director: Frank Tang
year: 1936
country: USA
alternative titles: Sum Hun

A young Chinese oper star, Fan , performs in a San Francisco theater while her manager, Jung, mutters: "She has got to be watched. She is just at the age when some upset may spoil her career." A friend invites Fan to an aviation school to meet some young Chinese-American trainee pilots. Fan meets and falls for one of them, a gifted flier named Lee, despite objections from manager Jung. Fan's friend urges her to obey Jung, for she may be jeopardising Lee's career, which could be so important now to a China under threat from foreign aggression. Fan reluctantly fakes an "affair" with the friend, and Lee leaves her in disgust. Lee's uncle, who has financed his nephew's aviation course, suddenly dies and is found to be bankrupt. Lee can no longer afford the school, but a hidden "benefactor" (Fan) finances his training. Meanwhile, she immerses herself in a successful stage career, hoping to rekindle the romance following Lee's graduation. But on January 28, 1932, the "Shanghai War" begins. Many Chinese-Americans (including Lee) rush to China's defense, Lee eventually returning to San Francisco as a war hero - and with a wife. The news stuns Fan, who loses the will to live and ultimately dies in the arms of Lee who learns of her sacrifices too late.

This film was co-produced by Esther Eng (1914-1970), one of Chinese cinema's greatest female directors - oddly, an American too. This is one of her ten lost films (nine of them as director). The film was co-produced by Bruce Wang, co-starring Wai Kim-fong as "Fan" and Beal wong as pilot Lee. Shot by cinematographer legend, Paul Ivano, with James Wong Howe as a consultant. Production company was "Cathay" of 1010 Washington St., San Francisco. It also occupied a studio in Hollywood for making this film.

Source notes
Frank Bren, 22.02.2010

Hailed as Hollywood's first Cantonese talkie, the film had another title - "Iron Blood, Beautiful Soul". Esther Eng and Wai Kim-fong took the film to Hong Kong where it premiered at the Queen's Theatre, Central, on June 30 and July 1, 1936, before playing various other cinemas there. The film launched Esther's directing career (see "National Heroine", HK, 1937, likewise "lost"). See also www.estherengstory.com Beal Wong reportedly played minor parts in many Hollywood films.for an Eng profile see Hailed as Hollywood's first Cantonese talkie, the film had another title - "Iron Blood, Beautiful Soul". Esther Eng and Wai Kim-fong took the film to Hong Kong where it premiered at the Queen's Theatre, Central, on June 30 and July 1, 1936, before playing various other cinemas there. The film launched Esther's directing career (see "National Heroine", HK, 1937, likewise "lost"). See also www.estherengstory.com. Beal Wong reportedly played minor parts in many Hollywood films. For a profile on Eng see also http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2010-01/23/content_9365379.htm