The Career of Anna May Wong

Unmatched Beauty
Amid the starlets of the golden age of Hollywood, Wong was a woman like none other. TIME's Richard Corliss describes her as "Tall, pretty and sinuously graceful, with a smoldering effect on people, especially men; they could be driven to a purple passion trying to describe her beauty." In this photo, taken by esteemed photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, Wong is flanked by two German actresses, Marlene Dietrich (left) and Leni Riefenstahl.

• Anna May Wong Did It Right