Directing
A Hong Kong drama
A Shaw Brothers production
In 1966, Connie Chan Po-chu and Josephine Siao Fong-fong starred in multiple contemporary films, cementing their onscreen persona as virtuous young women while becoming the hottest youth idols of their time. Colourful Youth remains the only contemporary film to feature both of them. Filmed in Eastmancolor, the song-and-dance spectacle keeps its fingers on the pulse of its era and presents the vigour of the modern times.
In this Chinese version of The Phantom of the Opera, the mysterious Song Danping terrorizes the newly rebuilt opera house and its young star.
Revolutionary youth Xie Jian Ming is killed by corrupt officials near the lighthouse, leading to rumors of his ghost haunting the town. Ming’s fiancée, He Mingzhu, hides his death from his mother. When Ming’s “ghost” appears, Zhu vows to marry him, holding a midnight wedding to fulfill his mother’s wish. Suspecting Ming is alive, the Police Chief arrests Zhu and Ming’s mother. Ming’s friend, Law Sagull, rescues Zhu, convincing her to join the underground movement. They disguise themselves to help Ming’s mother escape, but Ming fails to free her. Later, Ming appears at a celebration to perform, as the underground group surrounds the officials. Ming confronts and kills the Police Chief, revealing he survived and that another comrade was tortured in his place. Reunited, Ming and Zhu join the revolutionary cause.
Ting Cheuk-ting (Lee Hang), the accountant of a trading company, tries to borrow money from his employer, but in vain. The following day, the company finds that $30,000 has been stolen, and the missing money is recovered at Ting’s home. Ting’s daughter, Suk-wai (Connie Chan), takes the fall for her father. She admits to the theft and is given a one-year bind-over order, which infuriates Ting to the point of death. Suk-wai has to carry the burden of providing for her family, but constantly runs into walls due to her criminal record. She eventually disguises herself as a man to work as a typist at her father’s old trading company. The boss’s daughter, Mona Lui (Helena Law Lan), exposes her and calls the police upon discovering her secret. Suk-wai is left unable to defend herself.
Qing (i.e. Qin) Xianglian was the wife of a man named Chen Shimei, who won the first title of national examination and awarded as husband of the emperor's daughter. Then Qing (i.e. Qin) sues Chen as a murderer who plans to kill his wife and son. In spite of the royal power, gownsman Bao Zhen settles the lawsuit and sentences Chen to serve his head.
One Duel Too Many (Part 2)
HK horror film.
Hong Kong film directed by Chan Wan.
Ah Hing is made pregnant by her master Fan Chun-kit. Fan soon leaves for his studies overseas while Ah Hing suffers gross prosecution and is reduced to becoming a prostitute. In a momentary slip of a struggle, Ah Hing commits manslaughter. Now a qualified lawyer, Fan acquits Ah Hing of the charge, and intends to marry her to redeem his negligence in the past. Ah Hing, however, is determined to pursue an independent life.
Chinese Opera from Hong Kong directed by Lau Fong.
Hong Kong movie
Loosely based on Charles Perrault's Cinderella
A Chinese fantasy drama
A Shaw Brothers movie from 1960.
In search for her perfect groom, Sit (Tang Bik-wan) goes to a bordello and falls in love with talented Lee (Mak Bing-wing). Burning with jealousy, the Imperial Tutor's son (Siu Chung-kwan) frames Lee for treason, yet accidentally gets killed by Sit when she rescues Lee. To avenge his son's death, the Imperial Tutor tricks the couple into joining force in overthrowing the emperor and plans to accuse them of treason. Sit, who turns out to be the emperor's long-lost daughter, follows Lee to the palace for investigation. In the film, Tang Bik-wan put on various guises in her character, e.g. dressing as an ugly and Zhongshan dialect-speaking woman when she weds, disguising as a man while investigating. She proved herself a well-rounded diva with her marvellous singing, switching between different dialects and operatic styles. The scenes with Mak Bing-wing also show great chemistry, as the duo evolve from quarrelsome lovers to husband and wife.
