In today’s installment of Art Deco Hollywood, we bring you the incredible style and grace of 1920s icon Anna May Wong.
A beauty and talent by any standard, she was also the first Chinese American movie star, making her way in Hollywood (and internationally) in a world where she faced constant typecasting and discrimination, where she was prevented from becoming a true leading lady by the anti-miscegenation laws that prevented her from sharing an on-screen kiss with any non-Asian actor.
Tired of being both typecast and being passed over for lead Asian character roles in favor of non-Asian actresses, Wong left Hollywood in 1928 for Europe. Interviewed by Doris Mackie for Film Weekly in 1933, Wong complained about her Hollywood roles: “I was so tired of the parts I had to play.” She commented: “There seems little for me in Hollywood, because, rather than real Chinese, producers prefer Hungarians, Mexicans, American Indians for Chinese roles.
In Europe, Wong became a sensation, starring in notable films such as Schmutziges Geld (aka Song and Show Life, 1928) and Großstadtschmetterling (Pavement Butterfly). Of the German critics’ response to Song, The New York Times reported that Wong was “acclaimed not only as an actress of transcendent talent but as a great beauty”.
One more Anna fact (one that delighted me especially): in the mid 1930s her friend/admirer/lover, writer Eric Maschwitz, penned the words to the classic standard “These Foolish Things” after having to leave her in Hollywood and return to England. It’s one of my favorite songs, and a lovely tribute to an incredible woman.
You can, of course, see more details about her work at IMDB, or check out one of the books that has been written about her life and career.
Hello all! Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far. I’m very excited about tonight’s return of one of the most stylish shows on television, Boardwalk Empire. This is a show that started out looking pretty, but being not-so-great (in my most humble of opinions), but by the end of last season it was …
The pure embodiment of 1930s Hollywood style, Claudette Colbert is perhaps now remembered best for her Academy Award-winning role in 1934’s It Happened One Night. She was a prolific and talented actress in both screwball comedies like that Capra classic, and dramas such as Cecil B. DeMille’s Cleopatra. Born Lily Emilie Chauchoin in France, her family …
Good evening deco lovers! Just a quick note: If The Artist has been released in your hometown, I hope you’ve seen it or are going to see it (it got limited release in the US last week). The incredible costumes and gorgeous art deco / 1920s set design would almost be enough for any fan …
One of the best parts of planning a wedding (any wedding) is choosing the music. But if you’re going for a truly vintage-inspired event, the world is your oyster, with so many incredible songs to choose from. Today we’re going to focus on one of the best songwriters of any era, with a perfect collection …
Anna May Wong | Art Deco Hollywood
A beauty and talent by any standard, she was also the first Chinese American movie star, making her way in Hollywood (and internationally) in a world where she faced constant typecasting and discrimination, where she was prevented from becoming a true leading lady by the anti-miscegenation laws that prevented her from sharing an on-screen kiss with any non-Asian actor.
Tired of being both typecast and being passed over for lead Asian character roles in favor of non-Asian actresses, Wong left Hollywood in 1928 for Europe. Interviewed by Doris Mackie for Film Weekly in 1933, Wong complained about her Hollywood roles: “I was so tired of the parts I had to play.” She commented: “There seems little for me in Hollywood, because, rather than real Chinese, producers prefer Hungarians, Mexicans, American Indians for Chinese roles.
In Europe, Wong became a sensation, starring in notable films such as Schmutziges Geld (aka Song and Show Life, 1928) and Großstadtschmetterling (Pavement Butterfly). Of the German critics’ response to Song, The New York Times reported that Wong was “acclaimed not only as an actress of transcendent talent but as a great beauty”.
One more Anna fact (one that delighted me especially): in the mid 1930s her friend/admirer/lover, writer Eric Maschwitz, penned the words to the classic standard “These Foolish Things” after having to leave her in Hollywood and return to England. It’s one of my favorite songs, and a lovely tribute to an incredible woman.
You can, of course, see more details about her work at IMDB, or check out one of the books that has been written about her life and career.
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