From International Screen No. 42 (April, 1959)
This post goes out to YTSL, who made a special request for something about the sultry Julie Yeh Feng. Here's an article from International Screen No. 29 (March, 1958), published a few months after Julie's debut in Our Sister Hedy (1957). You can view the original article here.
Yeh Fung, Kim Novak and Bai Kwong
Movie fans in these parts have crowned Yeh Fung, screenland's new siren, who is fast skyrocketing to fame, with the nickname "Kim Novak of the East". This moniker is quite fitting, seeing that both of them are tall, slim, bewitchingly beautiful and have that extra something sometimes known as "innate sex appeal". Besides, both are comparatively new comers. As this appears in print, only one of Yeh Fung's pictures, "My Sister Hedy", has been shown. The other two vehicles of hers, "Air Hostesses" and "The Wayward Husband", have yet to have their premieres. And yet she has already left a deep impression on movie fans.
Others have called Miss Yeh "Bai Kwong the Second" — Miss Bai is, of course, Mandarin movieland's best known "sexy wanton". Yeh Fung possesses Bai Kwong's low and magnetic voice and unique singing style. What's more, both appear lackadaisical but really emit some indescribable flame which well nigh hypnotizes people within their range of fire.
But when one asks Miss Yeh what she thinks of these nicknames, her answer is short, straightforward and to the point: "I am just myself." She is just that kind of girl, entirely without false modesty or pride. She is but natural.
In the near future, movie-goers will see more of her personality as she so ably projects it on the screen. They are going to like it.
You can definitely feel the heat of Yeh Feng's "indescribable flame" in the following clip from Our Sister Hedy. If after watching it, you find yourself tantalized, don't resist — go and order a copy of this truly classic film while you still can. The DVD is out of stock and no longer available at many retailers, but HMV Hong Kong still has copies!
8 comments:
Hi Durian Dave --
Thanks for the Julie Yeh Feng post and dedication. Also, nice clip but must my nomination for most sizzling Yeh Feng on screen moment is that bit -- was it in "Our Sister Hedy" or "Sister Long Legs"? (Sorry but she plays such similar characters in those two movies!) -- when she's shown uncurling herself to get up from a prone position like a cat... ;b
You're welcome, YTSL! I don't quite remember that scene, but it will make for a good excuse to revisit both of those films. :)
Hey YTSL, I believe that scene was from "Our Sister Hedy" or the sequel"Wedding Bells for Hedy".She played a glamour puss/femme fatale like sister in those two movies.In "Sister Long Legs", she was wearing glasses and a little nerdy in outlook.Julie was my favourite actress/singer of that golden era of the Chinese cinema.She was an all rounder, her beauty, her style, her acting as well as her singing skills are unrivalled.
Julie is a favorite of mine too, and she really is a great singer. I love her mellow voice!
Hi oldflames --
Hmmm... Julie Yeh Feng may have been wearing glasses in "Sister Long Legs" but I think her attractiveness still shone through nonetheless! ;b
You'll have no argument with me, YTSL! I for one happy to really like Yeh Feng with glasses.
As a whole, nice postings on Julie Yeh Feng! I recently reviewed her last Shaw film (FAREWELL, MY LOVE) on my blog. You info on Julie helped flesh it out, and I gave you credit where was due. Thanks!
FML is also the FIRST film I've seen of hers! She doesn't look like she does in the old pin-ups, but she is quite likable and attractive, even with the hair and clothes of the time! Her acting surpassed the quality of the script!
Actually, the WHOLE CAST was better than the derivative story!
Hi Fang! Glad to hear you've made the acquaintance of Yeh Feng. The films she made at Cathay were definitely her heyday, but she was still fabulous during her tenure at Shaw Brothers. If you're curious to see more of her, I think you might like The Warlord and the Actress (1964), a fun Republican-era adventure drama directed by Ho Meng-hua.
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