Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2099092 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 179 pages

About the Author
Philip Leibfried is also the author of Rudyard Kipling and Sir Henry Rider Haggard on Screen (2000). He has written for Films in Review, Filmfax and Hollywood Review. He lives in New York City. Researcher Chei Mi Lane lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Customer Reviews

Author's reply
There used to be a place for authors to respond to reviews by readers, and I am not sure what happened to that link. I responded to your queries, and did not go overboard with praise for my book. I can tell you that unlike the other authors we checked our facts out at our cost and time. You are being unfair in your comparisons, and it sounds as if you have a personal problem with the book.
Again, our facts were checked out. Others were not. Had not Amazon taken that link, I would be able to respond as an author.
Chei Mi Lane

Costly, but full of information
Though this book is costly, I agree that a book on her career is far different than a bio. I was disappointed with the two biographies for much of the same reasons as one of the reviewers of the other two books felt disappointment.
I did not know of Anna May Wong's radio career until this book, and I have happily found one of her radio shows based on a Pearl Buck book on account of it.
Had I gone on a search for a few of her films based on the bios, only to find out that it was not the Anna May Wong of note, I would have been very upset that I spent the money on the biographies. One of the bios on her is as costly as this book, with many errors inside. Being a student of film, this book is invaluable. It had at least as complete of a cast list, reviews, and synopses as were available. It had a complete listing of her episodes on her TV show from DuMont. It had almost seventy photos too, though I wish there were more. At least these two authors did their homework, not relying on readily available info, which is often wrong.
If you want a book on her career, this one is it. If you want a bio, you take what you get, as both available seem very flawed.
Do not expect to find scandal, sexual innuendoes, and theories based on the authors' assumptions in this book. Save that for the people who feel the need to pontificate.
Do expect as complete of a career listing that cannot be found anywhere else.
Do expect it to cost you some bucks.

Reply to "Shang"
To the reader who calls himself Shang: I am the main author of this work and am sorry that you feel that you have misspent your money. No one, certainly not I, forced you to buy the book, though your purchase is certainly appreciated. As for the timing of its publication, you must realize that Mr. Lane and I spent a number of years collecting the information found therein; we did not know of the two biographies because they were conceived far more recently. We welcomed their appearance, however, figuring that our book would be bought in conjunction with one of those in order for readers to have a complete picture of the woman who was Anna May Wong. Our book was a labor of love; as admirers of Miss Wong and her achievements, we did our utmost to present readers with every aspect of her lengthy career, which had previously been covered in but a few articles, mostly of mine. Further, the book is intended as a reference work, no shame there; it is precisely what it purports to be. If you can do better, then do so and keep your petty complaints to yourself.
You said nothing of the numerous rare photos or the many contemporary reviews concerning her lost films. The prologue says better than any referral to "Daoist" theories what difficulties Miss Wong faced in attaining her goals. Did these add nothing to the value of the book in your opinion?
Your are bold with your statements, sir, but too timid to even identify yourself, thereby attaching no credence to your comments. Certainly our grammar is far superior to yours - "costed;" "mistakened;" "does not worth much"????? Where did you get those terms - from a World War II PRC movie? It's pidgin English at its worst, pal.