301 DIRECTOR : Lo Wei

(07) Shaw Bros Director – Lo Wei

Lo Wei, a multi-talented director of the ‘60s~’70s who wrote, directed and co-starred in a series of acclaimed movies at Shaw Studios.

His swordplay movies:

In his mega-hit “Brothers Five”, Lo Wei teamed with six Shaw Studio top artistes Cheng Pei-pei, Yueh Hua, Lo Lieh, Chang Yi, Kao Yuan and Chin Han for this fabulous tale of a swordswoman out to reunite the brothers to avenge for their father’s brutal death. Their collaboration was remarkable !.










He reunited the star duo Cheng Pei-pei and Yueh Hua for his classic action adventure “ The Shadow Whip “ which implicated multiple murders and a heist. This made another box office hit of the ‘70s.










His frostbitten swordswoman out to avenge her parents’ death in “ Vengeance Of A Snow Girl “ was a memorable figure. Cheng Pei-pei’s dual roles as mother and daughter in ‘The Dragon Swamp’ were a success under his solid direction. Angela Yu exuded her charisma as the scheming seductive villain in his “ Death Valley ”.










His suspense thrillers:

In the 60's, Lo Wei created a Hong Kong version’s James Bond in “The Golden Buddha” . Paul Cheung was his hero where he revolved with sexy woman, secret weapons, hidden treasure and cunning foe.

In another thriller ‘Angel With Iron Fists’, Lo Wei made Lily Ho punched, kicked and bombarded with explosives. Lily Ho thus became the dashing female 'Bond' of the East.










Lo Wei, my another all-time favorite director!

133 DIRECTOR : Pao Hsueh-li

(06) Shaw Bros Directors – Pao Hsueh-li

Pao Hsueh-li, a cinematographer-turned-director made his first directorial debut “ Finger Of Doom” ( starring Ling Po, Chin Han ) in 1971. He succeeded in creating a creepy atmosphere in this tale of a zombie burial party carrying a coffin with a living heroine inside .









In the same year, Pao directed his second movie “Oath Of Death” ( starring Lo Lieh, Frankie Wei ). This wu xia pian depicted a Sung Dynasty patriot who made an oath of death to avenge his villainous sworn brother’s treachery. However Pao failed to fill this interesting plot with expected fast-n-furious actions.

In the following years, Pao co-directed several movies with the legendary Chang Cheh. Indeed, they out did themselves in their subsequent kung fu flicks “Boxer From Shantung”, “Man Of Iron”, “Iron Body Guard” ( starring Chen Kuan-tai )…










Pao again directed his own movies in 1974. His anti-Japanese film “Heroes Of The Underground” ( starring Ling Yun, Ching Li, Frankie Wei ) was one with excitements and suspense. His kung fu movie “Five Tough Guys” ( starring Chen Kuan-tai, Frankie Wei, Ling Yun, Lily Ho ) successfully narrated the battle between usurper and some patriots with wonderful fighting choreography.










However, there were some of Pao’s movies which were bad. “The Battle Wizard” ( starring Danny Lee, Tien Ni, Lin Chen-chi) was badly adapted from Jin Yong’s renowned novel by him. “The Shadow Boxer” ( starring Shih Sze, Frankie Wei ) and “The Imposter” (starring David Chiang, Chen Kuan-tai, Danny Lee, Wang Chung ) failed due to the absurb plots.










The impressive movies directed by Pao were his crime actioner “The Deadly Angels” ( starring Liu Yong) and kung fu flick "Five Tough Guys".

114 DIRECTOR : Ho Meng-hua ( part 2 )

(05) Shaw Bros Director : Ho Meng-hua ( part 2 )

In the early ‘70s, Ho Meng-hua has made an explosive erotic movie “Kiss Of Death” that brings actress Chen Ping to stardom. In this controversial movie, Chen Ping plays a rape victim who seeks revenge; playing opposite her is Lo Lieh. A follow-up with this box-office hit is “ The Sinful Adulteress” with Chen Chun, another erotic thriller.










