Aside from this film giving astrology ludicrous powers to predict literally every aspect of every character - all sorts of details rattled off by the astrologer (Anna May Wong) immediately after she asks when they're born - the storytelling here is awful. It starts with a 5 minute exposition of the "science" of astrology and description of all signs from Manly P. Hall (credited "Manley"), and then for the next hour, it's almost all wooden dialogue as a murder mystery is unraveled. Hall was a preacher or pseudo-scientist of sorts who made a long career out of hokey mysticism, and he also wrote the original story for this film, which felt like propaganda without a shred of artistry.
The only reason to see this is for Anna May Wong, who at 33 and having returned from her trip to China got a few parts, but saw her film career waning. She brings respect to a thankless role, performing it with dignity and speaking in both English and Cantonese. There are some issues here - the Western astrology that Wong's character is expert in is touted as being long-practiced in China but has nothing to do with Chinese astrology, and there is a character in yellowface - but honestly these pale in comparison to the film being both ridiculous and a snooze. There is a little tension late and a nice little action moment from Wong, but by that point I had long since checked out. I wish I had counted how many times the title question was asked; definitely don't play the drinking game over that one.
The only reason to see this is for Anna May Wong, who at 33 and having returned from her trip to China got a few parts, but saw her film career waning. She brings respect to a thankless role, performing it with dignity and speaking in both English and Cantonese. There are some issues here - the Western astrology that Wong's character is expert in is touted as being long-practiced in China but has nothing to do with Chinese astrology, and there is a character in yellowface - but honestly these pale in comparison to the film being both ridiculous and a snooze. There is a little tension late and a nice little action moment from Wong, but by that point I had long since checked out. I wish I had counted how many times the title question was asked; definitely don't play the drinking game over that one.