Comedy and Drama

The Illegitimate Lover

Dir: Fung Chi-kong
Scr: Lo Yu-kei
Librettists: Poon Cheuk, Lee Yuen-man
Prod Co: Kwok Ching
Co-starring: Law Kim-long, Man Lan, Leung Sing-por, Lee Pang-fei, Chan Pei Mui
1959 | B&W | Digital File | Cantonese | 115min

Law Kim-long plays two roles in this film: Fung Wong Nui’s husband Lee, as well as Fung, the fiancé of Wong (Man Lan). Lee can barely make ends meet as a letter-writer, and his wife manages to keep the creditors at bay while working as a maid. Meanwhile, the pilot Fung has gone missing, causing his fiancée, Wong, to fall seriously ill with worry. Her uncle (Leung Sing-por) hires Lee to pose as Fung to console the ailing Wong. Mrs Lee is furious when she sees Lee being close with Wong, but relents when she learns the reasons for his actions, as well as his $1,000 paycheck. Comedy ensues when Fung returns home and finds himself under the same roof as Lee…

Fung Wong Nui makes a very rare appearance as a majie (a domestic helper from Shunde). She gives a hilarious performance as a wife who alternates between sudden bursts of violence and lovey-dovey tenderness.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to view The Illegitimate Lover, which is being screened at the Archive for the first time.

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