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Why Merle Oberon, ‘Hollywood’s first South Asian star,’ kept her race a secret

BBG News

The iconic movie star Merle Oberon is brought to vibrant life in a fresh biography, with part of its inspiration stemming from the 2023 revelation that she had Asian heritage, a fact she concealed throughout her entire life.

Initially, when Michelle Yeoh was nominated for the Lead Actress Oscar for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” various news outlets announced that she was the first Asian woman to be honored. Later, they amended their reports to acknowledge that Zarah Oberon had been recognized earlier, in 1935 with her role in “The Dark Angel.” (Yeoh eventually won the award; Oberon lost to Bette Davis.)

It’s been common knowledge since the 1980s that Oberon, who passed away in 1979, had a story that was first presented in an unpopular biography and later in a scandalous novel written by her nephew, Michael Korda. In “Love, Queenie,” author Mayukh Sen joyfully takes back her tale, recounting it with compassion and energy.

The story about Oberon, who died in 1979, has been known since the 1980s. This story was initially portrayed in an unfavorable biography and later in a “scandalous” novel by her nephew, Michael Korda. In “Love, Queenie,” writer Mayukh Sen reclaims her story with enthusiasm, sharing it sensitively and vividly.)

In his teenage years, Sen found himself deeply moved by Merle Oberon’s challenges, as she was his chosen idol among the stars of that era. Unlike other gay boys I knew, who were often captivated by different divas, Sen empathized with Oberon because he could relate to her struggle to conceal a part of herself. He also noticed and appreciated the subtle hints of her South Asian accent. Through this story, Sen hopes to encourage others to re-explore Oberon’s cinematic work.

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Known primarily for her captivating portrayal of Cathy in the timeless film “Wuthering Heights,” directed by William Wyler, Merle Oberon passed away in 1979. This exceptional actress was renowned for her striking beauty throughout her career.

Primarily, the book immerses readers in a firsthand account that feels like sharing life with Oberon throughout her existence, lending depth and emotion to her often challenging decisions. However, it’s important to note that some intricacies surrounding her hidden past need to be untangled initially.

1930s moviegoers who came across Oberon during that era – in films like “The Scarlet Pimpernel” and “The Private Life of Henry VIII – learned she was a Tasmanian-born British actress. She spent her childhood in India under the care of her father, a British officer, and his wife, before moving to England as a teenager.

To put it simply, Estelle Merle Thompson, later known by her stage name Rita Hayworth, was born in 1911 in a location now recognized as Mumbai. Her mother’s ancestry traced back to present-day Sri Lanka, while her father was an unknown British soldier. Due to their financial struggles and the racial mix of their community, life was challenging for them.

Unbeknownst to her, Estelle had been mistaken about her heritage – her older sister served as her mother, while the woman who brought them up was actually their grandmother. It seems there’s something about these family secrets that ignite acting passion – a similar scenario occurred with Jack Nicholson. According to Sen, it was her grandmother who gave Estelle the name Queenie.

Once given the opportunity, Queenie capitalized on her charm to escape. With a love-struck admirer providing the ticket, she and her grandmother embarked on their journey to London in 1929. In England, Queenie struggled at the periphery of the entertainment world, yearning to act. Although her acting skills were lacking, she was strikingly beautiful and remarkably persistent. Some contemporaries believed she took advantage of friendships; when people encountered her mother (grandmother), who had darker skin, Queenie misled them by claiming she was her maid.

Under the guidance of the esteemed director, Alexander Korda, I found my wings, transitioning into the world as Merle Oberon. Eager to fit in with my new surroundings, I endeavored to shed my Indian accent. Intriguingly, Korda’s team concocted a fresh narrative, claiming Tasmania as my birthplace—a remote and obscure location that was far from the truth but served their purpose well. It was common practice back then for aspiring actresses like myself to embark on their careers with new identities. Yet, looking back now, it’s striking to realize just how deeply this carefully crafted reinvention would impact my life and enduring legacy.

An encounter of short duration with influential Hollywood magnate Joseph Schenck resulted in her securing an agreement within the US. This setup allowed her to divide her time between England and Hollywood, demonstrating the mutual faith among studios from both continents that she was a star of exceptional caliber.

By 1939, Oberon had reached the pinnacle of success. She played a notable role in “Wuthering Heights,” a film she is most famously associated with, opposite Laurence Olivier. She then married Korda and he lavished her with precious gems. Together they acquired a lavish mansion in Los Angeles.

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Consider them as brief glimpses into dreams, powerful bursts of visual excitement that encapsulate the concentrated core of a movie-like encounter.

In a new twist, Sen reveals another aspect of the tale. Oberon found it wretched working alongside Olivier. He harbored the hope that his spouse, Vivien Leigh, would land the role instead, and took out his frustration on Oberon. This animosity eventually made Vivien so unwell that she required hospitalization.

In a contented state, Oberon was with Korda, yet her feelings didn’t match his intensity, and she engaged in at least one open affair in public. Korda returned to England for military service, while Oberon followed suit by supporting the war effort in the United States.

In Los Angeles, Oberon relished the sunny outdoors and tanned extensively, becoming significantly darker than her coworkers. However, her deeply pigmented skin occasionally caused complications during filming. Supervisors and producers suggested she use lightening creams, some of which contained harmful chemicals, exacerbating her skin problems. Despite this, she was featured in Max Factor makeup advertisements; yet, her skin condition worsened to such an extent that a cinematographer eventually developed a powerful beautifying light for photography, still used today, named after her (interestingly enough, they later got married).

The reason Sen points out that this intriguing character is worth revisiting now is because her real identity placed her in danger throughout. He clarifies the strict regulations that prevented South Asians from entering the U.S., meaning Oberon may not have been allowed in if she hadn’t disguised her identity. Furthermore, the Hays Code in Hollywood forbade interracial relationships – no romance between people of different races at all. Oberon’s career was based on her ability to romance leading white men. Is it surprising then that she chose to hide her origins?

Initially, trying to shine in both England and America appeared to be a smart business move for Oberon, but it didn’t quite turn out as planned. During the studio era, she unfortunately lacked the solid foundation that would have led to prime roles and scripts. She struggled against the weight of dwindling fame, but it was challenging to maintain the title of beauty queen in Hollywood at the age of 40.

In the 1950s, around mid-century, Oberon wed Bruno Pagliai, a wealthy Italian businessman residing in Mexico. Together with him, Oberon constructed a breathtaking villa in Acapulco, and she began to host glamorous gatherings that were frequently featured in Vogue and Life magazines. The couple adopted two siblings who were orphans from Italy. Earlier in India, Oberon’s grandmother had arranged for her to undergo an operation to prevent pregnancy. This early precaution, or a subsequent attempt to reverse it, meant that Oberon was unable to have children herself.

By the lively ’60s, Oberon adopted a tan and let her hair grow long, while maintaining anonymity. The times were evolving, yet she responded by taking a step back. She identified as a Republican, backing Gov. Ronald Reagan. In 1973, she starred in the film “Interval,” which faced widespread criticism for its outdated take on romance. However, Oberon wasn’t entirely traditional; she divorced once more and married her fellow actor, Robert Wolders, who was a quarter-century younger than herself.

In simpler terms, Oberon had numerous romantic entanglements, movies, and unfortunate circumstances that are too many to list here. We wonder why she never disclosed her real past. Sen encourages us not to pass judgment but to acknowledge the racism she experienced, the work she accomplished, and the complexity of her extraordinary, seemingly impossible life story.

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2025-02-26 14:35

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