Upgrade
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 126
- Location
- California
Sally Rand brings to mind another performer at the Golden Gate Exhibition, Noel Toy and her bubble dance.
She would later work for Charlie Low’s Forbidden City which was unusually an all-Asian nightclub during the Era. Rather than pander to Oriental Exocitism, they set out to prove that they were just as American as anyone else even if it did mean to title acts as, the Chinese Frank Sinatra, the Chinese Fred and Ginger, the Chinese Sophie Tucker etc. even if they weren’t actually Chinese. Of course, it was controversial for both communities. There’s a fascinating documentary and coffee table book called Forbidden USA with promotional literature showing that they were well aware of their unusual situation and their “slant” on life.
The nightclub would be the basis for Flower Drum Song.
There aren’t very many examples of Asians protrayed outside of stereotyped roles during the golden age of the American dream. I’m trying to recall if there’s more to fill in the gaps between Pat Suzuki, Bachelor Father, and Barney Miller.
She would later work for Charlie Low’s Forbidden City which was unusually an all-Asian nightclub during the Era. Rather than pander to Oriental Exocitism, they set out to prove that they were just as American as anyone else even if it did mean to title acts as, the Chinese Frank Sinatra, the Chinese Fred and Ginger, the Chinese Sophie Tucker etc. even if they weren’t actually Chinese. Of course, it was controversial for both communities. There’s a fascinating documentary and coffee table book called Forbidden USA with promotional literature showing that they were well aware of their unusual situation and their “slant” on life.
The nightclub would be the basis for Flower Drum Song.
There aren’t very many examples of Asians protrayed outside of stereotyped roles during the golden age of the American dream. I’m trying to recall if there’s more to fill in the gaps between Pat Suzuki, Bachelor Father, and Barney Miller.