This turns out to be a very watchable programmer from PRC. Anna May Wong commands the screen throughout and Mae Clarke isn't bad either. The whole story is told in little more than an hour, as per most poverty row productions, and considering the budget, it looks rather convincing. These little studios gave some one-time big stars such as those in this film a chance to show that they still had it. The production is directed by poverty row ace William Nigh, who does a fairly good job here. This was obviously but one of dozens of WW2 propaganda films, but this still has the power to entertain. Available on DVD or streaming on YouTube.

"Lady from Chungking" was a Wartime propaganda-style Flag-Waver made on a shoestring budget that really shows. The only real reason for watching this film today is for its' star, Anna May Wong.Ms. Wong's career was a study in contrast and conflict. The conflict was her battle for professional recognition and against prejudice. The contrast was that so often her genuine talent and truly great beauty and poise was put on display alongside actors who couldn't hold a candle to her and in films made as cheaply as possible."Lady from Chungking", although made relatively late in her career, is a typical example of all the above. Ms. Wong OWNS every scene she appears in - as was true of most her work. Her co-stars appear dull and forced beside her. The "Chinese" sets are nothing but trinkets and wall-hangings and cheap furniture - usually dimly lit in hopes we won't notice. The Japanese general's uniform looks like it came from leftovers of "The Emperor Jones". As is typical of these films, only REAL Asian actors sound legit(because they talk like the ordinary Americans they were), while all the Whites playing Asian roles sound incredibly Racist and Fake precisely because they are trying to sound Asian!!Then just when you're ready to chuck the whole thing - along comes another scene with Anna May Wong. She was an excellent talent, a True Star, and a Fashion Icon in her day and it is obvious every time she is on camera. There are certainly better Anna May Wong films out there but if this one is available take the chance to see it. Ms. Wong is the "Pearl" in this oyster of a film and you will be rewarded if you take the time to find her in it. Six Stars only as even Anna can't work miracles here.

Wow....were there so few Asian actors in Hollywood that they had to make Jewish-American Harold Huber (who often played Hispanic or Brooklyn characters) a Japanese General in this film...or were the film makers just idiots? Well, considering the Russian lady with perfect American diction and accent, I can just assume they were idiots. Regardless, it's pretty funny seeing the terrible casting in this movie. And, since it was made by a so-called 'poverty row' studio (because of their extraordinarily low budgets and resources), this sort of thing isn't at all surprising to those familiar with these third-rate production companies...nor are the obviously balsa wood planes used when the film begins.The film is set in Occupied China during WWII. The Japanese are in charge and LOTS of international folks drop by--including Germans, Russians and Americans. However, as I said above, the casting is weird so they all seem about the same. Anna May Wong plays a Chinese lady (this is bizarre as she really was Chinese) who cozies up to the General and pretends to be loyal to the new order--all the while she works to help her country regain its freedom. And, to further her plan, she helps free two downed American pilots. Then, things get pretty crazy--ending in an incredibly preachy little speech from Wong that is just too goofy to explain--you just need to see it.I have seen dozens and dozens of American WWII propaganda films, and while this is not the very worst...it's close. No one in the film playing any of the ethnic parts did them justice (except Wong) and the acting was pretty limp at times. Additionally, the script just seemed cheap as did the entire production. Watchable...but nothing more.

I saw this film at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens quite by accident; film screenings are included in the price of admission. (If you get the chance, be sure to visit the museum. It is a wonderful small museum.) My husband and I loved the film. While the picture quality and the sound were not great it was manageable. In the context of the time period, the story line is realistic and Wong was excellent in the title role. I will be sure to look for more films with her. If you get a chance to see this, it is definitely worthwhile. Another piece of history to fill in the gaps left out of the history books.