Lady from Chungking

The US does not have a cornered market on Jingoistic films during WW 2. The Chinese (and French) also had their share of Jingoistic films. This is one of them. All these films have one thing in common; they overemphasize the romantic notion that 90% of the occupied country (China, France etc) was ready to resist and stand up against the invader at a moment's notice. Unfortunately, this was not true. A small, courageous percentage of Chinese and French resisted the Japanese and Germans ACTIVELY. The vast majority of the populations of both China and France did not ACTIVELY resist; but PASSIVELY resisted. This film is well-made and has a good story line. The acting is top-notch, and even the blond airhead with the Mae West mannerisms does a decent job. But Anna May Wong was a legitimate first-rate actress and she steals the film. She is the first lady of Chinese Cinema and the predecessor of Gong Li, the second great wave actress from China. Yes, the film is anti-Japanese in every respect, as it well should be. This is why China and Japan will never be allies in Asia. Worth viewing.

A group of Chinese farmers are being worked by the occupying Japanese army during World War II, while secretly working their underground movement to end the oppression. Kwan Mei, whose family was killed by the invaders, is questioned by the Japanese concerning the whereabouts of an American flier that was shot down. General Kaimura is taken by Kwan Mei's beauty and becomes his mistress, but she uses this to her advantage in order to obtain information vital to the Allied war effort. When she learns of a Japanese troop train that is to arrive, it is up to her to lead her fellow Chinese and allies to intercept it, overcoming the obstacles of the Japanese army and her fellow farmers who believe she betrayed them to the enemy. Very good propaganda film from PRC, which should have been done at another studio so its message of sacrifice and camaraderie would have been heard by more. Wong is simply terrific in her role as the clever Kwan Mei and her message at the end of the film captures the essence of every person oppressed by an evil captor. The scenes with Clarke, Donath, and the American fliers really take away from the main essence of the film and just seem to pad the running time. Worth a look. Rating, 7.

This is a stilted and rather creaky wartime film, made on a low budget and meant to boost morale, so it certainly won't be for everyone. It made for interesting viewing for me, however, because of the luminous presence of Anna May Wong, who didn't disappoint. It's fantastic that her character is the leader of the Chinese resistance to Japanese occupation which gave the film an unexpected aspect of feminism, and her performance is strong. Mae Clarke is wonderful here too. The story is skeletal and rather hokey, but there is power in the film being set in China given the atrocities that were taking place there, and Wong's speech at the end still inspires:

"You cannot kill me. You cannot kill China. Not even a million deaths could crush the soul of China, for the soul of China is eternal. When I die, a million will take my place, and nothing can stop them, neither hunger, nor torture, nor the firing squad. We shall live on until the enemy is driven back over scorched land and hurled into the sea. That time will come soon, for the armies of decency and liberty are on the march. China's destiny is victory. It will live because human freedom will not perish. Out of the ashes of ruin and the old hatreds, the force of peace will prevail, until the world is again sane and beautiful."

Anna May Wong gives a poised and dignified starring performance that fully demonstrates a great but indefinable quality: screen presence. It is even more remarkable since this film has a grade-c level budget.

Harold Huber is miscast as a Japanese General (he often was miscast in his movie roles) but he does manage to subdue his usual tendency to shout dialog, and imbues his performance with the pompousness and ego that the character requires.

Ms. Wong is convincing as a leader of brave Chinese WWII resistance, a cause that was close to her international viewpoint and efforts at the time.

I would give a 10 star rating to Ms. Wong and maybe a 5 to the film itself. But I absolutely recommend that everyone view "Lady From Chungking" for Anna May Wong's performance. It is indisputably the performance of a true Movie Star.

"Lady from Chungking" was a Wartime propaganda-style Flag-Waver made on a shoestring budget that really shows. The only real reason for watching this film today is for its' star, Anna May Wong.

Ms. Wong's career was a study in contrast and conflict. The conflict was her battle for professional recognition and against prejudice. The contrast was that so often her genuine talent and truly great beauty and poise was put on display alongside actors who couldn't hold a candle to her and in films made as cheaply as possible.

"Lady from Chungking", although made relatively late in her career, is a typical example of all the above. Ms. Wong OWNS every scene she appears in - as was true of most her work. Her co-stars appear dull and forced beside her. The "Chinese" sets are nothing but trinkets and wall-hangings and cheap furniture - usually dimly lit in hopes we won't notice. The Japanese general's uniform looks like it came from leftovers of "The Emperor Jones". As is typical of these films, only REAL Asian actors sound legit(because they talk like the ordinary Americans they were), while all the Whites playing Asian roles sound incredibly Racist and Fake precisely because they are trying to sound Asian!!

Then just when you're ready to chuck the whole thing - along comes another scene with Anna May Wong. She was an excellent talent, a True Star, and a Fashion Icon in her day and it is obvious every time she is on camera. There are certainly better Anna May Wong films out there but if this one is available take the chance to see it. Ms. Wong is the "Pearl" in this oyster of a film and you will be rewarded if you take the time to find her in it.

Six Stars only as even Anna can't work miracles here.