What?! Yes, the evergreen queen of Hong Kong cinema did in fact journey to the West seeking fame and fortune on Gold Mountain. I do believe she was the first Hong Kong star to cross over to Hollywood (please correct me if I'm wrong). Here's an article from International Screen No. 13 (November, 1956) covering her trip.
Li Li Hwa in U.S.A.
After the completion of "Rain Storm in China Town" and "Nonya and Baba", Li Li Hwa has left Hongkong for San Francisco by S. S. President Wilson. While in San Francisco she was accorded a warm welcome by overseas Chinese, and then she proceeded to Hollywood, where she was introduced to Mr. Frank Freeman, vice president of the Paramount Motion Picture Co., Mr. Cecil De Mille, director of the "The Ten Commandments", and Mr. Henry Wilson, production manager of the production. After two days sojourn, she began her tour over all the leading cities in the United States.
While in Washington, D.C., Li Li Hwa was also accommodated by Mr. Judd, the congressman, who accompanied her to visit the Chinese Embassy, being entertained also by the Chinese Ambassador Tong Shen Kwong. In New York, Li Li Hwa also entertained the local press in a big party, and was finely impressed.
Some press men said she looked much like Elizabeth Taylor; others said she looked like Merle Oberon, but above all, Mr. Cecil De Mille entertains a high hope and estimate in Li Li Hwa because of her unique and distinguished Oriental personality.
Li Li Hwa is expected to be back to Hollywood to report for her part in "The Buccaneer", the preparation work for the said production will soon be started.
Li Lihua's arrival in the U.S. was also followed with great interest by American newspapers.
CHINESE FILM STAR SIGNED BY DE MILLE
HOLLYWOOD, June 7—Cecil B. DeMille announces that he has signed Li Li-Hua, Chinese actress, to a contract and hopes to co-star her with Yul Brynner in a musical version of "The Buccaneer".
DeMille filmed the life story of the famed pirate, Jean Lafitte, in the thirties. The remake, which the veteran director calls a musical dramatization, will be made under his banner next year.
Brynner will direct as well as star and DeMille's assistant, Henry Wilcoxon, will produce.
DeMille said he has never met Li Li-Hua personally but she was so highly recommended to him that he sent for some test footage of her.
"She is a very fine actress endowed with great beauty, charm and grace. She also has a very fine singing voice."
DeMille, recalling the success of Anna May Wong, said the American screen long has needed a popular, Chinese actress.
In the silent era, one of DeMille's most popular discoveries was another Oriental — the Japanese Sessue Hayakawa.
—Oakland Tribune, June 8, 1956
HOLLYWOOD BOUND
China's leading movie actress Li Li-Hua poses prettily on rail of SS President Wilson on arrival in San Francisco. She's in the U.S. under refugee act and is on her way to Hollywood under contract to Cecil B. DeMille. She is accompanied by her nine-year-old daughter. Miss Li made 63 movies before fleeing to Hongkong when Communist armies swept across China in 1948.
—Port Angeles Evening News, July 9, 1956
Chinese Movie Queen Balks at Cheesecake
NEW YORK, Aug. 6 (U.P.)— Chinese movie queen Li Li-Hua gave notice to American moviegoers today not to expect her to appear in bathing suits, low-cut dresses or high-split gowns.
The lovely five-foot, four-inch 98-pound actress explained to a news conference in Chinatown that those were the only personal measurements she cares to make public.
"I do not consider myself a Marilyn Monroe type," she said through an interpreter, when asked if she could be compared with the American ideal of sex appeal. A reporter suggested she was more like Grace Kelly.
Li Li-Hua, who is the top Chinese movie star and one of the most popular actresses throughout the Far East, agreed.
—United Press, August 6, 1956
Well, it turned out that Li Lihua never did make The Buccaneer with Yul Brynner. It was eventually made two years later, but without Li as leading lady. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. In "What If" fantasy, it would have been a swashbuckling romance along the lines of the Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland film Captain Blood (1935). But in reality, it turned out quite differently. And Li Lihua ended up starring with Victor Mature in China Doll (1958), her first and last Hollywood film.
And what about Yul Brynner? Well, according to information on Judy Westbrook's fantastic Li Lihua fansite, although Li and Brynner didn't get the opportunity to work together, Brynner was quite charmed by Li and showered her with attention. When Li was living in California waiting to shoot China Doll, Brynner would buy groceries for her everyday and leave them at her doorstep! At the time, Li was engaged to actor-director Yan Jun, but rumors of Brynner's interest spread like wildfire in Hong Kong.
Li maintained that she and Brynner were just good friends. "Oh, you mean that baldy? He was very nice to me and we are good friends. No, I was not romantically involved with him. Oh, you reporters are so weird! Baldy Yul, Baldy Yan [Yan Jun was balding]... really, it's none of your business!"
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