During this period, Ho has diversified to make some fantasy movies as “The Mighty Peking Man” (starring Danny Lee), “The Black Magic I, II ” (starring Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Tien Ni), “The Oily Manic” ( starring Danny Lee, Chen Ping )…









With his innovative instinct, Ho directed a kung fu movie “The Flying Guillotine” (starring Chen Kuan-tai) in the mid-70s which is another box-office hit, followed by “The Dragon Missile” ( starring Lo Lieh, Liu Yong).










Now his classic wu xia genre.

Ho’s earlier swordplay movies are restricted to the familiar plot of vengeance. “The Killer Darts” (starring Chin Ping, Yue Hua), “The Lady of Steel” (starring Cheng Pei Pei, Yue Hua) and “Vengeance Is The Golden Blade” (starring Chin Ping, Yue Hua) are those traditional avengers movies.










In “The Lady Hermit’ (starring Cheng Pei Pei, Shih Sze, Lo Lieh) and “The Long Chase” (starring Yue Hua, Lo Lieh, Li Ching), he makes a breakthrough in terms of plot and fighting choreography and these movies make a hit in the box-office. The recognition of his achievements in swordplay movies has motivated him to make two more wu xi pian “The Golden Lion” and “Ambush” ( both starring Li Ching). However, that era is the decline of wu xia pian genre.

Ho Meng-hua – another all-times favorite director !

87 DIRECTOR : ' Ho Meng-hua '

(04) Shaw Bros Director – Ho Meng-hua ( part 1 )

Ho Meng-hua, one of the many Shaw Studio directors that is talented and has tremendous directing versatility. In the early ‘60s, Ho collaborated with two other directors Chen Yu-hsin and Li Han-hsiang to make two huangmei operas “ A Maid From Heaven” (starring Ling Po, Fang Yin) and “The Adulteress” (starring Li Li-hua, Kwan Shan). Although an amateur, his directing talents in these spectacular classics about the fairy-mortal romance and the tragic Qing trial are remarkable .











Ho’s acclaimed adaptation of the classic novel “Journey To The West” (starring Yue Hua, Diana Cheung) is a box-office success in the ‘60s. The rambunctious Monkey, the lecherous Pigsy and their righteous Monk are classic characters that give an ever-lasting impression. The success has enable him to continue the sequel “ Princess Iron Fan” (starring Ting Hung, Cheng Pei Pei, Lily Ho) , “Cave of the Silken Web” (starring Yu Chien) and “Land of Many Perfumes” (starring Fang Yin).










Not only the Chinese classic novel, Ho has also directed “The King With My Face” which is based on the legend of French King Louis the XIV. This is a Shaw-Korean joint production and young Li Ching co-stars as the princess who is entangled in the triangular love with the twin sons of the emperor. A very interesting thriller that is in my favorite collection.











In the same era, Ho has explored new movie genre to make contemporary drama. He has successfully created the title role “Susanna” for actress Li Ching to win the “Best Actress” award in an Asian Film Festival. The damsel-in-distress in this tear-jerker touches many with her superb performance.

( To be con't... )

35 DIRECTOR : ' Inoue Umetsugu '

(03) Shaw Bros Director - Inoue Umetsugu

Inoue Umetsugu, one of Shaw Brothers Japanese import who is famous for his series of Hong Kong’s Hollywood-styled musical extravaganza. In the ‘60s, he has three musical hits with Shaw Studio: “The Millionaire Chase”, “Hong Kong Nocturne” and “Hong Kong Rhapsody”.

“The Millionaire Chase” depicts the adventures of a trio ( Lily Ho, Chin Ping, Ting Pei) who search for their love and wealth; “Hong Kong Nocturne” revolves three sisters (Cheng Pei Pei, Lily Ho and Chin Ping) who go separate ways in search of their dreams; “Hong Kong Rhapsody” teams Li Ching and Chen Ho to make this light-hearted romp a delight for romantics.

