Watch Chinatown After Dark

Chinatown After Dark is a 1931 crime drama film directed by Stuart Paton and starring Carmel Myers, Rex Lease, Barbara Kent, and others. The movie is set in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown and revolves around a series of mysterious deaths that occur in the area. The film is also notable for its depiction of Chinese American culture during the early 20th century.

The film begins with a shot of San Francisco's Chinatown neighborhood, bustling with activity and color. The viewer is introduced to Ruby Low, a beautiful nightclub singer who works at a club owned by the powerful and corrupt Shanghai Lil. Lil is involved in many criminal activities, including prostitution and extortion, and is feared by many in the city, including the police.

Despite her dangerous occupation, Ruby is in love with young American businessman Jimmy Lee, who wants to marry her and take her away from Chinatown. However, Ruby is hesitant to leave her life of danger and excitement behind, and Jimmy begins to suspect that she is involved in Lil's criminal activities.

Meanwhile, the police are investigating a series of murders that have taken place in Chinatown, and they suspect that Lil is behind them. As the investigation unfolds, Jimmy becomes embroiled in the case, and Ruby is forced to choose between her loyalty to Lil and her love for Jimmy.

The film is a classic example of the pre-Code era of Hollywood filmmaking, when filmmakers were able to tackle gritty, controversial subject matter that would later be censored under the strict moral guidelines of the Hays Code. The film features several scenes of violence and sexuality, including a memorable sequence in which Ruby performs a seductive dance in front of a group of gangsters.

The film also offers an interesting glimpse into the cultural attitudes of the era towards Chinese Americans. While the film plays into many stereotypes of Chinese people as exotic and dangerous, it also offers sympathetic portrayals of several Chinese characters, including a young man who helps the police solve the murders and a wise old merchant who offers sage advice to the film's heroes.

Overall, Chinatown After Dark is a thrilling crime drama that offers a fascinating window into the world of San Francisco's Chinatown during the early 20th century. It is also notable for its strong performances by Carmel Myers and Rex Lease, as well as its lush black-and-white cinematography, which captures the atmospheric streets and alleys of Chinatown in stunning detail.

Chinatown After Dark is a 1931 drama with a runtime of 59 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.