This vintage real photo postcard features the first Chinese American movie star, Anna May Wong (1905-1961). She had diverse performing experiences including silent film, sound film, stage, television and radio. Among her honors is that she will be depicted on the reverse of quarters as part of the “American Woman Quarter Series”. She was born in Los Angeles, California. She had to transfer from her public school to a Chinese school due to racial taunting. She began acting in silent films as a teenager. In 1922 she was in one of the first color films and appeared with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Thief of Bagdad” (1924). By 1924, Wong was an international star and a fashion icon. Wong was one of the early flappers. In 1928, Wong grew tired of playing stereotypical roles in Hollywood. She had enough of being the “Dragon Lady” or the “Butterfly Woman”. She began playing starring roles in Europe in some important plays and films. In the early to mid 1930’s, Wong commuted between Europe and the United States to perform in both theater and film. In 1935, Wong was the victim of significant anti-Asian discrimination when she was refused the starring role in Pearl Buck’s “The Good Earth”. MGM used a white actress in yellow face to play the starring role of the Asian character. One of the reasons she was excluded from the part was because she would have had to kiss a Caucasion actor is she took the role. Interracial kisses were prohibited in Hollywood. The next year Wong went to China to film a documentary about Chinese Culture and to visit the village that her family ancestors lived in. During the late 1930’s, Wong played in a number of B movies for Paramount Pictures. These films presented Chinese and Chinese American characters in a positive manner. During World War II she worked hard to aid the Chinese in their conflict with Japan. In the 1950’s she became involved with appearing on television. Wong never married. There were rumors of her being a lesbian and having affairs with director Leni Riefenstahl and actress Marlene Dietrich. In 1936, she was asked by reporters if she had marriage plans. She responded “No. I am wedded to my art”. The IMDb reports that Wang has 61 credits in her filmography (1920-1961). In 1961, she died of a heart attack. This vintage portrait postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No9596/1). The logo for Paramount Pictures can be seen in the lower right hand corner of the image. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 