A Milestone? Really? Okay....

(Time-Life)

I'VE recently found out this blog has been looked at 25,000 times...and counting.

Thank you to all of those who have contributed to making this event possible.

Brother Fang appreciates it!

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

The Prodigal Boxer (1972), starring Meng Fei, Pai Hong, Maggie Lee Lam Lam, Wong Ching and Yasuaki Kurata. Directed by Choi Yeung Ming.

(All images courtesy Warner Home Video, unless noted otherwise.)

ON the surface, The Prodigal Boxer (a.k.a. Kung Fu the Punch of Death) looks and sounds like a typical early '70s "old school" martial arts flick from HK (especially if you watch the version with the English dub, which I did). However, based on what little information is available online about the movie, there's more to it than being a mere 91-minute diversion. It's reported to be "a Shaw [Brothers] independent film" (which may be why there are more than a few Shaw regulars in front of the camera and behind the scenes), and because it depicts the story of the Chinese martial arts hero Fang Shih-yu, it's also linked to Shaw director Chang Cheh's "Shaolin Cycle" series of movies. Further, with a HK release in '72 (the exact date is unknown), it came out roughly over a year before Cheh began developing his first Shaolin feature (Five Shaolin Masters, the first of four Shaolin features to be filmed for '74, but the last to be issued), so circumstantial evidence suggests TPB might have inspired Cheh to undertake the Shaolin pictures. Did it? More on that later.

the crickets

When his cricket is triumphant in a fighting match, Fang Shih-yu (Meng Fei) winds up in a scrap with the sorehead owner of the losing insect. During the short skirmish, Shih-yu accidentally delivers to him a mortal blow, and he dies hours later. As it turns out, the dead man was the top student at a kung fu school run by Iron Fist Tan (Yasuaki Kurata) and his brother (Wong Ching), so the call for vengeance on Shih-yu (with whom they've had trouble previously) is swift. While he's out with friends, Tan and his sibling go searching for him at the Fang residence. Finding his mother (Pai Hong) and his father (Shut-Ma Wa Lung) there, the two thugs decide to go on the offensive anyway, but they succeed in slaying only the old man.

left to right: Meng Fei and Pai Hong

Upon returning, Shih-yu tries to ask his mother who killed his father, but she says nothing, knowing his kung fu is not strong enough for him to take on the brothers. Instead, she whisks him away into seclusion to work on his training, but when he soon finds out the brothers are responsible, he recklessly goes off after them. Of course, Shih-yu is in over his head, but lucky for him, he escapes certain death by the arrival of his mother and the authorities.

left to right: Maggie Lee Lam Lam and Meng Fei

Under the treatment of his mother and Siu Pin (Maggie Lee Lam Lam), a woman he befriended on the night of his father's murder, Shih-yu rebounds from his injuries and resumes his training. Even though his kung fu improves greatly, his mother insists he's not ready yet. He discovers this the hard way when a chance meeting with some of the brothers' students leads him right to the brothers themselves, followed by another round of combat where he's on the receiving end of a thorough beating. 

left to right: Yasuaki Kurata and Wong Ching

Again, Shih-yu goes back into recovery, and this time, in addition to even more training, he also gets the extra benefit of taking prolonged herb baths (lasting for several weeks) which make his skin nearly invulnerable. Once he's fully prepared to confront the brothers, he delivers to them a challenge to duel, which they accept. A last minute complication arises when Shih-yu's mother falls ill, and since he wants her well so she can see the fight, he's forced to endure a little more humiliation from the brothers in order to get the battle postponed for a few days. Fortunately, she gets better swiftly, and before too long, Shih-yu is facing down the scum who murdered his father for (hopefully) the last time....

Meng Fei

Did TPB specifically influence Cheh to create the "Shaolin Cycle?" Not likely; I think action director Lau Kar Leung, with his extensive knowledge of Shaolin martial arts, might be the one most responsible for that. I can imagine a scenario where he pitched the idea to Cheh, who then passed it along to Shaw Brothers, and Shaw, not completely sold on the concept, proposed a "test" film to gauge moviegoers' interest, which became TPB. However it actually got made, TPB was a catalyst in Cheh's undertaking of the Shaolin movies, and the connections it has with Shaw can't be disputed. If you're in doubt, consider how TPB director Choi Yeung Ming went on to co-direct Police Force with Cheh, and star Meng Fei was later cast in Cheh's Five Shaolin Masters. (As fate would have it, those were the only Shaws they worked on.)

left to right: Yasuaki Kurata and Meng Fei

On its own terms, TPB is okay as an "old school" martial arts movie. Ni Kuang's screenplay is straightforward with a linear plot that's not adorned but has sufficient characterization given to the good guys to make you root for them. Choi Yeung Ming's direction is workmanlike with some artistic flourishes and inspired placements of the camera in certain shots. Wong Pau Gei (who doubled as an assistant director) and Lau Kar Wing's fight choreography doesn't lack for energy or intensity, though some of its impact is dimmed by the film editing. The English soundtrack is a bit loud and harsh, but with familiar Shaw vocal actors on duty, it's tolerable. While most of the voices are (inevitably) ill-matched to the performers, the quality of the production is assured enough such quirks (including the translation) don't spoil the viewing experience. If you love "old school," you can't go wrong with TPB; just don't expect a "campy" affair.

