Who is Anna May Wong?
Born in 1905, Anna May Wong was a Chinese-American film actress popular during the 1930s and 40s. Though prejudice against Asians during that time prevented her from taking on any leading lady roles for most of her life, Wong carved out a successful career as a supporting actress in the United States before moving to the more open-minded Europe. As a result of her success there, Paramount Pictures offered her a Hollywood movie deal in the 1930s, though racism continued to hold Wong back even then. Her best-known film is Shanghai Express, which was nominated for Best Picture, and won an Oscar in 1932 for its cinematography. Wong died in 1961 of a heart attack. A native of Los Angeles’ Chinatown and the daughter of launderers, Anna May Wong’s career started promisingly when, as a teenager, she was selected to star in 1922’s The Toll of the Sea, the first Technicolor film. The film used this new color technology to play up her unique Asian beauty. Her next notable role was in The Thief of
Anna May Wong was the first notable Chinese American (and Asian American) Hollywood actress. She was a very popular actress in her day. Her career spans from the silent film era to the early 1960s. Like most actors from the silent film era and classical period of Hollywood: they were forgotten and pushed aside. However, with the recent rediscovery of Anna May Wong, more people are starting to recognize her talents and contributions to the film industry and society. More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_May_Wong ________________________________ » You’re invited! Please join us at: http://annamay_daily.livejournal.com It is the most active Anna May Wong community on LiveJournal.
