Program Series: Beyond the Icon: Anna May Wong

The Toll of the Sea

Anna May Wong’s first starring role was based on a character from Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly. A young Chinese woman, Lotus Flower (Wong), finds a white American man floating in the sea, saves him, and they fall in love. He promises to take her home with him, but he betrays her, returning to China with his white wife and the son Lotus bore him.

Sat, Nov 20, 2021 | 7:30pm PT

Ted Mann Theater

Tickets are Presale to Members only and will become available to the public on August 2, 2021 at 5:00 PM

The Toll of the Sea

Anna May Wong’s first starring role was based on a character from Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly. A young Chinese woman, Lotus Flower (Wong), finds a white American man floating in the sea, saves him, and they fall in love. He promises to take her home with him, but he betrays her and leaves, only to return with his white wife to take the son Lotus bore him. Written by one of the most renowned and prolific scriptwriters of the era, Frances Marion (the first writer to win two Oscars), this was the first feature film made in Hollywood to use the two-strip Technicolor process. 

Live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla. Director: Chester M. Franklin. Cast: Anna May Wong, Kenneth Harlan, Beatrice Bentley, Baby Moran. 1922. 54... minutes. USA. Color. Silent. 35mm. Restored print courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive All film screenings of Beyond the Icon: Anna May Wong are available .

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    Location

    The Academy Museum and its theaters are located at 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

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  • Accessibility

    Audio Description

    For visitors who are blind or partially-sighted, audio description devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. 

    Real-time audio descriptions are available for some performances upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of describers. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request.

    Closed Captioning

    For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, in-seat closed captioning or descriptive audio-devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. Please confirm availability at academymuseum@oscars.org before planning your visit. 

    Real-time captioning is available for programs upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of captioners. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request.

    Please see our Accessibility page for complete information, including details on our Visual Description Tours, Calm Mornings, and Covid-19 policies.