Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Olive Young (杨爱立) went to Shanghai and became one of Chinese cinema's earliest film stars. She died in Bayonne, New Jersey, at the age of 37 after collapsing in the dressing room of the nightclub where she was performing as a blues singer. Stay tuned for my attempt to piece together her mysterious life.
8 comments:
duriandave, I anxiously await any more information you can post about Olive Young. Her being American born, as am I, and a blues singer has piqued my interest.
Here I am, in middle age, trying to learn
what I can about Chinese entertainers of the past and present. You are the one who first informed me of the great Shanghai pop divas, several of whom have wowed me with their singing and/or looks.
Many thanks to you!
Best,
Don
Thanks for dropping by, Donald! Glad to hear I piqued your interest in the Shanghai divas of yesteryear. I'm afraid that Olive's stint as a singer will remain frustratingly obscure, but there are some tantalizing hints. Keep in touch!
oooooo! just from that one picture, i want to know more about her. she definitely looks like a pioneer!
Fully agree with lightning in a bottle--that is a most intriguing picture and that alone would be enough to make one want to know more about the person in it.
That rig looks almost like a very early steadicam harness but the steadicam didn't come along until much later.
Ling and Ed, this photo was my first introduction to Olive Young. I was immediately hooked and just had to know more about here. The more I dig up about her, the more interesting her story becomes. All I can say is wait until next month, when I start busting out my findings, including more rare photographs.
So I wait for next month with new pictures and follow its history.
Just took another glance at this picture--love the fur lined cap with earflaps and the HUGE goggles pushed up to her forehead. Very neat look!
Ah, my friend. The information on your postings are so precise and detailed. Well researched.
These are people I've never heard of.
Thanks.
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