Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Radio and Television Work [Hardcover]

Philip Leibfried (Author), Chei Mi Lane (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786416335 | ISBN-13: 978-0786416332 | Publication Date: December 2003

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A first-rate job...photos throughout are terrific...does what it should, and does it nicely...the best detailed study on Anna May Wong's film career." --Classic Images

"Considered by many Hollywood's premier Chinese American actress...three books on Wong have been published, and of these Leibfried and Lane's is by far the most successful...terrific...detailed information...covers all of Wong's work...the preferred resource for those interested in Wong's career...essential." --Choice

"Interesting and well-researched." --Communication Booknotes Quarterly

"Considered by many Hollywood's premier Chinese American actress...three books on Wong have been published, and of these Leibfried and Lane's is by far the most successful...terrific...detailed information...covers all of Wong's work...the preferred resource for those interested in Wong's career...essential." --Choice

"Interesting and well-researched." --Communication Booknotes Quarterly --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 179 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786416335
• ISBN-13: 978-0786416332
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,266,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Author's reply, February 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Radio and Television Work (Hardcover)

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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Costly, but full of information, January 31, 2004

By 

Percy (Stockton, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Radio and Television Work (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wong Done Right, April 12, 2005

By 

David C. Rive Jr. (New Orleans, Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Radio and Television Work (Hardcover)

In ANNA MAY WONG: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HER FILM, STAGE, RADIO AND TELEVISION WORK authors Philip Leibfried and Chei Mi Lane deliver an authoritative work of solid research and scholarship.

It's a quaintly old-fashioned book. In layout and writing style it could've been published thirty or forty years ago. Aptly, the slightly anachronistic format and feel is a fine showcase for the authors' good old-fashioned scholarship and authority. Its focus is no doubt narrower than other the two other books devoted to Wong, but is completely successful within its stated scope and goals.

The book sketches Wong's life in admirable fashion, but lavishes most attention to her work in film and stage. The authors' research was truly exhaustive, and it would be hard to imagine the book ever being eclipsed. It will remain an important reference work for any scholar of Wong's work for many years to come.

Richly detailed and enlivened by juicy excerpts from vintage reviews, I can imagine this book inspiring hours of pleasure for any film buff or Wong fan.

Alas, the book notes that many of Wong's films are lost, but this admirable work keeps them alive in some small way through its honest affection and scrupulous scholarship.