Kao Pao-shu

Kao Pao-shu

Born: February 2, 1939
Died: July 20, 2000
in Suzhou, China
Kao Pao-shu or Gao Baoshu (Chinese: 高寶樹; 1932–2000) was a Chinese actress, producer, writer and film director who appeared in over 100 films during her career. Originally from China, Kao moved to Hong Kong in 1951, where she acted in minor role before joining Shaw Brothers Studio in 1958. Here, she starred in over 80 films, working alongside directors Yueh Feng and Cheng Kang, and she made her directorial debut in 1970 in Lady with a Sword. Later she started her own company, producing films throughout the 1970s before she retired in the 1980s. In July 2000, she died at the age of 68.

Movies for Kao Pao-shu...

The Jade Fox
Title: The Jade Fox
Released: March 10, 1979
Type: Movie
In her bid for domination of the kingdom, a wicked woman invites opponents to their doom at her 'Fairyland' estate.
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Lost Swordship
Title: Lost Swordship
Released: January 1, 1977
Type: Movie
A golden-masked clan master, who had killed many top fighters, was determined to acquire an invincible sword manual so as to rule the martial world. Hence, he pursued a swordsman who possessed the manual, but the latter managed to escape and discovered a cave whereby he met two martial arts masters who taught him the invincible sword skills...
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Low Society
Title: Low Society
Character: Tang Li
Released: December 30, 1976
Type: Movie
A misguided youth falls into the bad company of an underground brothel syndicate but redeems himself on discovering that his mother was murdered by the syndicate's female boss.
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Female Fugitive
Title: Female Fugitive
Released: August 7, 1975
Type: Movie
The police close in on "Miss Big Boss," the leader of a large drug organization centered in the Golden Triangle. Meanwhile, two kids find themselves on the run after witnessing the murder of an undercover police officer.
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Win Them All
Title: Win Them All
Character: (Guest star)
Released: June 28, 1973
Type: Movie
Filial daughter seeks revenge on father's killer. She must associate with dishonest people to finance her mission.
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Trilogy of Swordsmanship
Title: Trilogy of Swordsmanship
Character: Ying Ying's Mother
Released: November 5, 1972
Type: Movie
Three martial arts directors united for this unique anthology film. Yueh Feng writes and directs a clever love-and-kung-fu triangle, Cheng Kang both writes and directs kung-fu courtesans battling brigands, and the "godfather of the kung-fu film," Chang Cheh, creates a cliff-hanging, swashbuckling mini-movie with maxi-action.
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A Place to Call Home
Title: A Place to Call Home
Character: Julie Liou
Released: April 11, 1970
Type: Movie
Li Ching plays one of three daughters, whose life is turned upside down when she discovers she is adopted. But things get even worse when she goes in search of her real mother. Finally, after almost a double tragedy, she realizes what so many knew all along: There's no place like home.
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Double Bliss
Title: Double Bliss
Character: Mrs. Li
Released: February 4, 1970
Type: Movie
A melodrama about the blossoming love between two music students returning home from abroad and planning to wed. However, both of their parents don't know about it and when they find out, all bliss blasts away as social gaps become an issue.
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The Golden Sword
Title: The Golden Sword
Character: 7th Lady
Released: October 15, 1969
Type: Movie
Bai Yu Lung's father mysteriously disappears one night, and for 10 years Bai searches for him in vain. Finally, he decides to head to the far northern part of the country with the hope that he can find a clue in that region. There, he falls in love with a beggar (Cheng Pei-pei) and they continue the search together.
