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When Were You Born?

Original title: When Were You Born
  • 1938
  • Approved
  • 1h 5m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
456
YOUR RATING
Anthony Averill, Lola Lane, Margaret Lindsay, Leonard Mudie, and Anna May Wong in When Were You Born? (1938)
Mei Lee Ling, an astrology expert, tells one of her fellow passengers on a ship, that he will die within two days and the next day he is dead. The police suspects that Mei does know something, but she doesn't.
Play trailer2:23
1 Video
13 Photos
Film NoirWhodunnitComedyCrimeMysteryRomance

Mei Lee Ling, an astrology expert, tells one of her fellow passengers on a ship, that he will die within two days and the next day he is dead. The police suspects that Mei does know somethin... Read allMei Lee Ling, an astrology expert, tells one of her fellow passengers on a ship, that he will die within two days and the next day he is dead. The police suspects that Mei does know something, but she doesn't. But to clear herself she offers her help to solve the murder. Soon she... Read allMei Lee Ling, an astrology expert, tells one of her fellow passengers on a ship, that he will die within two days and the next day he is dead. The police suspects that Mei does know something, but she doesn't. But to clear herself she offers her help to solve the murder. Soon she and the police find themselves in a web of crime and false identities.

  • Director
    • William C. McGann
  • Writers
    • Anthony Coldeway
    • Manly P. Hall
  • Stars
    • Margaret Lindsay
    • Anna May Wong
    • Lola Lane
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    456
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William C. McGann
    • Writers
      • Anthony Coldeway
      • Manly P. Hall
    • Stars
      • Margaret Lindsay
      • Anna May Wong
      • Lola Lane
    • 21User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:23
    Trailer

    Photos13

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    Top Cast32

    Margaret Lindsay
    Margaret Lindsay
    • Doris Kane (Leo)
    Anna May Wong
    Anna May Wong
    • Mei Lei Ming (Aquarius)
    Lola Lane
    Lola Lane
    • Nita Kenton (Cancer)
    Anthony Averill
    Anthony Averill
    • Larry Camp (Aries)
    Charles C. Wilson
    Charles C. Wilson
    • Inspector Jim C. Gregg (Taurus)
    • (as Charles Wilson)
    Jeffrey Lynn
    Jeffrey Lynn
    • Reporter Davis (Gemini)
    Eric Stanley
    • Shields, Corey's Valet (Virgo)
    James Stephenson
    James Stephenson
    • Phillip 'Phil' Corey (Libra)
    Leonard Mudie
    Leonard Mudie
    • Frederick 'Fred' Gow (Scorpio)
    Olin Howland
    Olin Howland
    • Peter Finlay (Sagittarius)
    Maurice Cass
    Maurice Cass
    • Dr. Merton (Capricorn)
    Frank Jaquet
    Frank Jaquet
    • Sergeant Kelly (Pisces)
    Clayton Moore
    Clayton Moore
    • Assistant District Attorney
    • (as Jack Moore)
    Manly P. Hall
    • Self - Manley P. Hall - Opening Narrator
    • (as Manley P. Hall)
    Sidney Bracey
    Sidney Bracey
    • Juggler Barrows
    • (uncredited)
    Sol Gorss
    Sol Gorss
    • Ship Passenger
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Graham
    • Ship Passenger
    • (uncredited)
    John Harron
    John Harron
    • Dr. Merton's Assistant
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William C. McGann
    • Writers
      • Anthony Coldeway
      • Manly P. Hall
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.8456
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    Related interests

    Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep (1946)
    Film Noir
    Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
    Whodunnit
    Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
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    Mystery
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      The film was meant to be the first in a low-budget franchise starring Anna May Wong as a amateur detective who uses astrology to solve crimes.
    • Goofs
      Anna May Wong's character is depicted as a Chinese native, but she practices Western astrology instead of Chinese astrology.
    • Quotes
      • Phillip 'Phil' Corey (Libra): She's just asking questions. I don't like curious people.
    • Crazy credits
      In the opening credits, each of the 12 main actors is billed with his or her character's astrological sign; naturally, there is one for each sign.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Anna May Wong, Frosted Yellow Willows: Her Life, Times and Legend (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Please Be Kind
      (uncredited)

      Music by Saul Chaplin

      Played when Ming tells Nita about herself in the ship's lounge

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    Details

    • Release date
      • June 18, 1938 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • La cartomanciana
    • Filming locations
      • San Francisco, California, USA(stock, rear-projection footage)
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 5m(65 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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