Liu Qi: Bigger than Marilyn

Do you remember Liu Qi and her funky knit leotard from a few months ago? Well, I recently stumbled upon some amusing articles about Miss Liu in the American press.

It appears that in 1953 she was being touted via AP's photo wire as "the Marilyn Monroe of China" (Syracuse Herald, October 9, 1953). The caption mentioned her latest film as being Tradition, which was one of the first productions of Asia Pictures, a U.S. government–funded film company founded by Zhang Guoxing, a former correspondent for United Press International. The studio was a part of a larger campaign to counter Communist influence in Hong Kong and overseas Chinese communities through the deployment of soft propaganda. Apparently, a key ingredient of which was good ol' American cheesecake.

Some months later, however, Liu Qi was apparently taking issue with her new nickname. The following articles, however contrived they may be, seem to offer a genuine glimpse of the proud Miss Liu, as well as some insight into the complex situation of being a Chinese film star in the Cold War era.

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Buxom Chinese Actress Refutes 'Marilyn' Title
by Albert Yuan

TAIPEH, Formosa, May 23 (UP) — A curvaceous Chinese movie actress from Hongkong bitterly refuted her unofficial title, the "Chinese Marilyn Monroe," today and loudly proclaimed she was being victimized.

"I really don't know why you newspapermen always link my name with her," she said angrily.

"I am Liu Chi," she said, perking her heavily lipsticked mouth.

But a close female associate, in a position to know, quickly muttered, "She has a bigger bust than Marilyn."

Proves Point

Miss Liu Chu has a 37-inch bust to prove her point.

After five days of entertaining National Chinese troops with other charmers from Hongkong, luscious Liu Chi sneaked out for a shampoo.

In a secluded beauty parlor, Miss Liu bitterly exhibited her Oriental pride and features.

"Do I look like Marilyn Monroe?" she asked this correspondent.

"You look better," I replied, numb with admiration for her buxom beauty.

She angrily snorted and returned to her shampoo.

One Inch

The United Press, in a close check, found out that Miss Liu Chi outdid Mrs. Joe DiMaggio by at least one inch.

"If I were in Hollywood," the Hongkong actress said, "I would be more glamorous than she."

Miss Liu Chi appeared exhausted after shaking hands with nearly 3,200 Nationalist soldiers who had waited hours to see her.

Her itinerary had included Tachen Island off the China mainland coast, but her trip to that island was cancelled because of the fighting there.

— Pacific Stars & Stripes, May 23, 1954

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Most Women Wriggle Hips, She Says
Chinese Star Sees Nothing Unusual about Monroe Walk
by PETER SUM

HONGKONG — UP — Hongkong's answer to Marilyn Monroe thinks the Hollywood star's celebrated walk is "every woman's walk."

Liu Chi, who has a 36-inch bust, 24-inch waist, a 37-inch hip, and the "Monroe walk," said:

"The Monroe walk is every woman's walk and there's nothing peculiar about it."

The 28-year-old Chinese star is not one to run down the male population.

Plays Other Woman

"A man is just as untrustworthy as a woman," she said. "If a woman complains that her man is untrustworthy, then why permit him to be her man?"

Miss Liu, a native of Peiping, began making movies five years ago. Earlier she acted on the stage in China's wartime capital of Chungking.

She came to Hongkong from Shanghai when the Communists were threatening that city in 1949, and since then she has made six movies. She usually plays the part of "the other woman."

Plans To Visit U.S.

Miss Liu made a trip to Tokyo and Formosa in February this year. She said she went to Tokyo for "recreation" and to Formosa to "boost the morale of Nationalist troops" and "to comfort freed former Chinese prisoners of war from Korea."

Like most other successful Chinese movie actresses who are now in Hongkong, Miss Liu plans to visit America, especially Hollywood.

"I am applying for an entry visa for the United States where I wish to remain as long as my money and the U.S. authorities permit me," she said.

Asked whether she will consider making movies in the United States, the oval-faced beauty said:

"It has to depend on whether American producers have an eye for me."

— Lubbock Evening Journal, June 25, 1954

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As far as I know, Liu Qi never did make it to Hollywood. But she most definitely caught the eye of this humble blogger. Stay tuned for more about the lovely Miss Liu.