Abstract: In 1950s, Shanghai Movie actresses got good chances and great challenges within the context of the communist revolution. On one hand, the discourse of women’s liberation let them get respect and an opportunity to improve their social status. On the other hand, they did not play an important role in Shanghai urban culture any more. Their subjectivity was sharply reduced by the socialist state power. Trapped between chances and dilemmas, movie actresses tried their best to struggle for a better life. They reshaped their identity and developed their own agencies.

Key words: 1950sShanghai, Movie actresses, Chances, Dilemmas, Agency