Chang Cheh's Favorites-2




Chiang Sheng - Also discovered when Chang setup his film company in Taiwan. This was where he, Lu Feng, and Kuo Chui, Sun Chien, and Lo Mang joined "Chang's Film" company. They would all become a part of his last team of successful actors, later known as the "Venoms". He was the most playful of the group and the one who was most interested in the art of film-making and camera work (another was actor, later turned director - Robert Tai). He was the only acrobat in this group and was more adept with weapons. Along with Lu Feng, he would work with the director more closely than any of the other Taiwanese actors. They worked with him even after the close of Shaw studios, helping him with his directing and film work.

Chang liked him because of his spirit. If you look at the way he acts in the films he's played, you'll see his characters are just like the ones that Fu Sheng played (only not as heroic in nature). He's always the "rascal" (Shaolin Temple sticking his tongue at behind the monks back) or some type of mischievous character proding/teasing others into fighting (Crippled Avengers, Invimcible Shaolin). The roles that Chang gave him in his films could have easily been written for Fu Sheng. Even the outfit he wore in "Invincible Shaolin" matched that of Fu Shengs's character in Life's Gambles. He would star in Magnificent Wanderers, along with (Fu Sheng, David Chiang, and Chi Kuan-Chun) the standouts of their previous film - "Shaolin Temple".

He, too, would play martyr as Fu Sheng did in countless films, eventually dying before the end of the film. This is where these two really were similiar, as both would normally die a "Heroic" death as their testimony of greatness in their films. Heroes that died were basically remembered always, as their deeds were the last things people remembered them for. Director Chang seemed to make sure that regardless of the films they played in, that by the last reel, you'd walk away remembering their performances.

He died in 1991, as a result of depression, brought on by excessive drinking. While in Hong Kong, he was just short of Superstar status as a part of the Venoms, yet, living in Taiwan, he was just another struggling actor. The limelight had faded and virtually everyone he'd worked with before was in Hong Kong and making the switch to "New Wave" productions. It was reported that his friend Cheng Tien-Chi found his body after he didn't hear from him and went to check on him. He had been dead for about (3) days when he was found.

His Strong Points

Death Scenes

Chiang Sheng & Fu Sheng






Chang Cheh - As Shaw's most successful director of kung-fu films, he made the studio a great deal of money with the film One-Armed Swordsman starring (his then, number one star) Jimmy Wang-Yu. When he set up his own film company in Taiwan, it was to he both the studio and himself (financially). He had free reign to make the films that he wanted to make with no interference from the main branch. While in Taiwan he hired alot of raw talent and would eventually bring some of the back to Shaw studios with him. He had a way of nuturing talent and molding them in a way to get the most from them. Those that knew his background as a director, couldn't wait for the chance to audition for roles in his films. His (2) main stars at this time would be Fu Sheng and Chi Kuan-Chun.

Liking he potential and ambition that he saw in them, Chang Cheh would began casting them in films together along with his other star actors - David Chiang and Ti Lung. "ShaolinFilms" were the most popular at this time (early-mid 70's) and these two seemed to click like his first duo had. After David and Ti Lung, they were Shaw Bros' best kung-fu duo. The series of films that they starred in together were mostly classics that dealt with the "Shaolin Temple", which became an integral part of the genre's existance. Choreographer, later turned director, Liu Chia-Liang was very instrumental in this part of the genre's movement. A "4th descendant" of the great Wong Fei-Hung, he infused authentic movements and forms, along with historical facts while keeping the story-telling accurate.

As with some directors, he was very selective of the people he chose and once he had a good working relationship with them, there was no tellig how far they could go. Yet, he wanted his actors to work exclusively with him and no outside directors. But, when Liu Chia-Liang left his company, because of creative differences, he had to find others to choreograph his films (especially, since Tang Chia had left before Liu). When Liu started directing films himself and vowed to show his version of authentic kung-fu, Chang basically, wrote him off. But, when he started winning praise for his films, back at Shaw Bros', Chang dominance was no longer supreme at the studio.

Yet, when some of his top stars took jobs on Liu's films, it was insulting to Chang. Fu Sheng had the lead role in Spiritual Boxer written specifically for him, but didn't take it back of Chang's scheduling of his films to coincide with Liu's. David Chiang, was getting lost in the shuffle because Chang was giving all the plum roles to Fu Sheng, so when he took the lead in Shaolin Mantis, director Chang basically shunned him afterwards. The same fate would eventually happen to Fu Sheng after his numerous accidents while working with other directors.

After these incidents, he put his energies into developing his "Venoms" group full-time. They were basically self-sufficient, handling the choreography amongst themselves, there was no need to spend money on choreographers. He had also schooled them on the finer points of Camera-work, that he could tell them what he wanted and and they had free reign to do it (this is where the stories of the director "sleeping" while others filmed his movies for him). The door was open for them to dominate the kung-fu scene at Shaw Brothers, which they almost did for (4) years. After the success of their film 5 Deadly Venoms, they were on a roll at the studio.

With each film they made, they seemed to become more and more successful. Once again, Chang was riding the wave of success at the studio thanks to his new group of actors. With films like Crippled Avengers, Kid with the Golden Arm, and Invincible Shaolin, these guys were now studio favorites. Their dominance would go on for about (5) years, before creative differences would push them apart. Only one would appear in Chang's Super Ninjas, while three of the others would go off and make their a similiar version of this film entitled Ninja in the Deadly Trap (complete with the same opening sequence as Chang's film).

All (4) Actors

The Favorite

Without a doubt, his favorite performer out of all of them would have to be "Fu Sheng". He paired him with all the stars in his stable - David Chiang (Friends), Ti lung (10 Tigers of Kwangtung), Chen Kuan-Tai (Heroes 2), Wang Chung (Police Force), Chi Kuan-Chun (Disciples from Shaolin), and The Venoms (Life's Gambles). He was such a likeable star that it was easy to make a film with him. Easily, one of Shaw Bros' top stars, fans around the world seem to mourn his death like they do Bruce Lee's every July.

And like Lee, he died at an early age, which only helped to secure his star-status (and his memory) for eternity. Director Chang immortalized him on film and basically taught him the business and helped him secure his place among legends. His boyish charms, whether they annoyed you or not, drew you in and made you recognize (and appreciate) him as an actor. His performances as an actor let us see just how dedicated he was. And, though he died young, his memory (and his work) has endured for decades, as he was a very intriguing person (on and off the screen).

Part 1 

Home  I  Sitemap  I  Movie List  I  Biographies  I  Search  I  FAQs  I 

Contact Info
© Beijing Video. All rights reserved.