Lotus Long, born in 1909 in New Jersey, was an American actress known for her roles in early Hollywood films. In Mr. Wong in Chinatown (1939), she plays Princess Lin Hwa, a pivotal character whose murder sets off a chain of events that drives the narrative. Long often portrayed ethnic Asian female characters, navigating the complexities of identity during a time of significant cultural tension. Her work, particularly in the realm of crime and mystery, adds a distinctive layer to the exploration of Asian representation in cult cinema.
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
A pretty Chinese woman, seeking help from San Francisco detective James Lee Wong, is killed by a poisoned dart in his front hall, having time only to scrawl "Captain J" on a sheet of paper. She proves to be Princess Lin Hwa, on a secret military mission for Chinese forces fighting the Japanese invasion. Mr. Wong finds two captains with the intial J in the case, neither being quite what he seems; there's fog on the waterfront and someone still has that poison-dart gun...
