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The frog’s not blue, but will be if you don’t click her.
Genre: Women’s History
Word Count: 100
FROSTED YELLOW WILLOW
“Wong Liu Tsong often played hooky from school to see movies at the Nickelodeon.” Lily Wu read her report aloud. “When she grew up, she changed her name to Anna May Wong and overcame many obstacles to become a famous film star.”
Tim Wu rolled his eyes. “If it’s a great Chinese actor you want, write about Jackie Chan.”
“It’s Women’s History Month. Now—one of Anna’s biggest disappointments came in 1935 when Hollywood passed her over for the role a Chinese woman in The Good Earth.”
“So?”
“The role went to a Caucasian actress. What’s wrong with this picture?”
*Frosted Yellow Willow is the literal translation of Wong Tsiu Tsong.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
And Hollywood is usually so careful about its casting of ethnic minorities!
I remember, m’lady, Mel Gibson as the least authentic Scot in history, although Christophe Lambert came close.
But at least they had a similar skin colouring…
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Dear CE,
Hollywood might be careful about ethnic minorities now but they certainly weren’t then. As for Mel Gibson as a Scot, mostly what I remember about that movie was it being about 2 hours too long. Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! Such good examples, C. Mel Gibson’s accent in Braveheart is awful, Christophe Lambert’s is execrable as Highlander, which is the role I’m guessing you’re referring to. Though, if you remember, Sean Connery does a fine turn in that film – as Spaniard with a very heavy Scots accent! 🙂
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At least now, it’s China’s century
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Dear Neil,
It makes me happy that Hollywood is better about casting. And isn’t China in the news these days?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story Rochelle. It erks me when they do this in films. I think characters should be played by actors with the same ethnicity or new stories should be created where race and culture don’t matter.
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Dear Tanille,
One of my earliest remembrances of the change in film came with “Little Big Man” where Native Americans were actually portrayed by Native Americans. It made me happy. I’m happy to see the trend in so many ethnicities on the screen. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An avid watcher of anything black and white, I know her work well. She may have been looked over for important roles, and type cast in others, but I am glad she didn’t let that stop her. A rare gem.
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Dear Violet,
It’s for certain that Ms. Wong paved the way for others. She is a hero and should be celebrated. Thank you for reading and leaving a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story, Rochelle. Although I enjoyed the old Charlie Chan movies, it was a shame they used a Swedish actor, Warner Oland, to play the part when there were no doubt good Chinese actors who could have done it. They did choose Asian actors to play his children and I seem to remember his wife in one.
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Dear Suzanne,
There was a rule in Hollywood that an Asian couldn’t kiss a Caucasian on screen. Anna May was passed over many times for that reason. I never got into the Charlie Chan movies because I wasn’t buying Warner Oland as Chinese. Yeah, it bothered me even when I was a child. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They used two Swedish actors to play Charlie Chan. When Warner Oland suddenly died, they recast the part with Sydney Toler. 😯
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Dear Archon,
No logic in replacing one Swedish actor with another to portray a Chinese man. SMH.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😳
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Our national broadcaster, BBC is now re-writing the classics to atone for the past. How the pendulum swings. 😉 Nicely done, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
The pendulum do swing. 😉 Personally, I’m weary of remakes, even for a worthy cause. Does originality exist anymore? At any rate, thank you for your comments and compliment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The ridiculousness of that comes to mind when I remember the movie Winnetou that was shot in my country in 1963, when locals were cast as Native Americans. How many great artist were robbed for same stupid reasons. You wrote very important story that needs to be told over and over again.
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Dear Loré,
How many Italians portrayed Native Americans in this country? Anyone but a Native American. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I confess I never really noticed caucasians playing Asians back then (maybe the Scotch tape on the eyes worked too well) but even I thought it silly to have Sal Mineo playing a Native American in “Tonka”, one of my favorite movies as a kid.
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She deserved the role. Hope there’s never such a casting issue anytime.
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Dear Anita,
Sadly there have been those casting issues for decades.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It still happens – that Asian roles are given to Caucasians. It definitely ruins the film.
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Dear Colline,
I don’t think it happens as often. It shouldn’t happen at all. It certainly ruins a film for me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was a true pioneer. It’s yet another racist Hollywood tragedy. The worst crime against Asian-Americans was Mickey Rooney as the Japanese neighbor in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but Anna Mae’s career is a close second.
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Dear Josh,
She was a pioneer indeed. I never saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’ll never see East of Eden since someone told me that Lee, the Chinese houseboy who was integral to the whole story, was basically left out of the film. Brando almost pulled it off in Tea-house of the August Moon. But Jack Soo would’ve been a better choice IMHO. Thank you for your comments. We are definitely on the same page as I knew we would be.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love Jack Soo. His cameo in MASH was the highlight of the first season.
