A blog in support of FINDING KUKAN’s 10K in 10weeks “Keep This Film Alive Campaign”.
A family story often told about Soo Yong (born Ahee Young) is that when she was four or five years old her father became gravely ill and summoned the family to hear his last words. But Ahee was missing. The family searched all over for her. They finally found her in Wailuku town. She was completely mesmerized by the performance of a Chinese opera troupe who had come to town. This is Soo Yong’s earliest dramatic memory.

Chinese Opera Performers in Hawaii
Si it must have been a dream come true for Soo Yong when in 1930, at 28 years of age, she was chosen to accompany the most famous Chinese opera star of all time on a six-month tour of America.

Soo Yong acts as Mistress of Ceremonies for Mei Lanfang’s 1930 tour of America
Mei Lanfang was also idolized by Li Ling-Ai whose dramatic interests were stirred up by Chinese opera performances her father took her to when she was a young girl. During his 1930 tour Mei stopped in Honolulu and Li Ling-Ai had a chance to meet him.

Photo from the ACUW publication TRADITIONS FOR LIVING
A year or so later Li Ling-Ai left on her second trip to China and told newspaper reporters she intended to study with the great man – a lofty goal for a recent graduate of the University of Hawaii. I wondered if Soo Yong’s insider position emboldened Li Ling-Ai to approach the great Mei for lessons.

Honolulu Star Bulletin Article from August 6, 1932
I found no subsequent mention of Li Ling-Ai studying with Mei Lanfang. But several biographies of Li state that she studied privately with the famous dancer Chu Kuei Fang. It was hard to find any mention of Chu Kuei Fang on the internet and I began to doubt Li Ling-Ai’s claims. But in Soo Yong’s personal scrapbook that was donated to the University of Hawaii, I discovered Chu listed as a performer in a 1930 program for Mei Lanfang’s tour.

Chu Kue-Fang performs on the same program as Mei Lanfang
Chu must have been very accomplished to share stage time with the great Mei Lanfang. I wonder if this old photo, found amongst Li Ling-Ai’s possessions, is of Chu Kuei Fang. If anyone can positively identify the man in the photo, please let me know.

Could the man behind Li Ling-Ai be Chu Kuei-Fang?
Soo Yong and Li Ling-Ai also shared a passion for helping their Chinese homeland during the Japanese invasion of the country. As early as 1937 Soo Yong was performing in benefits to aid Chinese refugees.

December 1937 Soo Yong hosts tea for China Relief
1937 was also the year that Li Ling-Ai sent Rey Scott to China so that the story of the people of China could be told in photographs and film – the film would eventually become KUKAN. Whether Soo Yong was a role model for Li Ling-Ai or simply another extraordinary Chinese woman who became a political activist when war came we might never know. But one thing’s for certain — we should definitely know more about her than we do.
Hi Robin,
I’ve been enjoying your posts about Soo Yong! The first time I encountered her was in her small role in Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing. There was something special about her that made me ask, “Who is that lady?”
I was able to find a picture of Chu Kuei-Fang (Zhu Guifang 朱桂芳)…
http://www.dongdongqiang.com/jingdian/223-zhgf.htm
I’m not positive, but there seems to be a resemblance in the long nose and high cheekbones. What do you think?
Take care,
Dave
Thanks, Dave. The resemblance is very good indeed. Does the article say anything interesting about him? I think Soo Yong had the ability to be a great leading lady given the chance. Unfortunately by the time I got interested in her, her niece Aileen Wong Ho (her nearest descendant who wrote the little biography about her in the ACUW book), had passed away.
The article seems to be a basic biography. Zhu specialized in wudan (female warrior) roles, following in the footsteps of his father. He was one of the principal players of Mei Lanfang’s troupe, traveling with him to Japan in 1919, the US in 1929, and the Soviet Union in 1935. His style is described as bold and powerful. Then it lists his opera repertoire.
Yeah, I totally agree with you about Soo Yong. There’s an interesting Hopalong Cassidy Western that she stars in called Secrets of the Wasteland, that gives her a lot of screen time (and a cool cowgirl outfit). I haven’t dug too deeply into her filmography, but she definitely had the talent. Unfortunately, her maturity and being Chinese pretty much left her with no place in Hollywood.
Thanks so much for the translation. It provides such wonderful background. Added secrets of the Wasteland to my Netflix. Review to come.