After the war, Soo was sighted performing in (and often managing), several Chinese theater-restaurants, including the Mandarin Cafe in San Francisco. Magicians lauded him for Asian-themed effects, terrific card work and a linking ring routine described as "surprising," though I've been unable to find out any further details regarding that routine.
It was probably around this time when he issued the throwout card featured here, with a handsome portrait of Soo clad in Chinese attire, depicted as the King of Clubs. The back design is reminiscent of patterns commonly found on Chinese pottery. Kevin Yim, a Chinese-speaking friend, spent some time translating the characters on the top of the card. He advises that they are authentic, though "flipped" Cantonese characters. The performer's name is represented by the three characters on the right and translates to "Chen Sou Hin," while the other three on the left read "illusion arts," which translates roughly to "illusionist."
In or about 1951, the trail grows cold. As suddenly as he appeared on the scene in the early 1940s, less than a decade later, he vanished. All references to his work simply disappears. My friend Kevin tried running his name through Google in English and Chinese, to no avail.
So, therein lies the mystery of Chen Ting Soo -- while I've been able to turn up this wonderful keepsake from his career, I have been unable to find out where he came from, or what happened to him. It is possible, of course, that Chen Ting Soo was a stage name, and the performer moved on or changed names. If anyone out there has any additional information about this performer's career, please let us know.
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Great posting! I have this same card and dig some digging into him as well. In addition to doing great magic, he also operated a number of Chinese restaurants and clubs in San Francisco. primarily in the Chinese section of the city. One was the Lion's Den and the last places was called The Sky Room. His wife Mabel was described in a San Francisco city directory at being an artist and living at 1505 Taylor Street. His cousin Rose was a Chinese movie actress. During World War II he toured with a USO show performing mostly in hospitals for wounded military personnel.
ReplyDeleteAnd one last comment on this wonderful post. Having worked in public relations for over 40 years and many times in Asia, it is the custom there to place the family name first, followed by the first and middle names. So, even though his card says Chen Ting Soo, in China it would more likely be Ting Soo Chen. Which opens up the can of worms on Chung Ling Soo. Of course Billy Robinson was NOT Chinese and the name was contrived, but if he ever encountered a true citizen of Chinese birth, they probably would have addressed him as Ling Soo Chung. How's that for muddying up the water.
ReplyDeleteFriend.
DeleteComing from Chinese origin, what you said was slightly wrong. Chen Ting Soo is how his name is formally spoken, but during day to day communication he would be referred to either as a Tiny Soo or even Soo. Surnames are only included formally and professionally, and it is always placed first.
Family name first, middle names second. That's the structure.