How does it stack up to the movies of Cheh's "Shaolin Cycle?" Notably, the story is smaller in scale (focusing on Shih-yu before he entered the Shaolin Temple), the fights keep mostly to the ground and the extent to which women are featured goes contrary to the average Cheh Shaolin feature. To think that frequent Cheh collaborator Kuang wrote this is surprising, low key as it is, but back then, he probably saw it as a "one-shot" picture and wrote it as such, not knowing what lay ahead of him. (Eventually, he would write the majority of scripts for Cheh's Shaolin films.)

Continuing with the comparisons, Meng Fei's portrayal of Shih-yu contrasts greatly with that of Fu Sheng's memorable interpretation for Cheh. Part of this is due to the story, but some of it may relate to his acting experience. (It was his second film.) However, the fact Fei doesn't look and act "larger than life" like Sheng works well within the confines of the movie, making him an ideal choice for playing an underdog. (Not an easy observation to make with that ridiculous English voice he's given.)

Gratuitous picture of Maggie Lee Lam Lam.

As for the rest of the cast, standouts are Pai Hong as Shih-yu's mother, Maggie Lee Lam Lam (Mrs. David Chiang) as Shih-yu's girlfriend and Yasuaki Kurata as Tan, who manages to be menacing without overacting (unlike his "brother," Wong Ching). Within the supporting players, watch for Fung Hak On (in a rare "nice guy" role), Shut-Ma Wa Lung (as Shih-yu's father), Tung Choi Bo, Lau Kueng, Lo Wai, Yeun Cheung Yan and Danny Chow Yun Kin.

(Google images)

My copy of TPB comes from the 2006 Warner Martial Arts Double Feature DVD that combines it with Militant Eagle (1978), and it's also on Warner's 2007 two-disc 4 Film Favorites set, where TPB and ME are joined by  Moonlight Sword and Jade Lion (1977, with Angela Mao) and The Bloody Fists (1972, with Chen Kuan Tai). It's presented in non-anamorphic widescreen with a picture quality that ranges from very good to fair. As already mentioned, the sound on the English dub (the only language option) is noisy with a few moments where the dialogue is hard to decipher, but not enough that you can't keep up with the story. If you can't get your hands on an import version of TPB, the Warner DVD is better than nothing.

THE END

If you want to consider TPB as a companion piece to Cheh's "Shaolin Cycle" like Showdown at the Cotton Mill (1978) is, then alongside that later production, it's a minor offering. If Shih-yu's name was changed, and the bathing in herbs was cut out, the movie would become a routine "revenge" picture redeemed only by decent acting and good action scenes. Otherwise (whether you care anything about the film's history or not), while lacking the polish of better martial arts movies made around the same time, TPB is comparably entertaining and worth a look.

Brother Fang cuts to the chase: "This nearly-forgotten curio in the annals of films with Fang Shih-yu lacks the Shaolin Temple, but it's still fun for what it is. Any Meng Fei fan who doesn't have it yet needs to buy it. Everyone else should either rent or watch on YouTube."

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

P.S.-- Buy The Prodigal Boxer here.

Game Show Photo Essay #2: "In the old days, Jack Paar used to do that all the time."

THE following came from the premiere of Password Plus, originally broadcast on NBC January 8, 1979. Minor edits are inserted into the transcript for the sake of clarity....

(All images courtesy GSN.)

GENE WOOD: It's more than Password, it's Password Plus!

WOOD: Our guest stars, Elizabeth Montgomery and Robert Foxworth!

WOOD: And here's the star of Password Plus, Allen Ludden!

Fast forward to game two....

ALLEN LUDDEN: Okay, we're back!... Got another puzzle up there right now, and this time, we're going to give the words to Sylvia and Bruce. First, to [the home viewers], of course. And Sylvia, you will have the option because [Elizabeth and Bruce] got the [first] puzzle.... What are you going to do, Sylvia? You gonna pass, or you gonna play?

SYLVIA: Oh, I'm going to play!

LUDDEN: Okay, good!

SYLVIA: Cigar!

SYLVIA: Oh, [BLEEP]!

LUDDEN: Gee, that's a good clue, Sylvia!

