Soft Film Valentine: Zhuang Xue Fang

Ever since I first laid eyes on Singapore songstress and Hokkien movie queen Zhuang Xue Fang (aka Chong Sit Fong), I was instantly mesmerized by her pixie charm. My buddy Dev Yang has already written an excellent overview of her career on his much missed blog The Golden Age of Chinese Language Cinema, so let me instead simply offer you a small assortment of treats: a pair of photos that exemplify Miss Zhuang's irresistible allure; a rare clip from one of her films; and a trio of 7-inch EPs. Enjoy!

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The following clip shows Zhuang Xue Fang singing her hit song "Making a Mark" (出人頭地) from the self-produced 1962 film Romance at Lung Shan Temple (龍山寺之戀). The film was shot in Taiwan and co-stars Tang Ching and Ling Yun, both of whom would later leave the Taiwan film industry to work for Shaw Brothers in Hong Kong. "Making a Mark" was adapted from the Indonesian song "Ayo Mama" with the lyrics changed to an inspirational (and typically Chinese) appeal to strive hard for success.


 The film is available on DVD (sans English subtitles) at YesAsia.

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Last but not least, here are three 4-song EPs that Zhuang Xue Fang recorded for Ruby Records in (I believe) 1967. You can download the complete collection here.


sample track:
小小寃家 / "Devil Woman" ((LISTEN))
Original by Marty Robbins (1962)


sample track:
昨夜夢見你 / "Send Someone to Love Me" ((LISTEN))
Original by Steve Lawrence (1962)


sample track:
二十里 / "20 Miles" ((LISTEN))
Original by Chubby Checker (1962)

Happy Chinese New Year!

Shaw star Pat Ting Hung on the cover of The Young Companion (Feb. 1958)

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous Year of the Rabbit! I mentioned before that I had some unfinished blog business to wrap up before I finally call it quits. And so, later this month you can look forward to some vinyl delight from Singapore songstress Zhuang Xue Fang and a post about one of Anna May Wong's lost films. In the meantime, why don't you check out the latest episode of Lucky Cat's always entertaining radio podcast or the ear-opening new installment at Antique Shanghai Pop Music devoted to "The Gentleman Singers of Shanghai". See you again soon!