Zen and Sense in King Hu's Films

Film Screenings


Spring Appears

Dir: Ng Wui Scrs: Cheng Kang, Fuk Sum
Prod: Ho Khee-siang Prod Co.: Kong Ngee
Cast: Patrick Tse Yin, Patsy Kar Ling, Kong Suet, Chow Chung, Ha Wai
1963 / B&W / D Beta / Cantonese / 109min

A continuation of the sub-genre of the 1960s urban comedy inaugurated by Chun Kim’s renowned work, My Intimate Partners (1960), this film recounts the story of Ng Lap-bun (Patrick Tse Yin), a down-and-out bachelor who pretends to be a rich guy in order to woo Cheung Ying (Ha Wai), a banker’s daughter. Wu accidentally ends up pursuing Cheung’s nurse (Patsy Kar Ling). Hoping to improve her family’s financial situation, the nurse decides to make the best of the mistake by pretending to be Cheung. Hence a love trap is unfolded. This is an undisputedly entertaining comedy with vivid characters. Ng’s smart-aleckiness, the nurse’s sense of inferiority, and the simplicity of Ng’s cousin are all successfully conveyed. This film has inspired many HK-made comedies in the 1980s and 1990s, especially its storyline (an unlucky guy pretending to be a rich boy) and characterisation (the archetype of an ultradiplomatic woman chaser). Seen in this light, the script by Cheng Kang and Fuk Sum can be said to be quite pioneering.

31/5 (Sat) 8:15pm Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive  

27/6 (Fri) 7:30pm Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive  

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