The Magic Fan

Dir: Tang Huang
Scrs: Lu Yu, Lee Hoy-shan
Orig Story: Pu Songling
Prod Co: Cathay
Co-starring: Chao Lei, Wang Lai, Tian Qing, Wang Chen, Liang Yui
1967 / Colour / D Beta / Mandarin / 91min

Scholar Liu Zigu (Chao Lei) meets and falls in love with Xiu (Betty Loh Ti), daughter of a fan shop owner. Impressing Xiu with his artistic flair, he swiftly wins her heart and receives her father's blessing to marry her. The engaged couple visit the Fairy Temple to offer their prayers of gratitude. However, Zigu's overtly flattering remarks about the fairy's beauty infuriate Xiu, a response that in turn displeases the fairy (also played by Loh) who hatches a plot to break up the lovers… The introduction of a fairy in place of Pu Song-ling's vixen and the addition of the man in the fan bring comic, fantastical whims to this screen adaptation. Truly living up to her accolade of the "Classic Beauty", Betty Loh Ti was mischievously facetious as Xiu and shrewd yet poised as the fairy.

Screening courtesy of Cathay Organisation