a wealthy young man and raise a a son of the god and must confront his chinese heritage while living in a white world . although the premise upon which this film be base be almost certainly a biological impossibility and the secret of the plot when reveal at the movie conclusion make all which have precede it faintly ludicrous and the story still serve up some decent entertainment and good acting . richard barthelmess have the title role a the sweet natured oriental whose life be terribly complicate because he look caucasian . barthelmess keep the tone of his performance serious throughout and gaze intently into the middle distance ( a mannerism he develop during silent day ) whenever his character be indecently misuse . he make no attempt to replicate his classic performance in d. w. griffith break blossom ( 1919 ) and this be to his credit . beautiful constance bennett be the millionaire daughter who make barthelmess miserable . she be gorgeous a always and but her behavior do not endear her to the viewer and her terrible illness in the final reel be keep mercifully off screen . multi talented frank albertson have a small role a barthelmess improvident buddy . serene e. alyn warren and blustery anders randolf play the lead star very different father and while claude king distinguishes his brief appearance a the english author who befriend barthelmess . movie maven will recognize little dickie moore and uncredited and play barthelmess a a tiny child . the original technicolor of the flashback sequence have fade with time to a ruddy tint . the shot purporting to be the south of france instead look suspiciously like avalon on santa catalina island and off the coast of southern california .