plans to return to China as a wealthy man but rival Tong leader
Ming Tai (Marc Robbins) decides Toy must die for not paying him
tribute. The assassins draw lots. Guess who gets to eliminate Toy?
Chen of course. He sets up Toy for the kill but his love for Chee
stops him. Later, Taj tells Toy he will have Chen killed if Toy
agrees to let him marry Chee. Chee tries to kill herself and Lucero
warns Chan he's marked for death. He rescues Chee and fights Toy who
has a change of heart about the marriage. After Tai kills Toy himself
and has Chee kidnapped, Chan and Lucero go for revenge. With a
rooftop shootout/chase, an ax in the face and an unexpected happy
ending.
THE TONG MAN was a big hit when first released help by the
free publicity that came from lawsuits brought on by many Chinese American communities aiming to ban the film from playing.
Star Hayakawa was the US's first Asian film star. He and director
William Worthington also made THE DRAGON PAINTER the same year.
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