Memories of Light and Shadow

The Magic Cup (2K Digital Version) 

Dir/Scr: Lung To
Prod Co: Tao Yuen
Cast: Law Yim-hing, Mak Bing-wing, Fung Bo-bo, Auyeung Kim, Lee Hong-kum
1961 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | Chinese Lyrics | 103min (Part One) | 109min (Concluding Episode)

The Magic Cup, Part One (2K Digital Version)

Bobo Fung, a prolific child star often compared to Shirley Temple, captivated audiences with over 120 films between the ages of 6 and 9. The Magic Cup is perhaps her most iconic work in her days as a child star, showcasing her talent as a clever and lovable girl navigating a troubled family life. Bobo’s widowed father (Mak Bing-wing) remarries a cruel stepmother (Lee Hong-kum), who beats her and conspires with her lover (Auyeung Kim), a man skilled in dark magic, to harm her father. When Bobo stumbles upon a magic cup, she summons the Magic Cup Genie (Law Yim-hing), whose powers surpass those of the villain. Together, they defeat the stepmother and her lover, save Bobo’s father, and even help him marry a princess (also played by Law Yim-hing), creating a happy new family.

Produced by Tao Yuen, a studio known for making films that are both educational and entertaining, The Magic Cup is a delightful mix of fantasy, music, and comedy, with a strong moral core. Probably inspired by Aladdin, the film weaves a magical tale of good triumphing over evil, brought to life with innovative filming and post-production techniques that continue to charm audiences from the 1960s to today.

The Magic Cup, Concluding Episode (2K Digital Version)

Bobo’s fantastical adventure continues in the concluding episode as she embarks on a mission to rescue her father from a life-threatening conspiracy. Accused of kidnapping the princess by Bobo’s scheming stepmother and her lover, the emperor orders her father’s execution. With the help of the Magic Cup Genie, Bobo clears her father’s name and ensures his rightful marriage to the princess. But danger looms as the stepmother’s lover, hungry for power, tries to steal the magic cup and uses dark magic to destroy Bobo and her father.

Bobo Fung’s adorable performance is perfectly complemented by Law Yim-hing’s dual roles as the dignified princess and the caring Magic Cup Genie. The Genie serves not only as Bobo’s guardian angel but also as a spiritual mentor, filling the void left by her late mother.

Packed with imagination, the film features innovative special effects that were groundbreaking for their time, using low-tech ingenuity to create magical tricks, from shrinking Bobo to conjuring two emperors. These effects, which required five times the usual footage, highlight the filmmakers’ creativity and technical ambition. The stunning results cement the film’s legacy as a pioneering fantasy classic, beloved by generations of audiences.

 

# Post-screening talk with Keeto Lam and Eric Li

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