Oh, definitely look it up on TCM or perhaps YouTube, etc.
It's blast! Particularly for anyone into "Back of Beyond" games set in China at that time. All kinds of politics--national and … bedroom. Lots of scenario ideas here.
Anna Mae Wong stands out (she always does) and is a great screen foil for "La Dietrich," who is shot by her mentor, Sternberg, like she's the Second Coming of… something hot1
Tremendous atmosphere and detail--you're missing a great good movie, otherwise.
And while I'm proselytizing for great films on the same general subject, lay your corneas on "The Bitter Tea of General Yuan," with Barbara Stanwyck and… wait for it…Anna Mae Wong. While a German actor plays the General under a pound of "Yellow Face," this is a slightly kinky romp with the audience's old "Yellow Peril" thinking and some sexual fantasies that probably sold a ton of popcorn.
Set in the same general period of China's Warlords Period, there is a lot more action in this one, more plot ideas for "Back of Beyond."
And watch for the great Richard Loo in his pre-evil-Japanese-Officer days in the war to come.
Enjoy!
TVAG
