Cathay: The Other Tiger

Cathay (or The Motion Picture & General Investment Co.) made a huge variety of films, but specialised in romances, comedies, family dramas & musicals.

The Cathay Organization studios in Hong Kong produced more than 240 mandarin language films between 1956 and 1974, and their films rivalled those of Shaw Brothers - although the studio, unjustly, is far less known in the West. Cathay was much less glitzy, better known for its actresses than its actors, concerned with the effects of post-WWII modernity on traditional values, and produced films with a softer edge.

Cathay delegate to 'The Sixth Film Festival in Asia'.

The studio nurtured a stable of actresses who were the great screen icons of their time, including the toothy singer Grace Chang (featured in one of the all-time Hong Kong favourites, Mambo Girl), and the flashing-eyed Jeanette Lin (superb as the tom-boy daughter in Our Sister Hedy and Sister Long Legs). In contrast to the Shaw Brothers' stagier, blockier productions, Cathay's great femme-centred ensemble pieces, such as Our Sister Hedy, are remarkable for their naturalness.

Grace Chang (center) in 'Mambo Girl'.

Cathay also produced numerous significant films within the dominant Hong Kong genre - the martial arts film - including several groundbreaking, spectacular classics: Escorts over Tiger Hills, with its impressive arsenal of cinematic effects; The First Sword, with its feisty female lead, Melinda Chen; & what is widely considered to be the 1st modern kung-fu film, From the Highway. This season, specially imported from Cathay, provides a timely introduction to one of the seminal influences on modern Asian cinema.

May 28 - 7:00pm

Mambo Girl

Yi Wen (1957) 92 mins

From its opening shot of Grace Chang’s mambo-dancing feet, this is a joyous, immensely charming & occasionally dark portrayal of post-war Hong Kong & the effects of social change, shifting family relationships & international cultural influences on more traditional values & responsibilities. The luminous Chang became one of Asian cinema’s superstars after this film’s success & established a long-running partnership with co-star Peter Chen Hou. A fascinating time-capsule of ‘50s Asian modernity, Stephen Teo called it “Hong Kong cinema’s first musical masterpiece”.

Print courtesy of Cathay.

May 28 - 8:45pm

Escorts Over Tiger Hills

Wang Xinglei (1969) 95 mins

An ex-guerrilla fighter, turned monk must return to duty for 1 final mission & escort a convoy of Tartar prisoners through enemy territory. Hugely influenced by King Hu, this is one of only a relatively small number of martial arts films made by Cathay but its impressive arsenal of flash cuts, freeze-frames, tracking shots & kinetic martial arts choreography by the celebrated Han Ying Chieh, thrills the senses with its awesome display of cinematic mastery.

Print courtesy of Cathay.

June 4 - 7:00pm

Our Dream Car

Evan Yang (1959) 100 mins

Grace Chang (Mambo Girl) and Chang Yang star as a couple of newlyweds who struggle hard to acquire the latest symbol of middle-class affluence: a motor car, only to find themselves in a series of alienating situations.

Programme replacement for "Our Sister Hedy"

Print courtesy of Cathay.

June 4 - 9:10pm

Sister Long Legs

Tang Huang (1960) 100 mins

Much to the dismay of her parents, Tingting (Julie Yeh Feng) is in love with a car mechanic. A more appealing alternative comes in the form of an heir to a soap empire who takes an interest in their daughter, sparking attempts to dampen Tingting’s affection for her working-class hero. This charming tale of star-crossed lovers is an enduring favourite of Hong Kong audiences & a snapshot of the cultural influences of the West on the country’s emerging middle class

Print courtesy of Cathay.

June 11 - 7:00pm

The First Sword

Tu Guangqi (1967) 83 mins

Adapted from his own novel, Tu’s 1st directorial effort - in which a beautiful swordswoman (Melinda Chen Manling) must save her poisoned master ­- is moody, atmospheric & packed with genre elements like booby-traps, deadly rays, clan conflict & intrigue. Cathay was slow to pick up on the wuxia craze (martial swordfighting epics) &, much like a battling clans plotline, had lost ground to Shaw Brothers, their arch-rivals. This film was Cathay’s 1st return parry & helped establish the xia nu (swordswoman) sub-genre.

Print courtesy of Cathay.

June 11 - 8:40pm

From the Highway

Zhang Zengze (1970) 96 mins

Often discussed as the 1st modern kung-fu film, this is an historical action epic set in windswept northern China during the early republican era at the turn of the 20th century. A lawless & changing world is ravaged by a rampaging bandit horde until a lone stranger (Yang Qun) bent on revenge emerges on the seen. Like many Cathay films, Zhang’s wonderfully rendered opus is concerned with & reflects the rise of modernity, documenting the appearance of nickelodeons & new weaponry while showing the shift from wu xia to unarmed combat.

Print courtesy of Cathay.

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