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Vengeance Is a Golden Blade
Title: Vengeance Is a Golden Blade
Character: Mrs Li Yuexiang
Released: July 19, 1969
Type: Movie
Li Zhishan is a rich man, but wealth cannot keep the loyalties of his wife, who has been visiting the bed of a rival. She helps plot against him, and the Vicious Long Brothers invade his home and steal the Golden Dragon Blade - a sword that makes its wielder unbeatable. Zhishan, crippled in the attack, and his young daughter are whisked away by a devoted servant, and the trio soon find shelter in the home of an herbalist. Years pass, the daughter grows up to be a lovely young woman and a powerful fighter, and the Long Brothers use the Golden Dragon Blade to gain power in the region. Zhishan's family of sorts has managed to stay well hidden, but a trip into the city - the daughter's first - sets off an old power struggle as Zhishan's wife discovers her daughter is quite alive.
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Spring Blossoms
Title: Spring Blossoms
Character: Mrs Zhao
Released: April 18, 1968
Type: Movie
Spring Blossoms is a parable about the Chinese youth culture and what's important to the younger generation when it comes to romance. It starred a new wave of seventies, Shaw's beauties, Lily Li, Shu Pei-pei and Essie Lin-chia as single women looking for love. It's a triple-decker romantic bus ride on a road to nowhere speeding toward a low bridge.
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Mist over Dream Lake
Title: Mist over Dream Lake
Character: Hsu Chieh Chun
Released: January 5, 1968
Type: Movie
Shaw Production
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King Drummer
Title: King Drummer
Character: Sun's mother
Released: November 15, 1967
Type: Movie
Ling Yun plays the replacement hired for a popular band whose egotistic drummer quit to join a rival group. When the new arrival becomes a hit, he earns the jealous wrath of the predecessor. Meanwhile, the young drummer's mother is fervently against his music career. With the gorgeous Lily Ho as the manageress of the band and some terrific drumming set pieces, the whole thing, needless to say, comes off with a bang.
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Trapeze Girl
Title: Trapeze Girl
Character: Jin-Hua
Released: October 25, 1967
Type: Movie
A Shaw Brothers Circus Drama about a Trapeze Girl
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The Midnight Murder
Title: The Midnight Murder
Character: Madame Wang
Released: September 5, 1967
Type: Movie
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That Tender Age
Title: That Tender Age
Character: Wen-Chieh's mother
Released: July 19, 1967
Type: Movie
Characters live through that Tender Age
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Too Late for Love
Title: Too Late for Love
Character: Li Juan
Released: March 29, 1967
Type: Movie
Su Fen, a young and frail girl, looked forward to her wedding with her fiancé, Li Kuo-liang. The happy couple's bliss was cut short when war broke out. Kuo-liang was summoned to fight at the front lines. In his absence, Su Fen discovered she had tuberculosis.
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The Goddess of Mercy
Title: The Goddess of Mercy
Character: Princess Miao Yun
Released: March 21, 1967
Type: Movie
With her elegant classic persona, Li Li-hua was the ideal performer for period aristocratic and imperial roles. The Goddess Of Mercy is a good example of her strong empathy and noble presence. The youngest daughter of a brutal king, the princess openly disapproves of the floggings and cruel treatment her royal family heaps on the peasants. As a result, the heartless king turns on his own daughter forcing her into exile. This humanistic tale will inspire and hearten even the most cynical viewer.
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The Pearl Phoenix
Title: The Pearl Phoenix
Character: Mrs Huo
Released: February 4, 1967
Type: Movie
Huangmei Opera movies like The Pearl Phoenix are unique to 1960's Hong Kong culture, a product of the Swinging Sixties but considerably more in touch with their Chinese roots. This one is complete with a gender-bending tale where the male lead is played by female and the female lead poses as a man, plus movie queen Li Ching and the singing voices of Ivy Ling Po and Jing Ting. Sit back and enjoy!
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The Joy of Spring
Title: The Joy of Spring
Character: Teacher
Released: December 21, 1966
Type: Movie
Hong Kong musical directed by Lo Chen.
