Overview"Singapore Sue" is a short musical comedy movie released in 1932. The movie was directed by Casey Robinson and produced by Paramount Publix Corporation. It embraces an unique setting on the island of Singapore and features Asian American actress Anna May Wong in the leading role, with other significant looks from George Rogan, Tetsu Komai, and Cary Grant in one of his earliest film functions. The narrative centres around 3 sailors exploring Singapore's local nightlife, focusing on the characteristics of interracial relationships and character interactions.
PlotThe film starts with the ship plain cruising into the port of Singapore while American sailors are eager for home entertainment. The scene rapidly shifts to a Singapore cabaret called The Pirates Den, a hotspot for marine officers, where Anna May Wong, playing the character of Singapore Sue, is the prime destination. She is an exotic, gorgeous, and alluring singer, captivating the audience with her stunning performances. The club is filled with sailors from various citizenships who are charmed by her presence and music.
One of these sailors is a young and naive character portrayed by Cary Grant. Together with his 2 buddies, he is taken in by Sue's beauty and grace. With the help of a local pimp, the young boys start a chain of comic misunderstandings, consisting of a hilarious and chaotic interaction when they try to interact with the character of Tiny, played by George Rogan. Nevertheless, regardless of their comedic efforts, they discover Sue just has eyes for her youth sweetheart, a Chinese sailor.
Secret Themes"Singapore Sue" depicts various themes throughout its fairly brief runtime. The most common style includes exoticism and oriental fascination contrasting Western and Eastern cultures, as translucented the eyes of sailors in a foreign land. At the same time, the movie depicts the sailors' naivety and misinterpretation of local culture with a touch of humour. The idea of unrequited love is also explored, with Singapore Sue being oblivious to the amorous advances of the American sailors and just looking for affection from her Chinese sweetheart.
Vital Reception and SignificanceThough not a substantial cinematic milestone in 1932, "Singapore Sue" has acquired attention with time due to its featuring of Cary Grant's earliest screen appearances and Anna May Wong's exceptional skill. Grant's acting contributions, regardless of being minimal, are fondly remembered, while Wong's efficiency is seen as an important representation of Asian talent in early Hollywood. Nevertheless, critics have actually highlighted that the film's representation of racial stereotypes and exoticism encapsulate the discriminative attitudes of the period.
ConclusionEventually, the 1932 film "Singapore Sue" provides a blend of amusement, exoticism, and nostalgic value. Through a blend of humour and cultural stereotypes, the movie paints a vibrant picture of sailors' nightlife in Singapore throughout the early 20th century. Regardless of its minimal runtime, it highlights the racial discrimination common because age, whilst showcasing the unequaled skill of Anna May Wong and using a look into Cary Grant's early career.
Top Cast
