The Happy Reunion

When rich girl Yu Lan-fan (Ho Lan) disappears, she is first suspected of being murdered. But when she returns, she has become a totally different person. Later, the ‘real’ Lan-fan sneaks back home and discovers the shocking truth. 

Mostly shot on location outdoors, the film features priceless snapshots of old Hong Kong, including Yung Shue Tau, the basketball court of South China Athletic Association and Hebe Haven in Sai Kung. Advanced special effects create the illusion of two Ho Lans, while realistic makeup creates two different Lam Tins. The convincing visual effects enable audiences to be immersed in the mystery without being distracted by the effects. 

Ho Lan was a new actress trained by Tao Yuen, and this film was tailor-made for her. Whether she’s playing the elegant rich girl or the rough countryside girl, her performance is always spot-on. Ho was a valuable talent for Tao Yuen, who sent her to over a dozen cities in Southeast Asia to promote the film when it was released simultaneously in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Also a Tao Yuen talent, Lam Tin carries a mature demeanour. After he left Tao Yuen, he became a renowned and respected voice actor. The brightest spot of the film is the surprising appearance of veteran actress Butterfly Wu, who caused a stir decades before with Twin Sisters (1933), produced by Shanghai’s Star Motion Pictures Company. If having her in the film isn’t already a big deal, seeing her speak Cantonese on screen is even more amazing. 

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