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The Blue and the Black 2
Title: The Blue and the Black 2
Character: Madame Kao's Eldest Daughter-in-Law
Released: July 20, 1966
Type: Movie
Part two of the wartime love story
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The Blue and the Black
Title: The Blue and the Black
Character: Madame Kao's eldest daughter-in-law
Released: June 29, 1966
Type: Movie
It's a powerful melodrama about a thwarted romance in 1930s Tientsin, China, during the Japanese occupation, and it stars Linda Lin Dai, one of the era's most popular stars. It was part of Golden Horse's 100 Greatest Chinese-Language Films.
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The Monkey Goes West
Title: The Monkey Goes West
Character: Green Snake Demon
Released: January 18, 1966
Type: Movie
THE MONKEY GOES WEST is the first entry in the studio’s epic, four-part screen adaptation of “Journey to the West,” a 16th-century novel recounting the efforts of a Buddhist monk and his magical companions to travel to India and bring back Buddhist sutras.
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The Twin Swords
Title: The Twin Swords
Character: Gan Sumei
Released: December 22, 1965
Type: Movie
Gui Wu happens upon a kidnapping with his wife Gan Lian-zhu at the Red Lotus Temple. Lian-zhu sends Wu to go for reinforcements while she stays to fight the kidnappers. Fortunately, the mysterious Scarlet Maid is surreptitiously helping her.
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Squadron 77
Title: Squadron 77
Character: Kuo Chiang's mother
Released: December 2, 1965
Type: Movie
Spy thriller set in occupied Shanghai. Li Lihua stars as the woman who is thrust into the role of nationalist freedom fighter when she discovers that her husband is a collaborator with the Japanese.
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Inside the Forbidden City
Title: Inside the Forbidden City
Character: Empress Liu
Released: October 16, 1965
Type: Movie
It seems that Li Zhenfei was once an imperial concubine, who often found herself competing with her rival Madame Liu for the emperor's sole, undivided attention. When Li gives birth to the Emperor's child, the jealous Liu switches the boy with a cat and commands a servant named Kou Zhu to kill the baby. However, Kou Zhu ignores the order and gives the prince-to-be to the emperor's brother, a decision which eventually leads to the boy being adopted by the emperor himself! But as fate would have it, to go along with his new son, the emperor has a new wife as well - Madame Liu! As this strange new family unit is being constructed, poor Li Zhenfei has been confined to the forbidden palace, condemned to never see or speak to her son, the prince. But destiny reunites her with her son, but will this family reunion be a happy one? And will Madame Liu finally be punished for her treachery?
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The Lark
Title: The Lark
Character: Bao's wife
Released: July 28, 1965
Type: Movie
A musical staring Carrie Ku Mei as a singer named Xiaoyun Shi, who comes to Hong Kong after a tour of other Asian countries, hoping to develop her career.
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Sons of the Good Earth
Title: Sons of the Good Earth
Character: Mrs Chang Erh Hu
Released: March 19, 1965
Type: Movie
The year is 1937, just prior to the Japanese invasion of China. Painters Ju Rui and Lao San stumble upon He Hua, a woman sold into the sex industry at a local brothel.
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The Butterfly Chalice
Title: The Butterfly Chalice
Character: Madam Lu
Released: March 10, 1965
Type: Movie
The story revolves around Tian Yu Quan (Chin Feng) who rushes to the aid of an elderly fisherman who is bullied by an arrogant relative of the Qiu Shan ministry. In the heat of the ensuing battle he kills the said man and is hence chased by the district's officials. Trying to use the waterway to shake off his enemies, Yu Quan finds a true friend in the old fisherman's bark-stearing daughter, Hu Feng Lian (Ting Hung) who becomes his loyal accomplice. As symbol for his gratitude, Yu Quan bestows Feng Lian with a Butterfly Chalice to reflect their eternal friendship bond...
