Bitter Phoenix, Sorrowful Oriole
Scr: Mok Hong-si
Prod Co: Nanyang
Cast: Ma Si-tsang, Cheung Yuet-yee, Lam Mui-mui, Lau Hark-suen
1947 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | 125min
Ma Si-tsang, another opera maestro, was also an early advocate of promoting Cantonese opera through the film medium and even established his own film companies in 1931 and 1934. Bitter Phoenix, Sorrowful Oriole is the title of his operatic masterpiece from his Tai Ping Opera Troupe. The film used the same title to draw the audience's attention but the story was actually inspired by Hollywood classic The Thin Man (1934). A famous detective (Ma) is framed for murder when he investigates the disappearance of a millionaire. While another operatic diva Cheung Yuet-yee provides opportunely witty banter as Ma's wife, Ma flaunts his signature singing style by putting on a beggar's disguise and indulging in a performance of the excerpt, Yu Hap-wan Pours Out His Heart, from the original play.