American Experience: Forbidden City, U.S.A. (1989)

Synopsis of American Experience: Forbidden City, U.S.A.

Although their immigrant parents retained many of the cultural mores of China, the Chinese-Americans in San Francisco of the 1930s and '40s embraced American popular music and culture. Directed by Arthur Dong, this documentary, televised on the PBS series The American Experience, profiles the San Francisco nightclub known as Forbidden City. As a West Coast, Chinatown variation on Harlem's famed Cotton Club, Forbidden City enticed WASP Americans with its "Chinese Sally Rand," "Chinese Sinatra," and "Chinese Sophie Tucker." Highlights include long-lost original recordings and archival filmed performances at the club, as well as photographs, and interviews with people such as the owner, Charlie Low. This film was co-winner of the Hawaii Film Festival's Best Documentary of the Decade. ~ Steve Blackburn, Rovi

Director(s):

Arthur Dong

Looking for special editions of American Experience: Forbidden City, U.S.A.?

See All Versions

Subtitles:

Check All Versions

Closed Captioning:

Check All Versions