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Forbidden City, U.S.A.

  • 1989
  • 56m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
97
YOUR RATING
Forbidden City, U.S.A. (1989)
DocumentaryHistory

It was the swinging 30s. The big bands of the 40s. It was San Francisco night life Baghdad by the Bay. And the crowds were packing the nation's premiere all-Chinese nightclub, Forbidden City... Read allIt was the swinging 30s. The big bands of the 40s. It was San Francisco night life Baghdad by the Bay. And the crowds were packing the nation's premiere all-Chinese nightclub, Forbidden City. Like the Cotton Club of Harlem which featured America's finest African American entertai... Read allIt was the swinging 30s. The big bands of the 40s. It was San Francisco night life Baghdad by the Bay. And the crowds were packing the nation's premiere all-Chinese nightclub, Forbidden City. Like the Cotton Club of Harlem which featured America's finest African American entertainers, Forbidden City gained an international reputation with its unique showcase of Chines... Read all

  • Director
    • Arthur Dong
  • Writers
    • Arthur Dong
    • Lorraine Dong
  • Stars
    • Larry Ching
    • Frances Chun
    • Charlie Low
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    97
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Arthur Dong
    • Writers
      • Arthur Dong
      • Lorraine Dong
    • Stars
      • Larry Ching
      • Frances Chun
      • Charlie Low
    • 1User review
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast21

    Edit
    Larry Ching
    • The 'Chinese Sinatra'
    Frances Chun
    • Singer
    Charlie Low
    • Owner, Forbidden City
    Mary Mammon
    • Dancer
    Toy Yat Mar
    • The 'Chinese Sophie Tucker'
    Jackie Mei Ling
    • Dancer
    Dottie Sun
    • Comedic Dancer
    Dorothy Fong Toy
    • The 'Chinese Ginger Rogers'
    • (as Dorothy Toy)
    Noel Toy
    • The 'Chinese Sally Rand'
    Tony Wing
    • Dancer
    Jadin Wong
    • Dancer
    Paul Wing
    • The 'Chinese Fred Astaire'
    Bob Chan
    • Self
    Lenna Chan
    • Self
    Gladys Hu
    • Self
    Frank Huie
    • Self
    Fritz Jensen
    • Self
    Stan Kahn
    • Self
    • Director
      • Arthur Dong
    • Writers
      • Arthur Dong
      • Lorraine Dong
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.697
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    Featured reviews

    8mjneu59

    an entertaining, multi-layered history lesson

    East meets West in this lively documentary about the first all-Chinese nightclub in America and some of the personalities who brought it to life: Larry Ching and Paul Wing (the Chinese Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire, respectively, quoting the club's own promotional ads), owner Charlie Low, and Toy Yat Mar (the Chinese Sophie Tucker), among others. The film works on several levels: as an insider's guide to a rarely seen aspect of show business; as a valuable local San Francisco history lesson; as big band nostalgia; and most of all as a cultural study exploring some of the attitudes, ironies, and misconceptions surrounding the Chinese American community, people who by definition are racially Chinese but culturally American. Director Arthur Dong has assembled a wealth of material: rare documentary footage; obscure excerpts from old Hollywood movies; and a rollicking background of 1940s swing music. But the best thing about the film is its many interviews: beyond being informative, each character tells a fascinating and touching story.

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    Storyline

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • November 17, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • DeepFocus Productions Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      56 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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