Did you know Asian actors were once ahead of the game in Hollywood, way back in silent film days? That's where Turner Classic Movies starts with its monthlong study of Race and Hollywood: Asian Images in Film.

The festival kicks off Tuesday, June 3, with a night of rarely seen treats, including pioneer superstar Sessue Hayakawa [right] in Cecil B. De Mille's influential 1915 feature The Cheat (Tuesday at 8 p.m.) and Lon Chaney playing Chinese in 1927's Mr. Wu (Tuesday night at midnight, both on TCM).

Thursday, June 5, salutes early sex symbol Anna May Wong with a nightlong marathon from 8 p.m., including such sensual gems as 1929's drama Piccadilly (Thursday at 10:45 p.m.) and the Marlene Dietrich vehicle Shanghai Express (late Thursday at 2 a.m., both on TCM).

Charlie Chan and Jackie Chan yet to come! Monthlong lineup, great background scoop at TCM's Race and Hollywood site.