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Agreed. And he was great on Barney Miller.
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You do a great job of calling out racism and prejudice, Rochelle. Well done!
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Dear Penny,
Thank you for such high praise. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fortunately attitudes have moved on. Another uncovered gem Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
Let’s hope they have. Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Wonderfully done! Love how you went Chinese for this one. Racism was not always just against blacks. Think of Geishas played by Chinese instead of Japanese, too… seriously? Lovely that you bring these stories forth in your inimitable way.
Shalom and lotsa love of all colours and ethnicities,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Guess how many Koreans played Koreans on 11 years of MASH? Two. Soon Tek Oh and Phillip Ahn. Go figure and then the Asian actors rarely got a lot of credit. Oh we could springboard from here, couldn’t we? Thank you for the read and the comments. 😀
Shalom and lotsa varieties of hugs,
Rochelle
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That we could!!
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I suspect the Hollywood moguls didn’t think a Chinese woman would resonate with American audiences. Silly, in retrospect, but there it was.
Lovely story, as always.
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Dear Linda,
Hollywood was full of racism and misogyny, wasn’t it? My grandfather stopped my aunt from pursuing a career in acting because he knew from another relative about the “casting couch.” The movies might have been family friendly, but the industry wasn’t.
Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess the problem is endemic everywhere including our very own Bollywood. Very well written, as usual, Rochelle.
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Thank you so much, Neel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, another gem! The realities of how totally crass Hollywood was (and sometimes can still stumble like a blind bull in a china shop – NO PUN!) about culture and cultural appropriation and using caricatured characters played by the wrong people … Oy.
I read a fabulous book not too long ago, which reminds me of this real-life actresses story. I’ll try to remember the name … (which is OF COURSE hiding from me at the moment).
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Leave us not forget the casting couch where the Harvey Weinsteins flourished. (I grind my grogger to blot out his name.) Knowing these things makes it difficult to watch certain old flicks.
At any rate, a hearty todah rabbah! (I know enough Hebrew to be dangerous 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah, I’ve very little patience for icky men with sticky hands and leery eyes. Men who do that are not “confused” by women setting boundaries or what is or is not okay to do – they CHOOSE to do wrong because they think they should be allowed to and that women should keep their mouths shut. That, and the old films reinforcement of such views (and cultural ickies) indeed make some old films squirm worthy.
As for the “dangerous” Hebrew … play please let me know more about what you meant …
אני סקרנית!!! 🙂
Na’ama
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LOL…I just meant I’m limited in what I know in Hebrew. I did understand. But it’s very difficult for me without vowel points. I’m always afraid I’m going to say something really stupid to a native speaker. I am good with accents which has gotten me in trouble because I sound like I know more than I actually do. 😉
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🙂 I hear you … I just said I was curious … 🙂
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There are color blinds and color lines and then there are Hollywood gross profit projections. It may never end, but one sees it getting better and continues to hope.
Randy
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Dear Randy,
True story, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And Hollywood is still doing it – white actresses playing black women and Native Americans.
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Really? What have you seen lately? Not a challenge! Just curious. I can’t think of any, but I haven’t seen too many movies in the last few years.
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Dear Liz,
Hollywood is…Hollywood. There is less of it, thankfully.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just saw “Shanghai Express” for the first time a week ago. Loved it! Wong deserved a lot more screen time. Dietrich had presence, but Wong’s was deeper.
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Ms. Wong was expert at her craft. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice piece, Rochelle, and clever with the name meaning. And thanks for the link, I enjoyed reading about her and seeing the gravesite.
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Dear Ted,
I’m glad you caught the title. A certain erstwhile mutual friend used to be fond of reminding me that a good title adds 100 words to the flash. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think I know who that might be. 🙂
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😉 Missing him terribly, save an occasional email. He is alive, well and happy.
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And still playing disc golf I bet.
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Actually, he hasn’t had much time for it lately. Yes, I’m as shocked as you are.
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Rochelle, good story that highlights one (of many) big flaw(s) in casting. My kids refused to see either “Ghost in the Machine” or “Cloud Atlas” because Caucasians play Asian roles in them.
Sincerely,
Lisa
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p.s. adorable froggie!
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Dear Lisa,
We saw Cloud Atlas. Frankly, the racial thing didn’t bother me as much as the fact that i never figured out what the hell was going on. Thank you re my story and the frog. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, that’s funny. I had to watch it a few times and read some reviews before making sense of it. I loved the movie, even if some parts were really frightening.
