Identifier

SCOH-81-06-34

Title

Luke Chang and Tom Gubbins

Description

News clipping with photograph of Luke Chang dressed as a Japanese soldier and Tom Gubbins.

Article in: "For years, thousands of Chinese along the California coast have looked up to Tom Gubbins (right) as their elder statesman and spiritual guide. He's the unofficial mayor of Los Angeles' Chinese colony, known to every inhabitant as "Tom Sook," which in Chinese means Uncle Tom. A Shanghai born son of an Irish father, British mother, he operates a large shop of Chinese costumes and curios but he spends most of his time counseling Chinese friends. They come to him about their domestic troubles, passport photos, hospital arrangements for expectant mothers. But probably his biggest service is acting as the No. 1 spokesman for the Chinese in Hollywood movie studios, where he advises on Oriental casting. Recently, with a rash of Japanese villains, Tom Sook has been on a spot trying to persuade his Chinese to step into the hated enemies' shoes. At first, all the money in ... were persuaded when he (pouted?) but that they'd really be helping China by portraying Jap villainy. But, like Luke Chang, album with Tom Sook below, most Chinese made one stipulation: The Japs they play on the screen must come to a fitting, bloody end."

Extent

1x1.3

Date

194x

Subject

Actors as soldiers

Chinese American actors

Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

Chang, Luke

Gubbins, Tom

Source

George Yee Album 1930-1951

Publisher

Chinese Historical Society of Southern California

Format

image/jpeg

Type

Image

Medium

Black-and-white photograph

Rights

Images are for personal research, scholarly and educational purposes. Contact the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California for information about the reproduction of images.