Chai Kai
(Chan Chai-Kai)
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Biography
Known as the "Lee Van Cleef" (who starred as the "Gunfighter" in the Stranger & The Gunfighter with Shaw veteran Lo Lieh and also The Master television series that ran on NBC in the early 80's) of the kung-fu world, he is another masterful kicker. Originally from Taiwan, this menacing leg-fighter can really get down when given the chance (which was not that often) and could hold his own with most of the genre's top fighters. I, initially, remember him in Mar's Villa, working with John Liu and Tung Wei in a film, that had everyone doing some interesting legwork.
In Dance Of Death he got to take on screen-queen Angela Mao in one of his better outings. But, one of the films that showcased his abilities was in the obscure Of Cooks & Kung Fu, where he put on a dazzling array of kicks. A skilled technician, he was also called upon to help out with choreography in a lot of the films that he starred in. A good character actor who can usually spice up any good fight scene, he was awesome in the excellent Fearless Young Boxer.
In Dance Of Death he got to take on screen-queen Angela Mao in one of his better outings. But, one of the films that showcased his abilities was in the obscure Of Cooks & Kung Fu, where he put on a dazzling array of kicks. A skilled technician, he was also called upon to help out with choreography in a lot of the films that he starred in. A good character actor who can usually spice up any good fight scene, he was awesome in the excellent Fearless Young Boxer.
In 7 Steps Of Kung Fu, he schooled Cheng Tien-Chi in the finer points of kicking, before they took on Chang Shan (who was more than a handful). A lot of these films gave him more screen-time than he normally got in the bit parts that he's played throughout his career. 2 Assassins Of The Darkness and 10 Brothers Of Shaolin are examples of cameo roles, where he stood out, but didn't give outstanding performances. A very gifted screen-fighter, he was just as at home doing stunt work, as he was helping with choreography.