You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I remember even as a youngster, yes that was long ago, it bothered me then that caucasians played the role of Indians. And, most of them badly. Then, when talkies came out….., never mind. Lol. Good job of highlighting another inequality in gender/race.
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Dear Jan,
We’re on the same page with this one.
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I’m torn on actors playing different ethnicities. On one hand, if it’s done wrong (Micky Rooney in “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”), it can be offensive, and casting a Caucasian over a qualified Chinese woman for the role of a Chinese woman is just wrong. If it comes from an ethnically insensitive place or discrimination, I’m against it. On the other hand, acting, by definition, is pretending to be something one is not. Restricting art is tantamount to censorship, which is evil. Right above me, Lisa referenced “Cloud Atlas.” Actors of various ethnicities played multiple characters. Many of them portrayed characters of different ethnicities, genders, and ages. It was beautifully done. It was amazing to see how the actors were transformed. It’s a great movie and book, one of my favorites.
Good story. Educational, as always.
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Dear Nobbin,
I never had a clue what was going on in “Cloud Atlas.” I think there’s a fine line in casting. I don’t have a problem with Al Pacino playing an elderly Jewish man. And Rod Steiger played everything from The Pawnbroker to a southern cop in “The Heat of the Night.” But I would have had a problem with Paul Newman being cast as the Virgil Tibbs in the same film. And no matter how much you make them up, Caucasians don’t pass for Asian. Mickey Rooney was all kinds of wrong.
Thank you re my story and thank you for sharing your perspective.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another fabulous history lesson! These could all be in a book – 1 minute history lessons.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
Now there’s a thought. 😉 Something to self-publish perhaps. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And, once again, you’ve opened my eyes to a wonderful character in history. I so love how you weave them into your stories. I’ve never heard of Anna May Wong. Thank you for introducing her. Must go find out more.
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Dear Lish,
You know me and historical figures. And so often women have been passed over in the history books. Enjoy your quest for more. I certainly did. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for sharing her story. Women’s history Month is big thing to me.
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Dear Dawn,
Happy to strike a positive chord. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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well, no surprise there. after all, hollywood is in the business of make-believe.
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Dear Plaridel,
There’s make believe and then there’s disbelief. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Where do you keep finding these interesting snippets of history? Once again, I’m intrigued!.
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Dear Keith,
One thread leads to another. I might be researching one thing when another snippet catches my eye. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s still going on today, only not so much in putting in caucasion actors/actresses. I’ve reead several books lately before watching the movies/tv shows based on them to find the main character a different race than in the book. In some cases it makes no difference, but in others, whole sections or storylines would have to be left out if the other books are picked up. Oh well, that’s Hollywood. Whatever sells, I guess right and wrong and author’s visions don’t really come into it.
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Dear Russell,
There’s an old saying that goes, “Never judge a book by its movie.” In many cases this holds true. Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀 It’s why I write.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
How times have changed? Or have they really? The whole subject of race has always been like walking on red-hot coals. There’s prejudice by people of all races towards other races.
It reminds me of a children’s story called Tusk Tusk by David McKee that I used to read to my son about a time when white elephants and black elephants were at war but then made peace, so all elephants interbred and became grey. After which the large eared grey elephants started fighting the small-eared grey elephants. I thought it a very observant book.
I think that Anna May Wong was very beautiful and talented, and I agree that it was unjust for her to have been passed over in favour of others, but then these days many women attest to having been passed over because they said “no” to performing sexual favours. Hollywood will always be a tough place to be, whatever the colour of your skin.
Thanks for writing another one of your excellent historical pieces that illustrate so much in so few words…. and, of course, promote much discussion.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I have to admit I’m sometimes nonplussed when the comments are more about my story than my stellar (tongue firmly in cheek) writing. Then i remind myself that’s what a writer does. Discussion means nothing in the writing distracted from the subject. 😀 Therefore discussion is a compliment. But we artist/author types tend to let our egos be our guides, don’t we?
Humans are strange creatures, building racial barriers.
Personally, I’ve always held a fascination for Asian cultures and people. One of my earlier jobs was as a server at a Chinese restaurant. It was owned by the Chun family. Once, during a particularly busy time, Mrs. Chun, Nancy rattled off instructions to me in Chinese. Of course I had no clue what she said. When she realized what she’d done she laughed and translated. They were lovely people. Operative word: people.
Okay, stepping off my soapbox now and saying thank you for the affirming comments, including those about my writing. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We cannot change the past, but only endeavor to learn from our mistakes and do better.
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We can only hope, Jo. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is a shame and undoubtedly wrong, that she was excluded from roles , and deprived of the career and honor her abilities and talents would otherwise have earned. Clearly decision-makers of all stripes have erred in the past and excluded or sidelined too many that were not born to privilege. These blatant wrongs appall us now, but we, no doubt, commit millions of tiny (or not so tiny)slights on a daily basis, as unknowingly as they committed theirs, then.
