A Sri Lankan friend who was born in London came to visit, and told me she's done with acting, despite some success on London's stage, because "There aren't a lot of (paid) acting jobs for Asian women. Besides there are four Asian actresses in England and they get all the work." This prompted me researching and intending to write about all the white actors in Hollywood's history in 'yellowface.' But it looks like much has been written and blogged about that subject already. So instead I'm celebrating my fellow Asian thespians from the silent film era to the early 90's.
The Curse of Quon Gwon (1916). Shown at last year's Asian American Film Festival:
In 2004, while researching a project which would become HOLLYWOOD CHINESE (making its world premiere this year as the Festival’s Centerpiece Presentation), filmmaker Arthur Dong discovered two film reels (approximately thirty-five minutes) of a little-known silent film called THE CURSE OF QUON GWON.
This discovery would make history, as THE CURSE OF QUON GWON is now acknowledged as the earliest Chinese American film ever made. Written and directed by Oakland filmmaker Marion Wong in 1916, CURSE featured Wong and many of her family members in a love story as individuals placed under the curse of a Chinese god because of their westernization. After its completion, the film did not find distribution and disappeared, never actually to be seen by audiences.
The indie documentary Hollywood Chinese just showed in New York at a small theater only 3 days ago. Unfortunately, as I only discovered its existence today, I missed it. For a list of upcoming screenings across the country and elsewhere, click on the link above.
Anna May Wong in Shanghai Express (1932).
Nancy Kwan in Roger and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song (1961) - the first Hollywood movie with an all Asian cast.
The trailer for Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) starring Jason Scott Lee.
