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Lai-Zhen Yu

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Lai-Zhen Yu
余麗珍
Yu in the 1950s
Born1923 (1923)
Died2004 (aged 80–81)
Other namesChiu Lai Jan, Yu Lai-Chun, Yu Lai-jan, Yu Lai-Zhen
Occupation(s)Actress, Cantonese opera singer
Years active1947-1967
Known forCo-founder of Lishi Film Production Company
SpouseLee Siu-wan[1]

Lai-Zhen Yu (Chinese: 余麗珍; 1923–2004) was a former Chinese actress and Cantonese opera singer from Hong Kong. Yu is credited with over 140 films.

Early life

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In 1923, Yu was born in Guangdong, China.[2][3]

Career

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At age 16, Yu performed Cantonese opera. Yu performed Cantonese opera in the United States, South East Asia, and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Yu co-founded Guanghua Opera Troupe. In 1947, Yu crossed over as an actress in Hong Kong films. Yu first appeared in Cuckoo's Spirit in March, a 1947 Drama film directed by Hung Suk-Wan. In 1959, Yu co-founded Lishi Film Production Company. Yu is known for her role as the Headless Queen in Cantonese opera films. In 1968, Yu retired from the film industry.[1]

Yu's last film was The Plot, a 1967 Historical Drama film directed by Wong Hok-Sing. Yu is credited with over 140 films.[2][3]

Repertoire

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Filmography

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Films

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This is a partial list of films.

  • 1947 Cuckoo's Spirit in March [2]
  • 1951 A King Speaks His Heart [2]
  • 1959 The Maid Who led an Expedition to conquer the West[13] (See Yang Paifeng)
  • 1963 The Prince Becomes a Monk[14]
  • 1967 The Plot (aka Teaching the Son to Slay the Emperor, Revenge of the Prince) - Cuckoo, Lau's wife.[15]

Personal life

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Yu's husband was Lee Siu-wan,[16] a writer for films. Within the Cantonese Opera community, Lee was also part of the establishment. He explained at a press conference how applications of new performers for Barwo membership were blocked until weeks before their scheduled (1 July 1972) performances.[17]

After retirement, Yu immigrated to Canada. On 4 March 2004, Yu died.[2][3]

Discography

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  • CR-2063, Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice

References

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  1. ^ a b Yu planned to be back on stage for Lunar New Year, as encouraged by her husband. 29 December 1961 Wah Kiu Yat Po. (Chinese: 余麗珍東山復出計劃在新春起班,香港《華僑日報》,第六張,第一頁。)
  2. ^ a b c d e Stokes, Lisa Odham (2020). Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema. Scarecrow Press. pp. 563–564. ISBN 9781538120620. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Yu Lai-Zhen". hkmdb.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Yu le zhi yin (Amusement news, CUHK Digital Repository) May 26". Hong Kong. May 26, 1953. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Yu le zhi yin (Amusement news, CUHK Digital Repository) July 5". Hong Kong. July 5, 1953. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Yu le zhi yin (Amusement news, CUHK Digital Repository) September 6". Hong Kong. September 6, 1953. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Chinese: 「新萬象劇團」《新封神榜》主題曲「此夜魂歸淚未乾」
  8. ^ 3 August 1953 Performance, seven days, Macau.(Chinese: 文化和旅游部民族民间文艺发展中心《中国戏曲志.澳门卷》,社会科学文献出版社, 2019 。)
  9. ^ Google book search 英雄碧血洗情仇 1954年7月5日
  10. ^ Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
  11. ^ The Crab Beauty(1) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase & The Crab Beauty(2) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase and The ‘biographical notes' of YU Lai-zhen(1923–2004.3.4) PDF
  12. ^ The Skeleton Tower under the Sea(1) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase & The Skeleton Tower under the Sea(2) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
  13. ^ "The Maid Who led an Expedition to conquer the West". lcsd.gov.hk. 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  14. ^ "The Prince Becomes a Monk". hkmdb.com. 20 February 1963. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Film Screenings - Teaching the Son to Slay the Emperor (aka The Plot)". lcsd.gov.hk. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  16. ^ Lee Siu-wan at the Hong Kong Movie Database
  17. ^ The Kung Sheung Daily News, 18 May 1972, Page 10.
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