JAMES WONG HOWE (or Jimmy Wong How)
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Wong How, a Chinese immigrant who arrived on the Pasco scene before the turn of the century has several distinctions. He operated one of the first general merchandise stores in Pasco, and he imported many Chinese goods to sell here, for which there was a great demand. In addition, he was also a labor contractor who helped the Northern Pacific Railway to recruit Chinese construction workers and section hands.
We also remember How as the father Jimmy Wong How who became a world-famous Hollywood cinematographer. Jimmy was born in China in 1899. His father returned to China to bring the family to Pasco in 1904 where Jimmy entered school. Being the only Chinese boy in class, he sometimes fell victim to the pranks and thoughtless racial slurs of his classmates.
Jimmy became interested in photography, and earned money to buy his first camera from John Sullivan the druggist by selling old medicine bottles to the druggist. As a result of his numerous playground battles, Jimmy became such an adept fighter that he turned professional when he became older… It was after he drifted to California, fighting an occasional professional bout enroute, that he came to the attention of Cecil B. DeMille in Hollywood, who hired him as an assistant to his camera man. This was in 1917, and soon he became an outstanding camera man in his own right.
He became a famed and highest paid cinematographer in Hollywood and he filmed more than 125 successful movies in his 53-year career in films. It was in the early stages of his Hollywood career that Jimmy changed his last name from How to Howe, and thereafter he was known as James Wong Howe. He was nominated for an Academy Award 16 times and won it twice – for the “Rose Tatoo” in 1955, and for “Hud” in 1964. When he passed away in July 1976 the Washington D.C. WASHINGTON STAR stated that in the Famous Players-Lasky Studio “he was often given the worst equipment in the studio until directors discovered his talent.”
Following are some excerpts from statements which he dictated to his wife Sanora, a Caucasian, giving his thoughts about the Bicentennial and what it meant to him, with the title, “I Believe This Change For the Better Will Go On.” About a month later he passed away.
One of the finest experiences of my life was when I became a naturalized citizen of the United States. I had long wanted to become a citizen, and admit to feeling frustrated at times by the limitations of being a legal alien. I wanted to own a home and could not. My wife, Sanora Babb, and I were not permitted to marry in California until after World War I when a miscegenation law was repealed. My work in motion pictures often required me to be on long locations in other countries, but I had to rush back and forth every six months to prevent the loss of my residence.
Racial prejudice was painful, especially when I was a child and did not understand that it was ignorance. But I was determined to be one of the best motion picture photographers, not necessarily in competitions with other photographers, but with myself and my ideals. I couldn’t help being a perfectionist, and I never got over it. I worked hard and made every effort beyond the day’s job to know my medium and enjoyed my work.
Being an Asian contributed to my determination, and my growth as a person. Lamenting the worst of the past is a waste, a dead end. There was just as much that was good. It takes both to make a whole, and it is up to us as individuals to come into balance.
I came to the United States as a child, and when I grew up and learned more of the history of the Chinese here, and all they contributed under trying and often tragic circumstances, I realized that my generation had it easier, racewise than our parents and grandparents, and that the newest generation has it much easier than mine. I believe that this change for the better will go on and on. I have little patience with whining, self-pity and violence; they should not be confused with honest protest and aims for dignity.
When I see so many fine young Chinese women and men enjoying their careers, I credit a variety of reasons now a valuable part of modern society, but I can’t help thinking and knowing that even with these changes, the individual’s personal efforts, complementing talents or aptitudes, are still a most important and vital part of fulfilling life work. I count work a great privilege. Living isn’t worth much without it.
This country gave me a chance I would not have had in China at that time, to develop my talents, to do work I honestly loved doing for almost sixty years until retirement. This does not mean I don’t feel Chinese, that I do not respect my background. I do. But I also feel American and celebrate its Birthday with love.
The above thought ought to be an inspiration to any thoughtful and ambitious young person. At the June, 1977 meeting of the Franklin County Historical Society, a program to honor the memory of the late James Wong Howe was given by Mrs. Alice Hogan West and by Ralph Smith, both long-time friends of Howe, who had been guests in his Hollywood home. Smith presented a color-slide documentary of Howe’s life and Hollywood career. Mrs. West reminisced about the highlights of her long acquaintance with Howe, and about the many visits with him and his wife in Hollywood, giving her the opportunity to meet many other Hollywood celebrities.
