Chinese Film Classics, 1922–1949
Columbia University Press
Chinese Film Classics, 1922–1949
Columbia University Press
Winner, 2023 Choice Outstanding Academic Title
Chinese Film Classics, 1922–1949 is an essential guide to the first golden age of Chinese cinema. Offering detailed introductions to fourteen films, this study highlights the creative achievements of Chinese filmmakers in the decades leading up to 1949, when the Communists won the civil war and began nationalizing cultural industries.
Christopher Rea reveals the uniqueness and complexity of Republican China’s cinematic masterworks, from the comedies and melodramas of the silent era to the talkies and musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. Each chapter appraises the artistry of a single film, highlighting its outstanding formal elements, from cinematography to editing to sound design. Examples include the slapstick gags of Laborer’s Love (1922), Ruan Lingyu’s star turn in Goddess (1934), Zhou Xuan’s mesmerizing performance in Street Angels (1937), Eileen Chang’s urbane comedy of manners Long Live the Missus! (1947), the wartime epic Spring River Flows East (1947), and Fei Mu’s acclaimed work of cinematic lyricism, Spring in a Small Town (1948). Rea shares new insights and archival discoveries about famous films, while explaining their significance in relation to politics, society, and global cinema. Lavishly illustrated and featuring extensive guides to further viewings and readings, Chinese Film Classics, 1922–1949 offers an accessible tour of China’s early contributions to the cinematic arts.
Chinese Film Classics, 1922–1949 is an essential guide to the first golden age of Chinese cinema. Offering detailed introductions to fourteen films, this study highlights the creative achievements of Chinese filmmakers in the decades leading up to 1949, when the Communists won the civil war and began nationalizing cultural industries.
Christopher Rea reveals the uniqueness and complexity of Republican China’s cinematic masterworks, from the comedies and melodramas of the silent era to the talkies and musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. Each chapter appraises the artistry of a single film, highlighting its outstanding formal elements, from cinematography to editing to sound design. Examples include the slapstick gags of Laborer’s Love (1922), Ruan Lingyu’s star turn in Goddess (1934), Zhou Xuan’s mesmerizing performance in Street Angels (1937), Eileen Chang’s urbane comedy of manners Long Live the Missus! (1947), the wartime epic Spring River Flows East (1947), and Fei Mu’s acclaimed work of cinematic lyricism, Spring in a Small Town (1948). Rea shares new insights and archival discoveries about famous films, while explaining their significance in relation to politics, society, and global cinema. Lavishly illustrated and featuring extensive guides to further viewings and readings, Chinese Film Classics, 1922–1949 offers an accessible tour of China’s early contributions to the cinematic arts.
A valuable addition to the field that makes early Chinese film history and analysis accessible, and familiarizes general readers with the diverse styles and creative vitality of early Chinese filmmakers. China Review International
These films represent for me not just the dawn of Chinese cinema but also the visualization of my own cultural roots. They vividly established in my imagination the cinematic awakening of ancient China in a rapidly modernizing world. Rea’s sensitive reading of these films is a fascinating and insightful look into this unique cultural touchstone. Ang Lee, Academy Award–winning director of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain