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Temple of the Red Lotus
Title: Temple of the Red Lotus
Character: Jin Su Mei, Lian Zhu's aunt
Released: January 10, 1965
Type: Movie
Jimmy Wang Yu plays a young kid who heads off to Dragon Valley to meet the childhood friend who was promised as his bride. When he gets there, he finds that the family of the bride might not be an entirely honest bunch of people though. What is the story behind their feud with the monks at the Temple Of The Red Lotus, for a start?
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The Female Prince
Title: The Female Prince
Character: Madame Hsia
Released: December 10, 1964
Type: Movie
The husband-and-wife team of Ivy Ling Po and Chin Han returned to another Huangmei Opera classic after Lady General Hua Mu-Lan. Helmed by Chow Sze-loke and written by Chang Cheh, the story revolved around two intellectual siblings, Ching Feng-sheng (Chin Feng) and Ching Feng-hsiao (Ivy Ling Po), who were constantly abused by their stepmother Hsia (Kao Pao-shu). Feng-hsiao was engaged to Li Ru-lung (Chin Han) since birth, but the greedy Hsia forced him to forfeit the marriage. When Ru-lung refused, Hsia framed him for thievery and put him behind bars. To rescue her lover, Feng-hsiao dressed as a young man and went to the capital. She then used Ru-lung's name to enter the national exam and was ranked first place. Impressed by Feng-hsiao, the Emperor decided to let her wed the Princess (Fang Ying). On the wedding night, Feng-hsiao revealed the truth to the Princess...
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The Story of Sue San
Title: The Story of Sue San
Character: Madam Pi
Released: September 30, 1964
Type: Movie
This gripping story centers on the romance between Wang Chin Lung and Sue San. Although they may be perfectly matched when it comes to their love for one other, the two come from remarkably different social ranks. While Chin Lung is the son of a respected government official, Su San is a prostitute, albeit a famous one.
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Comedy of Mismatches
Title: Comedy of Mismatches
Character: Weiliang's mother
Released: May 14, 1964
Type: Movie
Comedy of Mismatches begins with widow Sun who single-handedly raises her son Yu Lang (Chin Feng) and daughter Zhu Yi (Li Hsiang Chun). One day, Mother Sun sends her children to the temple, where Yu Lang encounters Hui Niang (Pat Ting). Artist Xu Ya is also at the temple, praying that his daughter Wen Gu (Carrie Ku) will find a good husband. Soon after, Wen Gu encounters nobleman's son Pei Zheng (Wai Mao) and the two fall in love at first sight.
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The Coin
Title: The Coin
Released: March 25, 1964
Type: Movie
1963 film
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The Dancing Millionairess
Title: The Dancing Millionairess
Character: Mrs. Sun
Released: February 12, 1964
Type: Movie
Chen Hou is a chauffeur who gets caught in a mistaken identity scandal linking him to businesswoman Lok Dai. Chen was supposed to audition for a job as her chauffeur, but a proposed musical show is far more attractive to the aspiring dancer. When a rumor gets out that the two are involved in an affair, she's angry and confronts him, but his charms overwhelm her, and it's revealed that she too desires to dance. Soon she's bankrolling the affair, the sets are being built, and the singing and dancing begin!
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Between Tears and Smiles
Title: Between Tears and Smiles
Character: Mrs. Tao
Released: January 17, 1964
Type: Movie
Fan Chia-soo is a kind-hearted student whose heart is captured by the sweet song of Shen Feng-hsien. However, he is not the only one who has eyes for Shen. The General's henchmen are also determined to present the songstress to their superior as a gift. Fan received help from an unexpected quarter to save the woman he loves.
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Three Sinners
Title: Three Sinners
Character: Yi Li-Chiao
Released: November 23, 1963
Type: Movie
Based on one particular storyline from The Water Margin, Three Sinners weaves an intriguing story of romance, treachery, and death, all within the context of the traditional Huangmei Opera. Yan Jun casts his real-life wife, the elegant Li Li Hua, star of such Shaw Brothers films as The Goddess of Mercy and Vermillion Door, as one of the title characters, a woman who finds herself in the middle of a stormy love triangle involving her controlling husband (director Yan Jun serving double duty in a starring role) and a passionate lover (Chen Yan Yan).
