Actress Wang Renmei in the 1930鈥檚

cctv.com 07-04-2005 15:20

In 1985, Wang Renmei鈥檚 memoirs and letters were published. Titled 鈥淢y Rise to Fame and Unhappiness鈥 the book tells the story of Wang Renmei鈥檚 life in Shanghai鈥檚 film industry in the 1930鈥檚. Nearly forgotten for many years, the book rekindled memories of one of the decade鈥檚 biggest stars. Wang Renmei was born into a scholarly family in 1914. At only 13, she joined the Bright Moon Troupe performing variety shows and her future was sealed. Many of the 1930s鈥most famous actors trained in the troupe before going into the movies. The record-breaking film 鈥淪ong of the Fisherman鈥established Wang Renmei as a household name and her bold screen persona gained her the nickname 鈥淲ild Cat.鈥

The film 鈥榃ild Rose鈥was a turning point in Wang Renmei鈥檚 career and gave her a unique image among actresses. In the film, she played a character quite similar to herself in many ways. Her outgoing and bold personality was a hit with movie-goers and Wang Renmei soon had an army of fans. When magazines showed her latest styles, many young educated women rushed to follow suit.

In 1935, Wang Renmei became the first representative of China鈥檚 movie industry in the international arena. Her starring role in 鈥淪ong of the Fisherman鈥won a prize at a film festival in the Soviet Union. This was the peak of her career. After her marriage to Jin Yan, also a famous film actor, her career went downhill. United Photoplay would not renew her contract, claiming that as a married woman she could not be as popular. The pressures of the marriage also played a part in her professional decline. The bold performances that got her the nickname 鈥淲ild Cat鈥disappeared. Around Shanghai, people joked that she had been tamed. Although she kept acting for several years, nothing could surpass her performance in 鈥淪ong of the Fisherman.鈥

Editor:Liu Fengming  Source:CCTV.com