With concise plot summaries, select critical sources, and a fund of historical revelations, Rea provides an impressively coordinated set of studies of Chinese films from the Republican period. His valuable contribution is destined to become a key research and pedagogical resource in the years to come. Rey Chow, author of A Face Drawn in Sand: Humanistic Inquiry and Foucault in the Present
Christopher Rea’s Chinese Film Classics, 1922–1949 is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of early Chinese film. Featuring clear plot overviews, fascinating production details, close analyses of key scenes, and incredible detective work that traces the influence of early Hollywood and European cinema, this is the introductory textbook we have been waiting for. Michael Berry, author of A History of Pain: Trauma in Modern Chinese Literature and Film
An excellent work for film studies and for anyone wishing to learn more about China in the first half of the 20th century . . . Highly recommended. Choice Reviews
List of Figures
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I. Silent Films
1. Laborer’s Love (Laogong zhi aiqing 勞工之愛情), (Zhang Shichuan, director, 1922)
2. Playthings (Xiao wanyi 小玩意), (Sun Yu, director, 1933)
3. Sports Queen (Tiyu huanghou 體育皇后), (Sun Yu, director, 1934)
4. Goddess (Shennü 神女), (Wu Yonggang, director, 1934)
5. The Great Road (Dalu 大路), (Sun Yu, director, 1934)
6. New Women (Xin nüxing 新女性), (Cai Chusheng, director, 1935)
Part II. Sound Films
7. Song at Midnight (Yeban gesheng 夜半歌聲), (Ma-Xu Weibang, director, 1937)
8. Street Angels (Malu tianshi 馬路天使), (Yuan Muzhi, director, 1937)
9. Hua Mu Lan (Mulan congjun 木蘭從軍), (Richard Poh, director, 1939)
10. Long Live the Missus! (Taitai wansui 太太萬歲), (Sang Hu, director, 1947)
11. Spring River Flows East (Yi jiang chunshui xiang dong liu 一江春水向東流), (Cai Chusheng and Zheng Junli, directors, 1947)
12. Spring in a Small Town (Xiaocheng zhi chun 小城之春), (Fei Mu, director, 1948)
13. Wanderings of Three-Hairs the Orphan (Sanmao liulang ji 三毛流浪記), (Zhao Ming and Yan Gong, directors, 1949)
14. Crows and Sparrows (Wuya yu maque 烏鴉與麻雀), (Zheng Junli, director, 1949)
Abbreviations
Appendix 1: Other Significant Extant Chinese Films, 1927–1949
Appendix 2: Selective Name List of Film Personnel
Filmography
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I. Silent Films
1. Laborer’s Love (Laogong zhi aiqing 勞工之愛情), (Zhang Shichuan, director, 1922)
2. Playthings (Xiao wanyi 小玩意), (Sun Yu, director, 1933)
3. Sports Queen (Tiyu huanghou 體育皇后), (Sun Yu, director, 1934)
4. Goddess (Shennü 神女), (Wu Yonggang, director, 1934)
5. The Great Road (Dalu 大路), (Sun Yu, director, 1934)
6. New Women (Xin nüxing 新女性), (Cai Chusheng, director, 1935)
Part II. Sound Films
7. Song at Midnight (Yeban gesheng 夜半歌聲), (Ma-Xu Weibang, director, 1937)
8. Street Angels (Malu tianshi 馬路天使), (Yuan Muzhi, director, 1937)
9. Hua Mu Lan (Mulan congjun 木蘭從軍), (Richard Poh, director, 1939)
10. Long Live the Missus! (Taitai wansui 太太萬歲), (Sang Hu, director, 1947)
11. Spring River Flows East (Yi jiang chunshui xiang dong liu 一江春水向東流), (Cai Chusheng and Zheng Junli, directors, 1947)
12. Spring in a Small Town (Xiaocheng zhi chun 小城之春), (Fei Mu, director, 1948)
13. Wanderings of Three-Hairs the Orphan (Sanmao liulang ji 三毛流浪記), (Zhao Ming and Yan Gong, directors, 1949)
14. Crows and Sparrows (Wuya yu maque 烏鴉與麻雀), (Zheng Junli, director, 1949)
Abbreviations
Appendix 1: Other Significant Extant Chinese Films, 1927–1949
Appendix 2: Selective Name List of Film Personnel
Filmography
Bibliography
Index
- Watch this YouTube playlist of the films discussed in the book
- Read an article about the Chinese Film Classics project
- Read an article about Christopher Rea's work translating works of classic Chinese cinema
- Check out the author's website
- Check out the Chinese Film Classics website
- Check out the author's website
Winner, 2023 Choice Outstanding Academic Title