Lai-Zhen Yu
余麗珍
Born1923 (1923)
Guangdong, China
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

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

Career

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

  • An Agnostic and Sagacious Intercession[4]
  • The God's Story[5][6]
  • Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice (debut opposite Sun Ma Sze Tsang) [7]
  • The Crab Beauty (Fantasy)[8]
  • The Skeleton Tower under the Sea (Fantasy)[9]

Filmography

Films

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[10] (See Yang Paifeng)
  • 1963 The Prince Becomes a Monk[11]
  • 1967 The Plot (aka Teaching the Son to Slay the Emperor, Revenge of the Prince) - Cuckoo, Lau's wife.[12]

Personal life

Yu's husband was Lee Siu-wan,[13] 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.[14]

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

Discography

  • CR-2063, Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice

References

  1. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 Stokes, Lisa Odham (2020). Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema. Scarecrow Press. pp. 563–564. ISBN 9781538120620. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "Yu Lai-Zhen". hkmdb.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  4. ↑ Google book search 英雄碧血洗情仇 1954年7月5日
  5. ↑ Chinese: 「新萬象劇團」《新封神榜》主題曲「此夜魂歸淚未乾」
  6. ↑ 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 。)
  7. ↑ Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
  8. ↑ 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
  9. ↑ 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
  10. ↑ "The Maid Who led an Expedition to conquer the West". lcsd.gov.hk. 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "The Prince Becomes a Monk". hkmdb.com. 20 February 1963. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  12. ↑ "Film Screenings - Teaching the Son to Slay the Emperor (aka The Plot)". lcsd.gov.hk. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  13. ↑ Lee Siu-wan at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
  14. ↑ The Kung Sheung Daily News, 18 May 1972, Page 10.
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