Barry Chan
(Wei Tze-Yung) /
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Biography
He came out around that infamous period when everyone who wore "Lee-like" sunglasses, thought they could fit into his kung-fu slippers and become the next big thing in Hong Kong. A plastic actor who’s acting really suffered, yet he seemed to do okay in certain films (Chinese Mechanic and The Brave Lion). He just didn’t have what it took, to be a full-fledged kung-fu star [yet] he toiled away in countless films, trying to establish himself, as a contender (to Lee’s throne).
His career began at Shaw Brothers, where he was just another basic actor, trying to make a living. He mainly appeared in ever genre but Martial Arts and only started then - because after (1970) - it had became popular. Films like The Merry Wife, Ripples, and A Place To Call Home - wouldn't do anything to raise his profile and you couldn't tell him, from any other Shaw actor. His appearance in Shaw’s The Black Tavern, could have been played by anyone.
Under the direction of the great Joseph Kuo, was where he first started to get noticed and he began to do much better work. I found his talents were totally wasted, in the film - Fists Of Vengeance, as it was such a small part. Though he had potential (he), like many others, was just filling a void, until better martial-artists came upon the scene, offering much more range. He possessed no real standout talent (kicks, punches, movement) and he still managed get Internationally noticed, since Hong Kong was shipping these movies to the United States (weekly).
The film - The Dragon's Vengeance, had him billed as the successor to Bruce Lee and was one of his most popular roles. I thought he did a pretty good job in Mantis Combat, but he should have had a much bigger role here, as well. As with most actors who set out to fill others' shoes, he found out just how much pressure people would put on him, to fail, rather than succeed. During this time, Lee's memory was treat like a National Treasure. Most didn't want his memory (or his image) to be tarnished, by someone imitating him. To this day, his legend is still intact, while stars like Barry, are all but a memory.
I liked him in Swift Shaolin Boxer (1978), where he played the lead hero. This film is probably the only one that I can remember that uses virtually, every known music excerpt from some Taiwan's best known kung-fu movies.