DISQUS

Kung Fu Cinema: The man who was Fong Sai-yuk: Early kung fu actor Sek Yin-tsi (1920-1986)

  • duriandave · 6 months ago
    Thanks Jean! I've been seeing a lot of flyers for Sek Yin-tsi's movies on eBay recently. It's great to know more about him.
  • Jeff S. · 6 months ago
    Really, none of these early films survived? :( Bummer. Even clips would be so fascinating to see. I've always wondered about this early era of Kung Fu cinema. Can anyone recommend any films that have survived, or perhaps documentaries about this period?

    Also, very interesting about Hung Chung-ho. If my memory is correct, in Jackie Chan's autobiography he talks about how when they were kids at the opera school Sammo was injured and couldn't work out. Sammo's grandfather kept bringing candies and treats to cheer up his grandson. Jackie says this caused Sammo to put on too much weight and led to him eventually leaving. By the time Jackie left the school, Sammo was already somewhat established in the film industry. Knowing that his grandfather worked as a director helps "connect the dots," as it were.

    Thanks!
  • dac1138 · 6 months ago
    36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN is a Hung Gar film? Did you mean MARTIAL CLUB?
  • Jean Lukitsh · 6 months ago
    Nope, I think 36TH CHAMBER is the origin story for hung gar. Monk San De taught Hung and his companions until the Qing dynasty burned the temple down. Is it true? Who knows?

    Sammo's grandmother Chin Tse-ang was also a film professional, one of the first wuxia actresses during the silent era and an uncredited producer on many of her husband's later films. They had their own studio for a while. I suspect they sent young Sammo to the China Drama Academy to prepare him for a show business career.

    I haven't completely given up hope that old films will turn up. The first Wong Fei-hung film with Kwan Tak-hing exists in an incomplete version, but for some reason has never been released on video. The reason I love these vintage flyers is because they offer a hint of what the films were like.
  • Damn It · 6 months ago
    FONG SAI-YUK AND JUNIOR'S REVENGE and LEE FUNG-KIU'S FLYING DAGGERS were both directed by Wong Jing's dad.