Inoue continues to impart a Japanese sensibility in his subsequent musicals. “We Love Millionaires” and “The Venus’ Tear Diamond” ( both starring Lily Ho, Ling Yun) are familiar musical slapsticks with Hong Kong, Japan and Korea pop-cultures; then his “The Yellow Muffler”, “Whose Baby Is In The Classroom ? “, ……. However, the results are silly and ridiculous plots which ruined the talents.

Inoue has demonstrated his directing versatility. In the early ‘70s, he has made an interesting crime thriller “The Brain Stealers” ( starring Lily Ho, Chen Ho) . Same era, he makes a romance movie “Sunset” ( starring Ching Li, Chin Pei) where the weak plot is a disappointment. His most successful masterpiece is the “5 Billion Dollar Legacy” ( starring Hsing Hui, Wang Ping ) .

25 DIRECTOR : Chu Yuan

(02) Shaw Bros Director - Chu Yuan











Vibrant colors, gorgeous sets, stars-pack cast… these are the trademarks of director Chu Yuan’s movies. Since his popular success of “Killer Clans” in the mid-70s, he begins his long series of adaptation of Ku Lung’s novels : “The Magic Blade”, “Clan of Intrigue”, “Jade Tiger”, “Sentimental Swordsman”, “The Proud Twins” …. starring most of Shaw Studio biggest stars as Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Ching Li, Yue Hua, Ling Yun, Fu Sheng, Derek Yee, Tsung Hua…. . These movies give him an international reputation.













Prior to this wave of adaptations of Ku Lung’s novels by him, Chu Yuan has filmed a number of swordplay and kung fu movies in the early ‘70s. When he joins Shaw Studio in 1971, his first stab at the swordplay film is “Duel For Gold” . Subsequently, “The Killer” , “The Bastard” and his 1972, immensely popular, controversial wu xi pian “Intitmate Confessions Of A Chinese Courtesan” .

Chu Yuan’s greatest hit in the HK movie industry is his renowned comedy “House of 72 Tenants” , This has created another wave as many comedies are seen in the cinemas : “The Country Bumpkins”, “Gossip Street”…. However, his sequel “Hong Kong 73” is not well perceived as the “House of 72 Tenants”.

Chu Yuan has a strong aesthetic sense and he infuses his trademark elegance into the elaborately stylized romance. This is obvious in his “Lovers Destiny” , “The Forbidden Past” , “Sex, Love and Hate” and “Sorrow Of The Gentry”.

Chua Yuan – my all-times favorite director of the ‘70s !

24 DIRECTOR : Yueh Feng

( 01 ) Shaw Bros Director - Yueh Feng

Yueh Feng was one of the veteran directors in the Shaw Brother Studio. In the '60s, he was renowned for his huangmei diao. His "Madam White Snake" (starring Lin Dai) and "Lady General Hua Mu Lan" (starring Ling Po) were big hits during the theatrical releases. Towards the end of the huangmei craze in the early '70s, he directed the last Shaw Brothers huangmei opera "3 Smiles" (starring Ling Po and Li Ching) which was one of the top ten movies of that year.

Yueh Feng had directed a few wu xia pian. However, his wu xia pian was rather unique as he emphasized on the developments of villains rather than the righteous knights. This was obvious in two of his wu xia pian " A Taste Of Cold Steel" (starring Chang Yi, Shu Pei Pei) and "Bells Of Death" (starring Chang Yi, Chin Ping). Of course he had some wu xia pian which are commendable. In "Rape Of The Sword" (starring Li Li-hua, Li Ching, Chiao Chuang), the focus was now on the vengeful swords woman and her maiden; in "The Golden Knight" (starring Lily Ho, Shu Pei Pei, Kao Yuan) , the righteous knights were the key characters entangled in a web of suspenses and murders.

Yueh Feng had directed a few contemporary drama. Sad to say that his claimed "tear-jerker" failed to agitate my emotions . "The Younger Generation" (starring Ling Po, Yang Fang) and " The Silent Love" (starring Ling Po, Chin Feng) were monotonous movies. However, I like his light-hearted comedy "Spring Blossoms" (starring Yang Fang, Chin Feng, Shu Pei Pei) which brings joy to one.