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The Adulteress
Title: The Adulteress
Character: Magistrate Liu's wife
Released: August 8, 1963
Type: Movie
The noted actress Li Li-hua, star of more than sixty films since 1947, beautifully portrays the drugged, then disgraced wife of a peddler in the waning days of the Ching Dynasty. To make matters worse, she’s soon framed for her husband’s murder by her rapist - the son of the local magistrate! And even that isn’t the end of her woes. It’s best to have a box of tissues nearby as two expert directors ratchet up the emotional suspense in this consummate tearjerker.
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Return of the Phoenix
Title: Return of the Phoenix
Character: Mrs. Cheng
Released: July 24, 1963
Type: Movie
Return Of The Phoenix is yet another masterpiece from prolific director Li Han-hsiang. An imperial minister Cheng Pu (Ching Miao) is faced with a quandary. He's getting old and his daughters are still not married. Elder daughter Shueh-yeh (Elizabeth Chuang) is so ugly no one wants her. Younger daughter Shueh-wu (Li Hsiang-chun) is beautiful but Mrs Cheng refuses to let her marry before her elder sister. The drama unfolds when Cheng decides to marry Shueh-wu off.
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Bitter Sweet
Title: Bitter Sweet
Released: July 10, 1963
Type: Movie
A widow of four gave up two of her children to be raised by an uncle in Singapore. Many years later, just when the widow, now a house maid, is feeling contented by good news of her long gone son and daughter, she accidentally runs into his own son, now a lawyer, and ends up being looked down upon by him. It was a story about how traditional Chinese family and its value was impacted by the change of time. The movie depicted Macau in 1945 to Hong Kong in the mid-60s, moving from poverty after WWII to opulence. The human relationships became complicated and fragile. Many elements uniquely "Hong Kong", such as upper class Chinese, western religions, English speaking and a mixed-culture society are used to contrast the traditional, kind, enduring and forgiving love of a mother.
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Empress Wu
Title: Empress Wu
Character: Lady Shang Kuan
Released: June 23, 1963
Type: Movie
The renowned Li Li Hua plays Wu Ze Tian, the most famous woman in China's four thousand year history.
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The Love Eterne
Title: The Love Eterne
Character: Ms. Meng
Released: April 3, 1963
Type: Movie
In this dreamy romance set in China during the fourth-century, a young woman convinces her parents to allow her to dress as a boy and attend university.
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Stranger Than Fiction
Title: Stranger Than Fiction
Released: February 14, 1963
Type: Movie
A Shaw Brothers comedy starring Peter Chen Ho and Grace Ting Ning.
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Love Parade
Title: Love Parade
Character: Lady Snow
Released: January 21, 1963
Type: Movie
The winning couple of Linda Lin Dai and Peter Chen Hu light up the screen in the delightful Shaw Brothers musical Love Parade. The manager of a dance company places a personal ad in the newspaper. He receives a response but has no idea the woman is his top dancer, with whom he has an antagonistic relationship.
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The Tryst
Title: The Tryst
Character: Mrs. Han
Released: November 8, 1962
Type: Movie
A Shaw Brothers comedy starring Peter Chen Ho and Pat Ting Hung.
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The Dream of the Red Chamber
Title: The Dream of the Red Chamber
Character: Elder brother's wife Wang Xifeng
Released: August 2, 1962
Type: Movie
The Ching Dynasty novel The Dream of The Red Chamber is not only the most widely read, but also the most filmed book in Chinese history. The sprawling love story has proven a challenge to many filmmakers, but this version is acclaimed as the most successful. A sumptuous feature which took three years of planning and another for production, it was a hugely popular and critical hit which still stands out as a classic of both 18th century literature and 1960s moviemaking.
