Liberty Bar,July 1958
Here is what I consider a rare glimpse at the real "World of Suzie Wong". Richard Mason, the Author of that book, spent four months in Hong Kong in 1956 "researching" the book, which was published in 1957. He stayed at the old Luk Kwok Hotel, which was then on Gloucester Road, between Fenwick and Luard. As near as I can tell, comparing with other, later photos, this is the northeast corner of Lockhart and Luard Roads-just a short walk away from the Luk Kwok. He had said that all his characters, Suzie included, were composites of women he met in Wanchai, and I have to believe he spent some time in this bar. In July 1958, when this photo was taken, his book had spent 29 weeks on the NY Times Bestseller list (falling off in March), but the movie of the same name was still almost two years away. Could that woman in the Qipao be Gwenny or Minnie crossing Lockhart Road there?
Note the "In Bounds" painted on the column,telling Military Sailors that they were permitted to enter.
Looking through the photos of HK bar cards I've found here and there on the web, I find one for the Liberty Bar, but I cannot make out the address, other than "Lockhart Road". The card states "Since 1949", and claims they play "Strictly Country and Western music"
Even though this building is long since demolished, a bar still occupies this site.
Liberty Bar,July 1958
Here is what I consider a rare glimpse at the real "World of Suzie Wong". Richard Mason, the Author of that book, spent four months in Hong Kong in 1956 "researching" the book, which was published in 1957. He stayed at the old Luk Kwok Hotel, which was then on Gloucester Road, between Fenwick and Luard. As near as I can tell, comparing with other, later photos, this is the northeast corner of Lockhart and Luard Roads-just a short walk away from the Luk Kwok. He had said that all his characters, Suzie included, were composites of women he met in Wanchai, and I have to believe he spent some time in this bar. In July 1958, when this photo was taken, his book had spent 29 weeks on the NY Times Bestseller list (falling off in March), but the movie of the same name was still almost two years away. Could that woman in the Qipao be Gwenny or Minnie crossing Lockhart Road there?
Note the "In Bounds" painted on the column,telling Military Sailors that they were permitted to enter.
Looking through the photos of HK bar cards I've found here and there on the web, I find one for the Liberty Bar, but I cannot make out the address, other than "Lockhart Road". The card states "Since 1949", and claims they play "Strictly Country and Western music"
Even though this building is long since demolished, a bar still occupies this site.