After the war, the radio industry took off in a huge way in Hong Kong, as radio broadcast became one of the most popular forms of entertainment for the people. In the footsteps of public broadcaster Radio Hong Kong (now Radio Television Hong Kong or RTHK), Rediffusion Radio and Commercial Radio sprang up to cash in on this new entertainment platform. To attract listeners, the two stations created "Airwave Novels", radio plays, "ethical fictions" and other programmes that paved the way for the creation of radio stars. These radio stars were so popular that they would even cross over to films. Stars in the 1950s included Li Ngaw, Siu Sheung, Tang Kei-chen, Ngai Mun, Chung Wai-ming and Chiang Sing. The following decade also brought us Wan Fong-ling, Stephen Chan Chu-kwong, Tam Bing-man, Lam Bun, Ma Chiu-tse and many more.

For this series of Morning Matinee, we're bringing these radio legends back to the big screen – particularly Li Ngaw, Siu Sheung, Wan Fong-ling, Stephen Chan Chu-kwong and Tam Bing-man. The programme include the acting debut of these radio stars (all except Li Ngaw's), taking audiences back to this important period in Hong Kong pop culture.

Morning Matinee series is guest-curated by Yuen Tsz-ying

Li Ngaw: This renowned "Airwave Novel" writer and actor has worked for radio stations in Guangzhou, Macau and Hong Kong over the course of three decades. Thirty-seven of his "Airwave Novels" have been adapted for film. He directed 10 of those adaptations, including his directorial debut Pure-Blossom in the Snow (1951). In 1981, Li joined television network TVB and acted in the Hong Kong 80s sitcom series (1981-1986), which made him a household name. Now at the age of 94, Li still dabbles in writing as a hobby.

Siu Sheung: In 1948, Siu entered Guangzhou's Fengxing Radio as a radio announcer and met Li Ngaw. They were married the following year. Later, her solo "ethical fiction" broadcast on Hong Kong's Commercial Radio proved to be hugely popular with listeners. In the 1990s, Siu finally crossed over to movies with two acclaimed works – Ann Hui's Song of the Exile and Stanley Kwan's Center Stage. This past September, Siu celebrated her 67th wedding anniversary with Li Ngaw, and the two are as loving as ever.

Stephen Chan Chu-kwong: Chan entered the radio world in 1957 as an announcer who was also involved in scripting, translation and artists' training at Rediffusion Radio. In the 1960s, Chan joined Commercial Radio and became hugely popular after the success of radio drama The Love of a Rickshaw Coolie, which would later be adapted into a film. In the 1980s, Chan also worked as a scriptwriter, a film financier and even had businesses in Mainland China. In 1995, Chan joined TVB and became a dubbing artist. At the age of 84, Chan has left the entertainment industry and is currently enjoying retired life.

Wan Fong-ling: Wan's broadcasting life began at the age of 12 in Rediffusion Radio's kids program. In 1959, she joined the newly established Commercial Radio, where her gentle and richly emotional voice moved listeners across the city and earned her the title "The Queen of Broadcasting". In the following decade, Wan appeared in 15 films and recorded five albums. In 1975, Wan worked as a dubbing artist for TVB and Commercial Television. When the latter shut down three years later, Wan retired from acting for good. She eventually moved to Sydney, Australia in 1986 and still resides there today.

Tam Bing-man: Dubbed "The Prince of Broadcasting", Tam has worked as a performer for over six decades and continues to work actively as a dubbing artist. Tam began as an announcer on Rediffusion Radio at the age of 18 and became a radio star with The Modification of a Country Girl, which was later adapted into a hit film. Since then, Tam has acted in over 80 films – including hits The Country Bumpkin and Enjoy Longevity-300 Years – and recorded 30 albums. To this day, Tam remains one of the most recognisable character actors in Hong Kong thanks to his prolific acting career on film and television.