Wang Naidong

Wang Naidong (王乃東, Lyton Wong, June 15, 1900 – October 3, 1995) was a renowned Chinese actor who is famous for acting in the 1934 film "The Goddess" and the 1929 film "Don't Change Your Husband". He also gained prominence during the 1920s and 1930s, contributing significantly to the flourishing Chinese film industry of that era. Wang Naidong became one of the most distinguished figures in Chinese cinema during his time.

Biography
Wang Naidong was born in a decently wealthy Hankowian Family. His father was general Wang Siming, of the Han Green Standard Army. His name, Nai-Dong, meaning resistant to winter, was due to the harsh Peking Winter during the Imperial Mobilization of Shandong, Zhilli and Jehol. His ancestors came from Henan Province, but lived in Hubei, where along with Army work, they had a tea export business. He had 5 siblings, 3 of which were older then him. He was educated at Wuhan No. 7 Western School. He was trained in traditional Chinese theatre by his Madame, Chu Shen-Wei. Due to the drastic fall of fortunes after the Wuchang Uprising, he was forced to move into a smaller 2 bedroom house, from a decently big manor siheyuan. From the ages of 16, he had started performing in the local cabarets and theatres of the city. However, after a while, he had started going into Silent Films. His first movie, "A Night in the Great City" (大都会之夜), was his big breakthrough. He quickly became a “first-pick” actor in the Hubei Silent Film Industry. Wanting to increase the amount of films he would act in, he moved to Shanghai. He acted in many movies, despite the turmoil that was occurring in Shanghai with the arrival of the KMT and defeat of local warlord armies. His famed 1929 movie, "Don't Change Your Husband" became one of the most popular films in Concession-area Shanghai, and he was praised greatly for his act. The movie was able to beat even foreign movies in terms of box office collection, and it was, for a few years in Shanghai, used as a common euphemism for scenarios such as the ones occuring in the movie. Later on, during the 1940s, upon the Shanghai population boom, it was said that old Shanghaimen could be identified by asking about characters from that movie. Wang Naidong had adapted the European name “Lyton”, from his father’s British friend, Officer Lyton Heatherington, who came to China in 1901.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Wang Naidong starred in a diverse array of films across various genres, including romance, drama, and action.

One of Wang Naidong's most memorable roles was in the 1934 film "The Goddess" (神女), directed by Wu Yonggang. In this groundbreaking silent film, he portrayed a compelling character opposite Ruan Lingyu, one of China's most iconic actresses. The film delved into themes of poverty, sacrifice, and societal injustice, with Wang Naidong delivering a nuanced performance that resonated deeply with audiences.

As the Chinese film industry transitioned to sound films, Wang Naidong successfully adapted to the new medium, continuing to deliver captivating performances in films such as "Spring Silkworms" (春蚕) and "Song of the Fishermen" (渔光曲).During the 1930s, Wang Naidong's personal life was commonly shared across tabloids and was published, especially his personal marital life and the parties he went to, meeting with the top echelons of Shanghai's high society. He also appeared in the famous jazz song "Jian Yi", which was a Mandopop hit during 1935. Wang also sponsored the famous 1935 case of Shi Jianqiao, murderer of famed Chinese Warlord, Sun Chuanfang.

Escape from Japanese Occupied China
Shanghai, Lyton's residential area, was invaded by Imperial Japan in the middle of 1937, a month after the Marco Polo Bridge incident. Lyton then escaped to his local Hubei, and then to Canton, due to the Japanese advance.

In October of 1938, the Canton Operation was launched by the Japanese Imperial Army. Lyton launched a legendary escape from Canton, using aliases and sneaking through train lines, under threat of immediate execution due to his rich actor background. Upon sneaking into the Hong Kong Border, he was shot at three times, but managed to go to Hong Kong. However, his efforts were to only grant 3 more years of freedom, as Hong Kong was occupied in December of 1941. He then collaborated with Japanese forces, making movies such as "Signal Fires of Shanghai", a masterpiece of the Wang Jingwei Propaganda department, which, if not for the deteriorating condition in China, would have caused some form of legitimacy.

Due to his collaboration with the Japanese, the Kuomintang signed a death warrant: if he ever came back to China, he was to be shot on sight. He was forced to stay in Hong Kong for the rest of his life, as after the Communist revolution, his movies were denounced as bourgeois propaganda and burnt. It was only after the reform and opening-up period of China that he was allowed to visit his ancestral house in Henan, and his old siheyuan in Hankou. 

Lyton Wong started working on Cantonese films during and after the Second Sino-Japanese War. His last known film is Sar Kua Chew Ai from 1957. He had also met Ip Man, mentor of Bruce Lee in Hong Kong.