In February of 1958 Maria and Lisa Lu were Chinatown princesses appearing at events celebrating the Chinese New Year, which, in this case, was the Year of the Dog.
Los Angeles Evening Mirror News, Los Angeles, California, USA, Feb 18th, 1958
(Unknown Author)
Maria was one of two New Year’s princesses of New Chinatown in 1958, alongside Lisa Lu. Together with Chester Kuan, president of the New Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, they visited Undersheriff Pete Pitchess to wish him a happy new year.
Adam Kennedy (Dion Patrick), Seán McClory (Jack McGivern), Nan Leslie, Keye Luke, John Anderson, Maria Tsien (Mei Soong), Kam Tong, Richard Cutting
Maria McClay as Mei Soong is being placed as a bet during a high stakes poker game.
Dion Patrick (Adam Kennedy) and the vigilantes are investigating human trafficking in San Francisco’s China Town. While making inroads with the community Dion wins Mei Soong, played by Maria, from a dubious Chinese business man.
In the end he manages to return her to her true love, his Chinese guide during his investigation, and, with help from both, takes down the true villain: the white English teacher in a school for Chinese children.
Maria McClay as Mei Soong finds herself in a confusing situation while being kept safe at Dion’s home.
Maria didn’t get to many lines in this role but had plenty of screen time. While there are still plenty of racial stereotypes in play in this show at least it was surprisingly low on Yellow Face and had a comparably high number of non-white actors in Asian roles for its time.
Scenes Featuring Maria
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Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, USA, January 21st, 1958
by James Abbe
Deep in the column James Abbe highlights the imminent broadcast of a new episode of The Californians titled China Doll, featuring Adam Kennedy and Maria as a Chinese slave girl. Apparently “they” say that Maria is the Chinese equivalent of a what’s known as a “cupcake”.
Des Moines Sunday Register, Des Moines, Iowa, January 19th, 1958
(Unknown Author)
Maria is mentioned as co-star of an upcoming episode of The Californians, namely China Doll (Season 1 Episode 17), as a Chinese slave girl that Dion Patrick (Adam Kennedy) wins at a poker game.
The Scranton Times, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA, January 18st, 1958
(Unknown Author)
One of the more in-depth articles on Maria’s appearance on The Californians in the episode titled China Doll, featuring Adam Kennedy and Maria as a Chinese slave girl.
