In the 1930s, Asian-Americans performers did not have many opportunities in mainstream U.S. entertainment.These performers were limited to roles that simply made fun of their cultural heritage.But in the 1940s and 50s, opportunities for Asian-American performers began to change.Chinese American nightclubs in California permitted singers, dancers and actors to overcome racial and cultural barriers and follow their dreams.In 1989, filmmaker Arthur Dong captured that little-known part of entertainment history in his film "Forbidden City, USA."The film has now been re-made in a digital format. And Mr. Dong has turned his research into a new book.A man named Arthur Dong grew up in San Francisco, California.As a young Chinese American boy in the 1950s and 60s, he walked by a nightclub in Chinatown, a neighborhood where many Chinese people lived.He says he remembers walking past the nightclub's marquees, or displays.They showed pictures of the performers wearing elegant gowns and tuxedos. This made quite an impression on the little boy. Here is Arthur Dong.
