| re: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 08:48 pm EST 02/16/21 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 08:41 pm EST 02/16/21 | |
| In reply to: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... - Singapore/Fling 01:08 am EST 02/15/21 | |
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| You speak with passion and even eloquence. I enjoy reading your posts. I don't necessarily disagree with the points you are making. There is no question in my mind in the 30's through 80's the people who made movies with Asian themes were not interested in ethnic authenticity. Actors were cast in leading and key roles because they were considered movie stars or box office draws. Regarding charges of racism, I don't believe that term should be thrown around as casually as it is on this board. I'm 72 years old and I don't believe in judging people I don't know personally. Yul Brynner had a 10 year career in regional theatre, TV, and even Broadway before The King and I. Despite the tall tales he told, every reliable source I know states that he was legitimately Asian on his mother's side (Russian, Mongol). Of course, he wasn't Siamese, but if he hadn't been cast as Mongkut on Broadway, the role would have gone to a white actor like Rex Harrison, Alfred Drake, or Noel Coward. Regarding the film, Brynner would have been a fool to turn it down. It made him a movie star. Hollywood was not an equal opportunity employer. If Brynner hadn't accepted the role, the film wouldn't have been made so no Thai actor was deprived of any opportunity to become a star. And what about the other actors of Asian descent who had significant or even small roles in the film? Was Patrick Adiarte wrong to accept the role of Chulalongkorn? Was Yuriko Kikuchi wrong to accept the role of Eliza? Both went on to have successful careers. Yuriko (like Brynner) played the role on both Broadway and in the film. She and her mother both spent years in a relocation camp during the second world war. Do you really think it would have been just to deny her the film role that she had created on stage? What about the other Asian actors cast in small roles? I can count at least 28 actors with Asian last names. Would you deny that many people the opportunity to appear in a quality, high-profile film? I have no idea what happened to them after the film was made, but certainly it was a good thing to have on their resume. Think about it. |
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