Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Radio and Television Work

by Philip Leibfried

Anna May Wong, born in Los Angeles in 1905 to a traditional family that did not support her ambition, is the only Asian-American actress to have achieved stardom during Hollywood’s Golden Age. In her youth she went to hundreds of motion pictures and studied the actors. She remained single to avoid a conventional Chinese marriage that could endanger her career. With her beauty and grace, she gradually became the darling of the intelligentsia, inspiring poems, songs, and crowds of admirers in the British Isles, Europe, and China. During World War II, she toured the United States, New Zealand, and Australia for the benefit of the Chinese war relief. Leaving a legacy of some 60 film appearances, numerous stage and television shows, and several radio spots, Wong remains an outstanding role model for Asian-American performers. This book covers Anna May Wong’s entire career through detailed filmographic entries, each containing critical commentary as well as standard cast and technical credits, synopses, and newspaper and magazine reviews. The separate sections detail Wong’s stage work and radio and television appearances. Information on Wong’s beginnings in Los Angeles and personal life is also provided.

Genres: Film

179 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna May Wong managed to carve out a film, tv and stage career when the majority of Hollywood stars were white. Even though she got top billing sometimes, she often had to settle for lesser parts while meatier parts - even for Asian American women roles, like the lead in Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth - went to white actresses made up to look Asian. She went to Europe and had some success there in films. She made a career of the parts that were available to her at the time making the most of them. Unfortunately, she died of a heart attack at the relatively young age of 26.

This is essentially a fine reference book - not a biography - even though there are some brief biographical passages mixed in. It includes details of her film, stage and television appearances - cast and crew, runtime for movies, detailed plot synopsis, and most interestingly of all snippets of reviews of the performance (with racist language removed). Reviews from publications like Variety and the New York Times show what reviewers of the time thought and context of how Anna May Wong was mentioned in the reviews. i doubt there is a more detailed reference of her works out there. Great attention to detail. This is a great book for anyone researching her works.

[Ke · Rating 4 out of 5]

In addition to a listing, this book also provides a succinct written account on Anna May Wong's career.