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When the Poles Meet
Title: When the Poles Meet
Released: November 29, 1961
Type: Movie
A Shaw Brothers romantic comedy starring Peter Chen Ho and Patricia Lam Fung.
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Love Without End
Title: Love Without End
Character: Meng Li
Released: October 12, 1961
Type: Movie
Li Qingqing, an orphan, just arrives in Hong Kong and becomes a singer who sacrifices everything for her man.
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Oh Boys! Oh Girls!
Title: Oh Boys! Oh Girls!
Released: May 12, 1961
Type: Movie
A Shaw Brothers comedy starring Margaret Tu Chuan and Paul Chang Chung,
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Les Belles
Title: Les Belles
Character: Mrs Ma
Released: February 25, 1961
Type: Movie
Linda Lin Dai and Fanny Fan join the dancing troupe of Kao Pao-shu. Linda and Kao's son Peter Chen, manager of the troupe, have misunderstandings and dislike each other.
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How to Marry a Millionaire
Title: How to Marry a Millionaire
Released: August 5, 1960
Type: Movie
A Shaw Brothers romantic comedy starring Margaret Tu Chuan and Peter Chen Ho.
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Twilight Hours
Title: Twilight Hours
Released: April 14, 1960
Type: Movie
A drama by the Shaw Brothers studio.
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The Girl with a Thousand Faces
Title: The Girl with a Thousand Faces
Character: Mei Ju-Ming
Released: November 19, 1959
Type: Movie
Gu Lingxiu's dream of becoming an actress is opposed by her grandmother. Her father Zhongqi remains ambivalent. Years ago, Zhongqi was in love with a Peking opera diva Hua Yanhong, but the lovers were separated by the matriarch. Regretful of the mistake, the matriarch discards her prejudice and allows Lingxiu to pursue her career. She also urges Zhongqi to look for Hua.
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Where Is My Bride?
Title: Where Is My Bride?
Character: Aunt Zhang
Released: December 18, 1958
Type: Movie
A Shaw Brothers romantic drama
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The Frosty Night
Title: The Frosty Night
Released: July 4, 1957
Type: Movie
Loosely based on Maxim Gorky's The Lower Depths
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Corpse-Drivers of Xiangxi
Title: Corpse-Drivers of Xiangxi
Character: Yu Wa's Mother
Released: May 10, 1957
Type: Movie
Hong Kong horror.
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Black Tulip
Title: Black Tulip
Released: November 30, 1956
Type: Movie
Black Tulip
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Rainstorm in Chinatown
Title: Rainstorm in Chinatown
Character: Hsiao Yan
Released: September 18, 1956
Type: Movie
Jiang Lizhen's husband, Wang Gensheng, went to Nanyang to make a living. After ten years of separation, there was no news. Jane took her daughter to find her husband, but found out that she was born into a wealthy family.
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A Lonely Heart
Title: A Lonely Heart
Character: Wet nurse
Released: April 13, 1956
Type: Movie
A Shaw and Sons production.
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The Serpent and the Lovers
Title: The Serpent and the Lovers
Character: Mother Bai
Released: January 1, 1956
Type: Movie
It was shot in year 1956 but only released in year 1961 Hong Kong-Thailand-Japan co-production.
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Heart Break Well
Title: Heart Break Well
Released: December 31, 1955
Type: Movie
The eldest daughter of an elderly couple, murders her lover and goes to jail. The youngest daughter, Yin Ni, is taken to her hometown to escape the scandal. While there, Yin Ni becomes involved with a painter, Xu Liang, and tragedy also falls upon her...
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Happy Encounter
Title: Happy Encounter
Released: June 12, 1952
Type: Movie
An early Drama by the Daai Wa (Da Hua) Film Company
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The Thirteen That Go Astray
Title: The Thirteen That Go Astray
Character: Ah Jin
Released: January 1, 1951
Type: Movie
No known plot
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雙雄奪美
Title: 雙雄奪美
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie