Passage IV

Anna May Wong: From Extra to Star

[1]

Wong Liu Tsong (Anna May Wong), had longed to be an actress since she was a child observing film productions in her Los Angeles neighborhood as a child. Wong entered the film industry as a teenager in the 1920s, at a time when few opportunities were available to Chinese American actors. Wong, however, was intent on challenging the industrys’ boundaries by offering memorable performances. That’s exactly what she did.

[2]

Wong progressed quickly from uncredited to credited actress. [A] Shortly after performing her first supporting role, Wong, at seventeen, starred in The Toll of the Sea. Around the globe, critics worldwide praised her portrayal of a young woman, whomever rejected in love. Reviewers raved about Wong’s ability to convey emotions such as joy and grief through graceful gestures and pantomime—essential components of acting in the era of silent film.

[3]

Such attention to detail in their performances landed Wong numerous supporting roles in the 1920s. Yet, despite having upstaged lead actors and actresses for nearly a decade, Wong was not offered another starring role. (53) Aware that Hollywood’s racist casting practice were limiting, Wong left for Europe in 1928.

[4]

[B] Determined to maintain her popularity as the era of talking pictures evolved, Wong became fluent in German and French. [C] This helped her land a starring role in one of her first “talkies,” this film was shot three different times—once in German, once in French, and once in English. (57) Like Wong performed there, her performances in plays and operettas on the continent and in Great Britain were lauded by critics.

[5]

The American film and theater industry took note of Wong’s success. During Wong’s return to the United States in 1930, a producer intercepted her at a stopover in London and hurriedly signed her to act in the hit Broadway play On the Spot. A year later, critics praised her performance in a popular Hollywood thriller. [D] Wong, able to consistently garner critical acclaim, sustained her career as a premier American film star.