Tom Gubbins

Biography

Tom Gubbins stepfather is Sir Wei Yuk, one of the first Chinese politicians in Colonial Hong Kong. Gubbins was ethnically English, and he went to Hollywood and became not just a prop supplier and adviser for movies concerning China, but also was a champion for Chinese and Chinese-American actors and actresses. He tried his hardest to make sure they were not cast in demeaning roles. Anna May Wong was one of his very first discoveries, and Tom helped Anna May launched her career. Movies made under his advisory generally portrait Chinese and Chinese culture in an objective manner. Outside the Law (starring Lon Chaney) was one of the first movies in which he was involved (as uncredited assistant director). After WWII, Tom returned to Hong Kong. Fluent in Chinese and a learned scholar in Chinese literature and poetry, he died in the 1950s. He had his ashes scattered over the Victoria harbor of his beloved homeland.