Trust Clark Gable to find a stunner even in far-away Hong Kong. That girl behind the Hollywood-like dark glasses is Li Li-hwa, top glamour girl of the Chinese movie world. The stars took a cruise together around Hong Kong island, where Gable is starring in "Soldier of Fortune". — Associated Press, December 3, 1954
I really wish I could have been a fly on the wall during this historic meeting between Clark Gable and Li Lihua.
According to gossip columnist Walter Winchell, "Clark Gable left a Large Torch burning in Hong Kong. She is Li Li Hwa... Translation: Plum Blossom" (Syracuse Herald-Journal, January 3, 1955). Was there any truth to the rumor?
A previous news item suggests otherwise, reporting that "his press agents had started a story that he may marry Li Li-Hwa" (Fergus Falls Daily Journal, December 15, 1954). Evidently, it was one of many engagement rumors prior to Clark's marriage (his fifth) to actress Kay Williams in 1955.
Then again, Clark was a notorious ladies man. Were there actual sparks — and even flames — when the King of Hollywood met the Empress of Chinese Filmdom? Only the fly on the wall knows...
14 comments:
I like very very much!
I love this post, they are stunning together, too bad the sparks were mere rumor!
Nice new look! Welcome back Dave. Holiday seemed short?
Welcome back, Dave. I think that Blogger ate your comment on my blog.
I caught China Doll on TCM the other week. It's kind of a shame that Li Lihua never worked with an American studio again. Clark Gable would have been a more interesting screen partner than Victor Mature.
-- Nora, glad you like the photos. They're definitely a rare find. I was pretty excited to get my hands on them!
-- ZombieLace, they certainly do look good together! Regarding the sparks, the rumors were still flying just weeks before Clark's marriage to Kay Williams: "Clark Gable... still exchanges pash notes with Miss Li Li-hua..." (according to columnist Dorothy Kilgallen, June 30, 1955).
-- SpyMonkey, glad you like the new look. I couldn't stay away from bloggin too long. I started getting withdrawal symptons. ;p
-- GoldenPigsy, no problem. I'll post my comment again. :)
Yeah, I also would've rather seen Li Lihua paired up with Clark Gable than Victor Mature. But it was undoubtedly for the best that she cut her Hollywood career short. She had bigger fish to fry in Hong Kong (playing empresses rather than china dolls).
Great post David,
In an alternative universe i like to imagine these stars playing the leads in "The world of suzie wong"
Though Gable would be totally miscast as an artist struggling to find himself!
Thanks GoldenPigsy for the info about China Doll.
Victor Mature never took himself too seriously.
On trying to join a club that didn't accept actors he said. "I am not an actor and i have 30 films to prove it"
China Doll film clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR2p48_RfKM&feature=related
Hi Eddy! You may be interested to know that some Hong Kong actresses were considered for the role after France Nuyen (who played in the original broadway show) left the production. According to an article in the most recent HKFA newsletter, Kitty Ting Hao was recommended by Cathay studio chief Loke Wan Tho. Shaw star Margaret Tu Chuan also tested for the role. Evidently, neither stars met the level of English proficiency required by the role, and instead it ended up going to Nancy Kwan, the grand-niece of Loke Wan Tho.
thanks David
i didn't know those two other actress when in the running for the role. I am pretty sure i saw somewhere that Tsai Chin played Suzie in the west end production.
i think William Shatner played opposite France Nuyen in the broadway show.
Yes, Tsai Chin did star in the West End production.
BTW, I can't help but laugh when I imagine William Shatner in that role. All I can think of is him as Capt. Kirk being beamed down to 1960s Hong Kong. ;p
hi David
Kirk, Spock, McCoy and some expendable red shirts beamed down to 1960's Hong Kong would of made a great Star Trek episode. I can just imagine them walking into the Lam Kok bar.
Dave - Great post and pics.
Soldier of Fortune - some great locations to be seen in that movie.
I did a breakdown for Gwulo.com not so long ago and everyone pitched in the identify some of the more obscure shots:
http://gwulo.com/soldier-of-fortune-hong-kong-locations
Thanks for the link, Phil! That's a great shot breakdown. Now I need to watch the movie again with your list on hand. :)
When I first saw Soldier of Fortune a couple of years agao, I was blown away by the technicolor footage of old Hong Kong. Those opening shots are breathtaking!
gosh, people knew how to dress and be glamourous back then! a different era...
Yep, now everyone wears jeans! ;p
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