Watch Piccadilly

Piccadilly is a 1929 British drama film, directed by Ewald André Dupont and produced by Gainsborough Pictures. The film stars Gilda Gray as Mabel Green, a dancer at the Piccadilly Theatre, and Anna May Wong as Shosho, a dishwasher turned dancer. Jameson Thomas plays Valentine Wilmot, the owner of the club. The film opens with the introduction of Wilmot, who is a successful nightclub owner in London. However, he is going through a difficult time due to his recent feud with Green, who has quit her job at the club after her dance partner Jack (Cyril Ritchard) was let go. Wilmot is struggling to find a suitable replacement for Jack, and his club is losing business due to the absence of Green's performances.

In a chance encounter, Shosho helps Wilmot by dancing on stage and impressing the audience. He is so impressed that he hires her as a dancer at his club. Shosho quickly rises to become the star performer of the club, earning the admiration of the audience and the jealousy of Green. With her talent and charisma, she outshines everyone including Green, who is struggling to come to terms with her replacement.

As the story progresses, tensions rise between Green and Shosho, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that has far-reaching consequences. Wilmot too is forced to make tough decisions as he faces the dilemma of choosing between the two performers.

One of the most striking features of the film is its portrayal of London's Chinatown in the 1920s. Wong's character, Shosho, is a depiction of a Chinese immigrant who is trying to make a name for herself in a foreign land. The film is often hailed for being ahead of its time in its portrayal of a strong, self-confident woman of color, and in its subtle commentary on racism and class issues during the early 20th century.

The soundtrack of the film is also noteworthy for showcasing some of the popular dance music of the time. Gray's performance of the Charleston dance routine is particularly memorable and has become iconic in the years since the film's release.

Overall, Piccadilly is a brilliant and powerful film that is often hailed as one of the greatest silent-era movies to come out of Britain. It is a story of ambition, love, jealousy, and revenge, and its exploration of issues such as race, class, and identity is as relevant today as it was when the film was first released over 90 years ago.

Piccadilly is a 1929 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 89.