Sammee Tong
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sammee Tong (April 21, 1901 – October 27, 1964) was an American film and television character actor. One of Tong's more notable roles was that of Peter Tong on the sitcom Bachelor Father, which aired on all three national networks from 1957 to 1962. Tong signed with Columbia Pictures, and in 1934, he made his film debut in a bit part in the comedy film The Captain Hates the Sea. In 1939 he returned to his home town as director of entertainment at the Chinese Village of San Francisco's World's Fair, and began the first Chinese radio hour on KSAN. Throughout the 1940s, he had small, usually uncredited, roles in films. He returned to Hollywood in the early 1950s and took roles on television. Tong made his television debut in 1953 in an episode of You Are There. The following year, he appeared in a recurring role as "George, the cook" in a series of television shorts which aired during The Mickey Mouse Club entitled The Adventures of Spin and Marty. In 1955, he reprised his role as George in the feature-length film Spin and Marty: The Movie. He also had a role in the sequel series The Further Adventures of Spin and Marty. In 1957, he landed a co-starring role in the sitcom Bachelor Father, starring John Forsythe and Noreen Corcoran. In the series, Tong portrayed "Peter Tong", Bentley Gregg's (Forsythe) live-in houseboy and valet. Although he was playing a servant, Tong enjoyed the role stating, "Houseboys in movies and the theater always bow low, mutter a few sing song words and disappear, but not on this show. I get dialogue and laughs." In his Bachelor Father role, Tong was not subservient and at one point walked out because he was not paid enough. He spoke with an accent even though the actor was born in the U.S., making it hard to judge how he spoke in real life. After Bachelor Father's cancellation in 1962, Tong was cast as Sammy Ling in the ABC sitcom Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney. Due to low ratings, ABC was considering canceling Mickey. The network was hesitant to cancel the series due to the popularity of Tong's character who had a solid fanbase thanks to his role in Bachelor Father. Tong's death effectively ended any chance for the series' survival and ABC canceled Mickey in December 1964. His final screen appearance was as "Cook" in the 1965 film Fluffy, starring Tony Randall and Shirley Jones. The film was released after Tong's death. In October 1964, Tong committed suicide at the age of 63. At the time of his death, he was appearing in a supporting role on the ABC sitcom, Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: April 21, 1901
Deathday: October 27, 1964
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Known For
Hell Bound
1957-10-01
Hell Bound
Overview: After WW2, a Los Angeles crime ring uses a complex scheme, involving a freight ship, a junkie, and a corrupt health officer, to smuggle drugs into the USA.
Genres: Action Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-10-01
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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
1963-11-07
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Overview: A group of strangers come across a man dying after a car crash who proceeds to tell them about the $350,000 he buried in California. What follows is the madcap adventures of those strangers as each attempts to claim the prize for himself.
Genres: Action Adventure Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1963-11-07
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Youth on Parole
1937-10-04
Youth on Parole
Overview: Two strangers, a man and a woman, are framed for a jewel robbery and thrown in jail. After they get out, they join forces to track down the real thieves.
Genres: Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-10-04
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For Those Who Think Young
1964-06-01
For Those Who Think Young
Overview: A wealthy young man tries to woo a university student, while her two uncles work to popularize a local club.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1964-06-01
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God Is My Co-Pilot
1945-04-07
God Is My Co-Pilot
Overview: Robert L. Scott has dreamed his whole life of being a fighter pilot, but when war comes he finds himself flying transport planes over The Hump into China. In China, he persuades General Chennault to let him fly with the famed Flying Tigers, the heroic band of airmen who'd been fighting the Japanese long before Pearl Harbor. Scott gets his chance to fight, ultimately engaging in combat with the deadly Japanese pilot known as Tokyo Joe.
Genres: Action Adventure War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1945-04-07
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Suicide Battalion
1958-02-28
Suicide Battalion
Overview: Second World War drama, set in the Philippines about a group of men recruited for the dangerous mission of destroying an American base to keep strategic papers out of enemy hands when Japanese forces invade. The men spend their last hours drowning their sorrows in a bar, but time is running out. American International Pictures originally distributed this film as a double feature with "Jet Attack".
Genres: War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1958-02-28
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Only Angels Have Wings
1939-05-15
Only Angels Have Wings
Overview: A traveling performer arrives at a remote South American port town where the head of an air freight service must risk his pilots' lives to earn a major contract.
Genres: Romance Adventure Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-05-15
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Love Before Breakfast
1936-03-09
Love Before Breakfast
Overview: Scott is a very rich businessman who hangs out with a snooty, silly Countess, but has the hots for Kay who is already engaged to Bill. Scott pursues Kay like crazy, going so far as to buy Bill's oil company so that he can banish him to Japan, leaving Kay unmoored.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-03-09
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Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
1956-05-18
Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
Overview: During an assignment, foreign correspondent Steve Martin spends a layover in Tokyo and is caught amid the rampage of an unstoppable prehistoric monster the Japanese call 'Godzilla'. The only hope for both Japan and the world lies on a secret weapon, which may prove more destructive than the monster itself.
Genres: Science Fiction Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1956-05-18
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The Midnight Story
1957-06-04
The Midnight Story
Overview: Beloved priest Father Thomasino is murdered in a San Francisco alley, and the police have few clues. But traffic cop Joe Martini becomes obsessed with finding the killer; he suspects Sylvio Malatesta. Ordered off the case, Joe turns in his badge and investigates alone. Soon he is a close friend of the Malatesta family, all delightful people, especially lovely cousin Anna. Uncertain whether Sylvio is guilty or innocent, Joe is now torn between old and new loyalties.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-06-04
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China
1943-04-21
China
Overview: Shortly before Pearl Harbor, American opportunist Jones and partner Johnny are in China to sell oil to the invading Japanese army. Cynical about the sufferings of the Chinese, Jones meets compassionate teacher Carolyn Grant while travelling cross-country to Shanghai. Sparks fly between these strong-willed characters, neither budging an inch. But when Jones witnesses a Japanese atrocity, his feelings toward his customers (and Carolyn) begin to change...
Genres: War Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-04-21
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The Accusing Finger
1936-11-17
The Accusing Finger
Overview: A proud, pro-capital punishment district attorney with a 90% execution rate, finds himself wrongly convicted of murdering his estranged wife and sentenced to die. The woman he loves and his investigator rival for her affections rally to find the real killer, while he is confronted by the misery of life on death row.
Genres: Crime Action Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-11-17
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Woman on the Run
1950-11-10
Woman on the Run
Overview: Frank Johnson, a sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police Inspector Ferris, on the theory that Frank is trying to escape from possible retaliation. Frank's wife, Eleanor, suspects he is actually running away from their unsuccessful marriage. Aided by a newspaperman, Danny Leggett, Eleanor sets out to locate her husband. The killer is also looking for him, and keeps close tabs on Eleanor.
Genres: Thriller Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-11-10
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Daughter of Shanghai
1937-12-17
Daughter of Shanghai
Overview: A Chinese-American woman tries to expose an illegal alien smuggling ring.
Genres: Crime Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-12-17
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