Forbidden City, U.S.A.

1989
7.6| 0h56m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 17 November 1989 Released
Producted By: DeepFocus Productions Inc.
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

A documentary about Forbidden City, a San Francisco Chinese-American nightclub open from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Watch Online

Forbidden City, U.S.A. (1989) is currently not available on any services.

Cast

Jadin Wong

Director

Arthur Dong

Production Companies

DeepFocus Productions Inc.

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.
Watch Now
Forbidden City, U.S.A. Videos and Images
  • Top Credited Cast
  • |
  • Crew

Forbidden City, U.S.A. Audience Reviews

Evengyny Thanks for the memories!
Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?
ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.
Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
Michael Neumann East meets West in this lively documentary about the first all-Chinese nightclub in America and some of the personalities who brought it to life: Larry Ching and Paul Wing (the Chinese Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire, respectively, quoting the club's own promotional ads), owner Charlie Low, and Toy Yat Mar (the Chinese Sophie Tucker), among others. The film works on several levels: as an insider's guide to a rarely seen aspect of show business; as a valuable local San Francisco history lesson; as big band nostalgia; and most of all as a cultural study exploring some of the attitudes, ironies, and misconceptions surrounding the Chinese American community, people who by definition are racially Chinese but culturally American. Director Arthur Dong has assembled a wealth of material: rare documentary footage; obscure excerpts from old Hollywood movies; and a rollicking background of 1940s swing music. But the best thing about the film is its many interviews: beyond being informative, each character tells a fascinating and touching story.