oh-sewing-circle:“Anna May Wong encountered a twentieth-century icon sometime during the fall

oh-sewing-circle:“Anna May Wong encountered a twentieth-century icon sometime during the fall of 1928. Marlene Dietrich was a rising star. Sexually voracious and, as one account puts it, ‘the busiest and most passionate bisexual in theatrical Berlin,’ Dietrich loved seduction not for power or advancement but for the excitement and emotional joy of sex. Dietrich sang a popular song with Margot Lion, entitled “Wenn die beste Freundin” (When My Best Girlfriend), which became the theme song of lesbians in late 1920s Berlin. Anna May and Marlene began appearing in public together. Alfred Eisenstadt, long before his halcyon years at LIFE magazine, captured Anna May, Marlene, and Leni Riefenstahl together at the Press Ball in January. At this and other festive occassions, photos made of Wong and Dietrich reveal an intimacy and warmth beyond a publicity friendship. In the most striking image, reproduced in a recent film about Dietrich, the photographer recorded Anna May pouring liquor into Marlene’s mouth. In Chinese culture, placing food or drink in another’s mouth in public signifies deep intimacy.Were they lovers? Biographers of Dietrich have assumed so and stated that Dietrich seduced Wong because she was an exotic personality. According to one biographer, ‘Dietrich openly discussed her casual amours, which included…Anna May Wong.’ No doubts are ever expressed; rather Anna May was simply another conquest for Dietrich, who used sex to express casual friendship rather than deeper affection. Wong’s reputation suffered greatly from this liaison. It was one principal reason for the shame her family felt toward her career. There is no definite proof that Dietrich and Wong, or for that matter Riefenstahl, were ever lovers. At the same time, Dietrich probably would not accept less of a public companion. Gay women were everywhere in Berlin, and arriving at a party with someone of the same sex simply proved one was modern. The clear intimacy found in Eisenstadt’s photos strongly suggest that Anna May had a fling with Dietrich and possibly Riefenstahl, though the latter denies ever seeing Wong after that night. Having a quick affair with so willing a partner as Dietrich does not, as some suggested, make Anna May gay. Generally, she seems to have preferred men. Certainly, a long-term relationship with Dietrich was not a realistic possibility. If anything, the tryst demonstrates Anna May’s adventurous character and willingness to cross boundaries.“-Excerpt from Anna May Wong: From Laundryman’s Daughter to Hollywood Legend by Graham Russell Gao Hodges -- source link

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