How I discovered Anna May Wong...

My road to discovering classic entertainment and classic entertainers started with Dorothy Dandridge, and the start of the side road that led me to Anna May Wong was no different.

From The Red List

It was only several years ago when I found out that there was a statue of Dorothy Dandridge somewhere in Los Angeles, or Hollywood. I came across that grand statue and found out three other women accompanied Ms. Dandridge--Mae West, Dolores del Rio, and Anna May Wong. I knew Mae West, but of course, I had to figure out who Dolores del Rio and Anna May Wong was. A quick Wikipedia search put the names and faces of Dolores del Rio and Anna May Wong in my mind, but it wasn't until much later that I really began reading deeper into their lives and careers, especially Ms. Wong's. 

In 2012, I created a blog on Tumblr called Classic Ladies of Color and finding content for this Tumblr was and is always an educational journey. I'd remembered the name Anna May Wong and began posting photos of her, of course (because how can you not???). It was around this time that I began to really read into Anna May Wong--the person and the Asian-American actress in early 20th-century Hollywood. I found out about The Good Earth. I learned about the kind of role she played in the majority of her films and how Chinese and Chinese-American audiences felt about them. Soon, the same way I'd felt about the careers of people like Dorothy Dandridge and Nina Mae McKinney, I began to feel the same feeling of frustration and pity for Anna May Wong--yet another multi-talented woman robbed because of her race. 

From Listal

But as I always say, there's little I or anyone else can do about it now. All we can do is celebrate her legacy and work together to keep it alive! 

From Listal

You can watch some of Anna May Wong's movies on YouTube and on the Internet Archive, and of course, you can order some DVDs from Amazon or your favorite place to shop for movies. There are also some books written about her and there's plenty of memorabilia available on Ebay. 

When do you first hear the name and/or see the face of Anna May Wong?

The Life of an Aige Old Soul

Hello everyone!

I know a few of you were subscribed to my blog "My Aige Old Soul". This summer, I changed that blog's title (and URL) and the email that use to post on it. I'm not certain, but I think that as a result, you haven't been receiving the posts.

If you haven't been receiving the posts in your email, please visit The Life of an Aige Old Soul, scroll down, and re-subscribe. If you weren't subscribe before, feel free to do that today! :)

Thank you,

"Aige"

People of Color in Classic Film Turns Two!

I love classic movies. I love "Old Hollywood". So, I started a blog that would allow me to express my love for classic movies and television (and movies and television in general). I started subscribing to and following other blogs dedicated to classic film/television and performers. As much as I loved and still do love these blogs, I immediately noticed that something was missing: the black, brown, and tan people of Classic Hollywood. As my knowledge of classic performers of color (especially Black) expanded, I could no longer contain it. I just couldn't keep it all to myself. As a result, "Aige: Film and Television" on Blogspot became "People of Color in Classic Film" on Blogspot on Monday, August 27, 2012.

I cannot express how proud I am of this blog. It has become like a second university for me--an online university, if you will. This is my "baby". You all are the godparents and I am grateful for each and every one of you. I look forward to many more years of growth and friendship.

I won't be celebrating this anniversary too much. My goal was to be able to do a giveaway this year and I'm a little disheartened that I'm not able to, but you know what? There is tomorrow, there is next week, and many, many more days ahead. What I will do as a 'Thank You' to you in the future probably far outweighs the plans that I have now.


For now, I want to say a million "thank yous" for your unwavering love and support.

Love,

Adrienne (aka "Aige")

November/December Update (Video Message)

Hi guys! 

Just bringing you up to speed on POC in Classic Film stuff! 

 

************

THINGS DISCUSSED

Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood

The Birth of a Nation

Aige Old Radio

A Day in the Life of... 

(Website)

Have a great holiday, everyone!!!

--Adrienne <3 

Week of 10/7/2013

Hello all, Adrienne here! 

I've got more things brewing in "me mind" for POC in Classic Film. It's mid-terms week at my school and I've been putting in some work for my internship! Things have been hectic--but exciting--and I'm ready to come back to you all soon. As stated before, I've got some interesting things floating around in my mind that I will be putting down on paper once given the chance.

In the meantime, check out the links below!

That's Old News! (New Monthly Segment)

Movie of the Week: James Wong Howe: Cinematographer (Documentary) Review

"Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood" 

Aige Old Radio (My Aige Old Soul)

Just so You Know...

Hello all!

I know it seems like I'm always making "Announcements", but this post is more of a "Just-So-You-Know". 

I am relieved to discover that a health concern that I've had over the past few months is actually not too much of a deal (still a concern, but not a big deal). However, how this issue plays out in the future depends on how well I take care of myself now. 

With that said, (unless it's absolutely necessary) I won't be looking into or using any electronics for the next week (probably up until Tuesday, I can't see myself not using the computer or a phone for an entire seven days). I will be using this time to get some exercise, fresh air, and proper sleep. As promised though, I will still be doing some more in-depth research for posts and will be taking notes the good old fashion way--pen and paper (eek! lol). 

In the meantime, if you'd like, you could leave some comments here or on Facebook or shoot me an email with post/content suggestions. You can also complete this survey for me, too! 

Thank you for reading, "see" you all in a few days!

--Adrienne <3

April Announcement

Hello all!

Starting in May, there will be no more Monthly Reviews, but I still we be posting frequently (hopefully more frequently).

There won't be much difference between future posts and posts of the past and present, only I just won't be sticking to a particular theme.

I'm hoping to do more classic movie reviews and I will also be sharing news updates on our beloved living legends. 

I will be discontinuing "This Day and Aige" and starting a new blog (information on that later). 

Donald Bogle's 'Bright Boulevards..."

Let me first start off by saying that Donald Bogle is every bit of AMAZING. Amazing, amazing historian!

I'd previously borrowed his book Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood from my campus' library, but was unable to finish it (I made the mistake of borrowing three books at one time, SMH).

But I've got this precious gem and again and have every intention of finishing it. I also plan to pull some trivia from this book to post (properly citing of course). 

If you haven't read or referred to anything of Mr. Bogle's--be it books, DVD commentaries, documentaries, etc.--please do! The man is a walking encyclopedia of Black American Cinema!

Enjoy your weekend!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

I just came from my university's library to get some DVDs!

Of course The Good Earth is one of the movies that we will be analyzing/reviewing for this month's theme "Asian Characters...No Asian Actors Please." That review will be up this coming Tuesday.

I'll also be doing a quick review of Oscar Micheaux's Within Our Gates. This movie is one of the few surviving Black silent films. It was released in 1920, not 1919 by the way.

I'm still on a "Rita Hayworth kick", so the film Separate Tables starring her, Deborah Kerr, David Niven, and Burt Lancaster is one that I checked out for my own viewing pleasure. 

Once again, I hope every enjoys their weekend and I can't wait to have some reviews up for you!