Movies

Phantom of Chinatown (1940) Formulaic mystery, but of a certain historic and cultural interest. A revamp of Karloff's creaky "Mr. Wong of Chinatown" series, showing a move away from the earlier Yellow Peril motifs and toward a more positive depiction of the Chinese - this was in keeping with the politics at the time, with strengthening ties to China balancing increased tension with Japan. This film gave Keye Luke his only starring role, as young Jimmy Wong, and provided a substantial and intelligent role for actress Lotus Long, with romantic insinuations in the end. The story is unremarkable, and the acting is a bit uneven, but having an ethnic main character played by an ethnic actor was a momentary positive step forward. Other characters are more ethnic but portrayed in a fairly positive light, and Wong's Chinese cook provides comedy relief without being excessively degrading or cartoonish. 5/10

Lotus Long and Keye Luke discuss the case.