My guest, Paula Yoo is a screenwriter, producer, violinist and author of several books for young readers including the gorgeous picture book Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story, with illustrations by Lin Wang. We talked about the significance of the new quarter featuring Wong, the first Asian American to be on US currency, her difficult, but fruitful career as a movie actress and how her story relates to the challenges we face as a society today.

Learn more about Paula Yoo’s books on her official site

The official US Mint page for the Anna May Wong Quarter

Films discussed:

Picadilly (1929)

The Toll of the Sea (1922)

Other recommended films featuring Anna May Wong:

Drifting (1923)

The Thief of Bagdad (1924)

Shanghai Express (1932)

A Study in Scarlet (1933)

Dangerous to Know (1938)

Lady from Chungking (1942)

Watching Classic Movies Reels featuring Asian American stars from Classic Hollywood:

Nancy Kwan in The Wrecking Crew (1968)

Nancy Kwan in The Wild Affair (1965)

Anna May Wong in Shanghai Express (1932)

Toshia Mori in Blondie Johnson (1933)

Reiko Sato and James Shigeta in Flower Drum Song (1961)

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