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Dear Andrea,
None of us have our halos secured all that well, do we? Thank you for reading and adding to the discussion. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And it still happens – though not as much as it used to, I don’t think.
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Dear Ali,
I think things have gotten better as far as casting goes. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for the thought provoking flash. That’s a well spent 100 words.
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Thank you, D. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thankfully times have changed and casting is more reliable now, Rochelle. Although wasn’t there recently a dispute because a straight actor had been cast in a gay role. Whilst I can see the premise of the argument I’m not sure why it was an issue, gay men have played straight roles since films began.
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Dear Michael,
I missed that dispute. I’d hesitate to call that the same thing. Rock Hudson, Charles Laughton, and Richard Chamberlain come to mind. Jim Parsons played a straight role in The Big Bang Theory. Lest we lose sight of what acting is about.
Thank you for reading and adding to the discussion.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you – again – for highlighting a woman who’s not as well known as she should be. It’s a personal tragedy for those who forge the way for others – because she was the first Asian American woman to make it big in Hollywood, she had to pave the way, taking cliched roles, missing out when she should have been a shoo in. Without these people, succeeding generations of actors wouldn’t have had any success. Little compensation for her though. And to miss out on that particular role – wow! The racism! Thank you, as always, Rochelle
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Dear Lynn,
At least she had the courage to go after what she wanted. One has to admire that. I just wish, sometimes it could’ve been different for people like Anna May or Josephine Baker. The land of the free and the home of the brave seems to have failed at tolerance. Thank you for your affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s not only the States, though, Rochelle. We watched a truly disturbing BBC documentary last night on Holocaust denial. What some people convince themselves of, in the light of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, truly beggars belief. The vile prejudice underlying it all is unspeakable. People can be wonderful, inspirational – and truly depressing
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Dear Mayapple Fritter W(T)F,
I got passed over too. I tried out for one of Jed Clampett’s kids, but they said I was too crude for Beverly Hills. The part went to Donna Douglas instead. The poor girl had no talent. Every line sounding like she speaking from a Dick & Jane reader.
I also could have been Dennis the Menace. My first name is Dennis, you know, and I was quite a menace. Personally, I thought the part was below me and turned it down.
Don’t ask me to play an Asian (or a mime) in a film though, that just ain’t right.
Onion Ringer
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Dear Onion Ring,
It would be difficult to get the whiteface makeup out of your beard, although it would blend in with it.
Yeah, Donna Douglas. No talent. No looks. She was the ugly woman in the TZ classic “Eye of the Beholder.”
I can picture you with the Dennis the Menace cowlick. It fits your personality or should I say, personality disorder?
You should be on the stage…;)
Shalom,
Mayapple Fritter W(T)F
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Yes, poor Donna also starred (using the word lightly) with Elvis in “Frankie & Johnny”
Sadly, that flick was a waste of time and studio money, but it must’ve been fun to work with Elvis. I wonder what Granny thought.
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Hello Rochelle!
It’s been a long time since I’ve joined in and I can say, I have missed it.
I love your work, shining a light on the wrongs of history and what still takes place in modern day. This one is close to my heart, as seeing fellow actors and actresses overlooked because they don’t fit social concepts is hard. The industry is getting better, but there is still a way to go.
Thank you,
Hugs, Heidi xxx
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Dear Heidi,
It makes me happy to see Asians portraying Asians, Native Americans portraying Native Americans and so on. Better than when I was a kid back in the dark ages. 😉 Good to see you back. And thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I holidayed in Italy as a young girl and I remember relaxing in our hotel room one afternoon watching a Chinese movie dubbed in Italian. Bizzare! There’s so much truth in your writing, sad to see people swept aside because they don’t fit the mold. Beautiful story.
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Dear Susan,
I had a similar experience in Israel. 😉 Thank you so much for your comments/compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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OMG how much does it suck to know this even though, if course, Hollywood. Ugh there would be so many amazing movie if only they cast it true!
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Dear Laurie,
To be fair, casting has improved over the years. We still have a way to go, don’t we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good for Wong Liu Tsong for becoming a famous actress despite the discrimination she faced in Hollywood! Powerful writing as always, Rochelle.
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Dear Mags,
She was indeed a trailblazer and a very determined woman. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A good story, Rochelle. I found myself wanting to rant, words I’ve deleted. There’s a lot of hypocrisy in the arts because of and despite their openness to all.
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Dear Sascha,
Many of these stories in history make me want to scream and rant. It’s ruined some old movies for me. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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