Biography
While he wasn't a major star, along the lines on Carter Wong or Tan Tao-Liang -- as far as most kung-fu fans are concerned, he became a star just the same [eventually] achieving something, many kung-fu stars dreamed of. He toiled in a number of films before becoming a recognizable and bankable star. Where most look for speed and power, his makeup was (mostly) daring and consistency. Not that he wasn't fast, because he was, but for those who only saw the 70's as the Ti Lung and the David Chiang era, would surely miss-the-boat. He just didn't have that [dynamic] presence that the others had, so many took his skills for granted. With good showings in the film Chew Chao Guy, he would later move on to such notable films as Chase Step By Step, (with co-star Hsu Feng).
My personal favorites, would include - Golden Mask and Green Jade Statuette -- where he went around spouting his famous line, "Even the Dead, love Roses" - next thing you knew, he was getting a rose. Not saying that he didn't make some bombs, because he did (didn't they all, at one time or another?) and most of those can be found on the "Saturn" label (so watch out). Most were shocked, when he starred in the film Shaolin Kung Fu Master -- where (2) of kung-fu’s top stars - Chi Kuan-Chun and Wang Tao (appearing in cameo parts), stayed around, just long enough to get killed off.
My personal favorites, would include - Golden Mask and Green Jade Statuette -- where he went around spouting his famous line, "Even the Dead, love Roses" - next thing you knew, he was getting a rose. Not saying that he didn't make some bombs, because he did (didn't they all, at one time or another?) and most of those can be found on the "Saturn" label (so watch out). Most were shocked, when he starred in the film Shaolin Kung Fu Master -- where (2) of kung-fu’s top stars - Chi Kuan-Chun and Wang Tao (appearing in cameo parts), stayed around, just long enough to get killed off.
Stardom didn't really evade him, he's won a Golden Horse (Oscar) for the film - White Jasmine and was a heart-throb to a lot of women. He always seemed to be more of a Romantic leading man, than a "Hard-hitting" kung-fu star. In films like Marvelous Stunts Of Kung Fu and Cute Foster Sister he showed he had a tough exterior and what it took to be one of kung-fu's top stars. Yet, in most of his films, he always looked more dashing, than deadly -- which made it look as though, he wasn't quite suited for fierce-fighting roles.
In such standout roles as The Wandering Dragon, 2 Dragons Fight Against Tiger, and The Lady Constables, he's given some pretty good performances. While, a lot of his films were filled with "Special-effects" -- [but] not to the point of being ridiculous. Land Of Big Flying Eagles, seemed to be the type of role he could excel in [yet], when Modern films became the norm, he seemed to adjust very well. I think women found him [much] more appealing in a suit, than a kung-fu outfit.