Cheng Pei-Pei
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Biography
Originally, the first "Queen of Swordplay" films, she still has legions of fans around the world. As most female martial-arts stars, she started out in Ballet studying in Shanghai. Recruited by Shaw Bros' in the mid 60's, she was groomed to work in virtually every genre possible. Films like Lover's Rock, Song Of Orchid Island, Lotus Lamp, and The Joys Of Spring -- only confirmed her talent as an (up & coming) actress. She caught the eye of veteran director King Hu, who cast her in the film Come Drink With Me. This film set the stage for a career as a "Swordswoman" in a field dominated by men.
She became so popular in these swordplay films, that she (often) overshadowed, her male counterparts. She became an International star with the release of Golden Swallow and one of Shaw Bros' most popular stars. Growing up, I remembered her in the Golden Harvest film, The Attack Of The Kung Fu Girl, and the movie just seemed to stay on my mind (until I located it). Looking back, her Swordplay films were some of the better ones put out by Shaw studios, because she was so graceful. She had studied Ballet for years, and she had numerous opportunities to use that nimbleness and agility, within the confines of the films she appeared in.
Films like the Jade Raksha and Lady Of Steel, were true classics. I have yet to see, a woman wield a sword like her, even her successor Shih Szu, didn't capture the type of appeal, that she had during her reign at Shaw Brothers. Always doing what was asked of her (except extreme stunts), she looked beautiful, throughout all the bloodshed (not always an easy task). She starred in a number of films and in many genres, as well. She was one of the premire actresses at the studio, and was often called on, to help out at various Charity functions and social events. She will forever be remembered as (possibly), the greatest Martial-arts actress of the 1960's.