1931 Chinatown After Dark

"Chinatown After Dark" is a 1931 American pre-Code crime drama film. It's an independent production, notable for its depiction of the seedy underworld of Chinatown, a popular setting for mystery and crime films of the era.

Here's a description of the movie:

Title: Chinatown After Dark

Release Year: 1931

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Pre-Code

Director: Stuart Paton

Screenplay by: F. McGrew Willis, George W. Pyper (based on a story by William MacLeod Raine)

Production Company: Continental Pictures

Plot:
The film delves into the dark and mysterious underbelly of Chinatown, focusing on a complex web of crime, revenge, and secrets. The central plot revolves around the murder of a prominent figure, which sets off a chain of events revealing the illicit activities hidden within the seemingly exotic district.

A detective, often working against the clock and navigating the intricate social codes of Chinatown, is tasked with solving the murder. As he investigates, he uncovers a murky world involving opium dens, secret societies, illegal gambling, and treacherous characters. The film typically plays on the contemporary fascination with and often stereotypical portrayal of Chinatown as a place of hidden dangers and forbidden pleasures.

Characters might include a femme fatale, a menacing gangster, a wise old community leader, and various unsavory figures, all intertwined in the mystery. The "after dark" aspect emphasizes the illicit and dangerous activities that come alive when the sun sets, creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue. The pre-Code era allowed for more suggestive themes and less censorship, which would have contributed to the film's gritty depiction of crime.

Themes often explored in such films include:

The clash of cultures (Western perception vs. Chinese community).

The allure and danger of the underworld.

Mystery and detective work.

Social issues (like drug use, though often sensationalized).

Cast (Key actors often associated with independent films of the era):

Rex Lease as Jim Bonner

Barbara Kent as Sylvia La Rue

Forrest Stanley as Valda

George Kuwa as Ling Chu

Frank Mayo as Captain Davis

L. J. O'Connor as Sergeant

Significance:
"Chinatown After Dark" is representative of a subgenre of films popular in the early 1930s that exploited exotic settings (often Hollywood's interpretation of them) to tell crime stories. As an independent pre-Code film, it might have pushed boundaries more than major studio productions of the time, though it would likely rely on prevalent stereotypes of the period. It provides a glimpse into the popular entertainment and social attitudes of early 1930s America.