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Discovering Anna May Wong - Sexy BeijingPosted by Jeremy Goldkorn on Monday, February 5, 2007 at 5:37 PM
 Born to a Chinese laundryman's family in 1905 in Los Angeles, she went on to become a Hollywood icon in a career that started in 1919 and went on till the 1960s. Her career and personal life suffered because of California's anti-miscegenation laws. It wasn't much easier for her in China where she had a mixed reception: although she had plenty of fans, there were also many people who criticized her for bringing shame upon Chinese people in a way reminiscent of the treatment Zhang Ziyi sometimes gets at home, despite her popularity abroad. Graham Russel Gao Hodges is the author of a recent book about her called Anna May Wong: From Laundryman's Daughter to Hollywood Legend. This episode of Sexy Beijing is an interview by Su Fei with Professor Hodges. The video below is also available on Danwei TV and on Tudou (中文字幕版) which may load faster in China. You can buy Hodges' book on Amazon: Anna May Wong: From Laundryman's Daughter to Hollywood Legend. The book is also available at The Bookworm if you're in Beijing. A number of her films are available on DVD; you can buy them and a number of other books about her at this Amazon page. There is also more information, including a filmography, about Wong on IMDB. |
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Comments on Discovering Anna May Wong - Sexy Beijing
Simply delightful... I'll certainly be trying to find out more about that delightful woman.
Thank you Sufei.
BTW, nice shorts! ;)
I like ALL Sexy Beijing episodes. I have to say I enjoyed this one the most. Thanks for a job well-done!
I have never heard of Anna May Wong. You really got my interest going. I'll be sure to get my hands on Hodge's book. Thanks again!
Great work, and great choice of topic.
great stuff. i'll get my library to buy that book.
What a good interview! Keep it up Su Fei!
I hope the book gets into Shanghai- would love to read it.
BTW, please tell me who sang the song at the end and how can i get a record of it.
The book is available in Shanghai - at Chaterhouse Books in the basement of Times Square of Huai Hai Road
Jin: The song is 'These Foolish Things', sung by Etta James.
You can find the song on the CD These Foolish Things: The Classic Balladry Of Etta James (on Chess record label, first released 1995).
It's available on Amazon here.
bravo to the team, excellent work, interview and montage !
Great job Su Fei!!!
That is a very important subject here in the states and I wish and hope more Chinese Americans had some information about great Chinese Americans before them. Unfortunately it looks as though many are content to live as "the man" wants and eat up the American western media culture instead of self examination of identity.
The documentary I worked on Slanted Screen is about the same subject but for Asian American actors. We just made the DVD. I have to get a copy to you.
Great work. Hope to see you someday soon!
Alex
SBG
I like ALL Sexy Beijing episodes. I have to say I enjoyed this one the most. Thanks for a job well-done!
I have never heard of Anna May Wong. You really got my interest going. I'll be sure to get my hands on Hodge's book. Thanks again!
Anna May Wong died way before her time, and surely rates among the world's most stunning beauties.