Befitting its title, the old-fashioned meller Law of the Tongs is set in wicked old Chinatown. This time, the criminal element rubs shoulders with the Salvation Army, as represented by demure heroine Joan (Phyllis Barrington). Jason Robards Sr. hokes it up as Charlie Wong, a tong leader with a philosophical bent who hangs out in a cheap dime-a-dance hall. It is shown that while the Chinese tough guys are a frightening bunch, they're far more ethical than a band of American gangsters who try to muscle into the territory. Many of the scenes in Law of the Tongs were filmed on location in San Francisco's Chinatown district, adding a dash of authenticity to the artificial plot trappings. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi