Dir: Yan Jun
Scr: Huang Feng
Prod Co.: Golden Dragon
Co-starring: Yan Jun, Lin Jing, Chiang Kuang-chao, Yiu Kwang-chao, Kei Shang-tong
1957 / B&W / D Beta / Mandarin / 93min

 

In 1957, Yan Jun founded Golden Dragon Film Production and co-starred in its first production along with his newlywed wife Li Lihua. Li played Hua Siyu, a firm believer of materialism who has come to Hong Kong in hopes of landing a rich husband. However, she ends up snagging a barber (Yan) who happens to be posing as a rich businessman looking for a wife. The story is hardly original (even highly reminiscent of Li's earlier film Fake Phoenix (1947)), but Li's delightful performance makes this film pure joy. The actress even exudes the aura of a Hollywood superstar as she dances and sings while reading marriage proposal letters. This breezy romantic comedy features a number of light catchy tunes written by the talented Yao Min and Kei Shang-tong.

Screening courtesy of CDCC Paris