Since the mid-19th century when significant numbers of Asians began entering the United States as sojourners, the image of Asians has been dual-faced. Asians began appearing in the United States during the Gold Rush and were seen as a "god-send". However, they soon became a threat to economic stability and racial purity, thus evoking negative images. These dual images are commonly seen in films set in America.

stock characters
the yellow peril
yellow-facing