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| re: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 09:53 am EST 02/17/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... - WaymanWong 03:45 am EST 02/17/21 | |
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| Well, the point of my post (which was a response to Singapore/Fling) was to acknowledge the contributions of two rarely talked about actors, Patrick Adiarte and Yuriko Kikuchi, whose performances in The King and I were delightful and added (admittedly not enough) authenticity to the film. As a pre-teen, I enjoyed the film. Although as I got older, I certainly was aware that it was pretty much just a romanticized fairy tale, concocted by a Jewish duo who made popular musicals, but didn't have a clue about the real milieu behind their invention. I seriously doubt that either Adiarte or Kikuchi expected anything more out of the experience than the opportunity to appear in a big budget movie musical, something that both richly deserved and had earned by their talent and hard work. While neither became a major star, Kikuchi has enjoyed a long, productive life, and Adiarte did have a fairly significant career on TV that lasted over a decade. In many ways they were groundbreaking performers who set an example for future performers. Adiarte over the years has seemed like a really gracious guy, who has said a lot of very positive things about his relationship with Yul Brynner and his experience in making the film. I don't think there is any question that if any of the films from the past (with Asian themes) like The Good Earth, Dragon Seed, The Teahouse of the August Moon, The King and I, and possibly others are remade, every single Asian role will be cast with an Asian actor (although some of them may not meet your particular Asian litmus test). |
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| re: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 08:13 pm EST 02/17/21 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 08:03 pm EST 02/17/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... - BroadwayTonyJ 09:53 am EST 02/17/21 | |
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| Well, the point of my post was to comment on your response to Singapore/Fling, which read to me like a defense of Brynner's casting in ''The King and I,'' which, of course, you're entitled to champion. But the post also seemed to be a rationalization for ''yellowface'': in essence, ''Hollywood was not an equal opportunity employer,'' so Asian actors should be grateful for the scraps and small parts they were thrown. I guess I'm not so forgiving of a Hollywood system that was ''not interested in ethnic authenticity.'' For decades, Caucasian actors could play Caucasians, PLUS Asians, Latinos, Native Americans, etc. So Hollywood brought us John Wayne as Genghis Khan, Marlon Brando as Emilio Zapata, Jeffrey Hunter as Cochise, etc. Talk about white privilege. On the other hand, good movie roles were rare, especially for Asians, Latinos and Native Americans; sometimes, they didn't get to play roles of their own race, robbing them of their chances to showcase their skills and find fame. Thanks for spotlighting Adiarte and Yukiko. They deserved better. IMDB.com lists Eliza as Yukiko's only real role as an actress, and Adiarte's most notable TV stint looks like it was playing a cabin boy on ''M*A*S*H.'' What a shame Hollywood didn't value actors of color, like them, more. I've little interest in remaking or recasting old ''Asian-themed''films, especially those that did yellowface. I'd rather focus on today's new shows, like ''Soft Power,'' or movies, like ''Crazy Rich Asians,'' ''Parasite'' and ''Minari,'' which showcase stories about Asians, created by and cast with Asians. |
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| re: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 09:43 pm EST 02/18/21 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 09:37 pm EST 02/18/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Mickey Rooney is the most racist version of yellowface... - WaymanWong 08:03 pm EST 02/17/21 | |
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| I was in a cranky mood last night. When I read your post, it made me pretty angry, but I was tired out (shoveling snow a lot) and wisely decided to wait a day before responding. After shoveling more snow this afternoon, I re-read your post and then re-read my post to Singapore/Fling to see if I accidentally misspoke. Your post is entirely reasonable and respectful (although I don't agree with everything you say). However, I think I understand where you are coming from. My post is not a defense of Brynner's casting. I was 8 years old when my parents took me to see The King and I. The film blew me away. I loved the sumptuousness of it all, the beautiful music, and the performances. However, I was just a child and had no understanding of the casting process or any underlying racial issues. I just knew that I loved the film. I wasn't trying to defend the Hollywood system of casting white actors in non-white roles. I said that I didn't like the way the word racism is so casually thrown around on this board, but that I could not judge others unless I knew them personally. The OP had praised Brynner's portrayal, but said that he should have declined the role because the film was racist. I pointed out that actors like Adiarte and Yuriko Kikuchi had worked hard and earned the right to appear in the film. The entertainment business, but especially movie making in the 30's through the 50's, was one of crassest, unfair operations in this nation. It's purpose was to make money. Fairness, social engineering, and equal opportunity were not part of the program. The decision makers were a bunch of white guys or white Jewish guys. Asian actors, but especially southeast Asians, pretty much were not considered for lead roles in "A" pictures. Nevertheless, no one put a gun to any actor's head (regardless of race). Those who went into the business during those years were fools if they didn't know what they were up against. I don't know why IMDb describes Adiarte's role in M*A*S*H as a cabin boy. He actually played a soldier in the South Korean army who had been wounded and ended up being treated by Alda and Rogers. After he recovered, they assisted him from being re-conscripted. He became one of their scavengers (he was called a swampboy, I believe) -- he became highly adept at "lifting" equipment from other units to help out Alda and Rogers' medical operation. It was a small role, but a good opportunity for Adiarte to show his versatile acting skills. Anyway, that's my recollection. I was a big fan of the series (and, yeah, I had a huge boy-crush on Adiarte). |
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