Seen from the vantage point of a (slightly) more enlightened period, it's hard to fathom the callous arrogance of Hollywood's approach to Asian characters. Was there ever anything more camp than Gale Sondergard's dragon lady widow in The Letter? Or less convincing that Jennifer Jones's turn as a Eurasian in Love is a Many Splendored Thing?
I changed my race to "Occidental" on facebook a while back but had to explain it to everyone. Which I guess is a GOOD thing - but I was always baffled that a redhead, freckled gal like me (Myrna Loy) started her career playing "Occidentals" while Anna May Wong got bit parts.
Seen from the vantage point of a (slightly) more enlightened period, it's hard to fathom the callous arrogance of Hollywood's approach to Asian characters.
ReplyDeleteWas there ever anything more camp than Gale Sondergard's dragon lady widow in The Letter?
Or less convincing that Jennifer Jones's turn as a Eurasian in Love is a Many Splendored Thing?
All you need is a mandarin collar and a dream!
ReplyDeleteI changed my race to "Occidental" on facebook a while back but had to explain it to everyone. Which I guess is a GOOD thing - but I was always baffled that a redhead, freckled gal like me (Myrna Loy) started her career playing "Occidentals" while Anna May Wong got bit parts.
ReplyDelete