LUDDEN: Sylvia, it was that second clue that interested me the most!

If I didn't know better, I'd swear she tried to give Robert a third clue.

Here's the real deal for those who are eager to see it play out in full, uploaded to YouTube by "jennings861." (Check out the other two parts if you want to see the complete episode.) She's not actually "bleeped", so pay attention and hear how precisely her remark was cut out by the sound editor. Why this gem of a clip never made it to any of those Game Show Moments Gone Bananas specials hosted by Ben Stein (available on DVD by Mill Creek Entertainment) is mystifying, but as the "Cigar Lady" came in at #11 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the "25 Funniest Game Show Bloopers", it's beginning to get the recognition it deserves.

I always loved it when a PP contestant accidentally spoke the password that was part of the puzzle. (It was even better when Allen did it, and it's been said Bert Convy did so a lot on Super Password, but I think that's an exaggeration.) Such an innocent mistake illustrated how easily people could get wrapped up in the game (and often did), which is the hallmark of any good game show.

Of the celebrities, only Robert Foxworth is still around. As for contestants Bruce and Sylvia, who knows? If they are still alive and prosperous, then I wish them well, especially the good-natured Sylvia, who took  her mistake (and slip of the tongue) in good stride.

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

Singin' To the Music Again

(Sony Music Entertainment/Friday Music)

AS of May 2, the Davy Jones CD The Bell Recordings (1971-72) ranked at #192 on Amazon's list of best sellers for music, #12 for classic rock. Such a performance for a reissue is proof of how Davy's untimely death on Feb 29 still resonates among his many fans over two months later. Actually in the works by reissue label Friday Music prior to his passing (the liner notes say the digital remastering was completed the day before he died), TBR is a near-complete collection of the songs Davy recorded for Bell Records, featuring the Davy Jones LP plus rare single sides as bonus tracks.

Unlike ex-Monkee Mike Nesmith, Davy had a rough go starting up his solo career. A year after the Monkees disbanded in 1970, Davy hooked up with Bell, then hot with acts like the Fifth Dimension and the Partridge Family. (In fact, when the Monkees' record label, Colgems, subsequently folded, it became part of Bell.) Wikipedia's entry on Davy says he was signed to "a somewhat inflexible...contract" where he had no input on selecting songs or who would produce them, but considering he recorded "Rainy Jane" (by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, a tune dating back to the Monkees he reportedly held onto) as his Bell debut, this account may be in dispute. Jackie Mills, fresh off of making hits for Bobby Sherman, became Davy's producer. With few exceptions, the music resulting from this brief collaboration sounded like Davy was merely singing along to backing tracks leftover from Bobby's sessions (especially with Al Capps on board, who was Mills' regular music arranger).

Of the four singles issued by Bell, "Rainy Jane" fared best, getting no higher than #52 on Billboard's pop music charts (competitor Cashbox had it at #32). None of the follow-ups cracked Billboard's Hot 100. As for the Davy Jones album, it went to #205 on Billboard's Top Albums. Overall, the ripple created by these records was minuscule, even in comparison to Monkeemania at its lowest point. In turn, Davy's attempt at establishing himself as a bankable solo artist was scuttled. Of course, he went on to make more solo recordings (to the delight of his biggest fans), but he only showed up on pop culture's radar when he reunited with any of his fellow Monkees.

In addition to "Rainy Jane," notable tracks on TBR include:

"Girl" (Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel) Originally composed for the movie Star Spangled Girl (a mediocre adaptation of a Neil Simon play starring Sandy Duncan), the song was rewritten for single release. Oddly enough, when Davy performed it on the "Getting Davy Jones" episode of The Brady Bunch, he was lip-syncing to a re-recording (and a sped up one, at that). Of them all, the single version is the best.

"Road to Love" (Carol Carmichael) The first song on the LP is buoyant with an enthusiastic vocal. Later made the B-side to "I'll Believe in You" (his last Bell single), I think it should've been the A-side. Brady Bunch fans may also recognize this through a bad cover version (also produced by Jackie Mills) sung by Christopher Knight and Maureen McCormick on the one album they cut as a duo (a sideline to the "Brady Kids" recordings they were also making around the same time).

"Look at Me" (David Gates) A diverting break from the upbeat nature of the LP with an appropriate moody arrangement.

"Say It Again" (Ed Welch and Carl Simmons)  In this case, a cover sung by aspiring teen idols Andy and David Williams when they guest-starred on The Partridge Family (their rendition was finally released in 2002!) improves on Davy's original. While he sounds okay, the arrangement is a little too busy and cutesy. Not one of the better moments on this set.

Actually, all the music on TBR is likable on the strength of Davy's own affability, but Mills undermines him by trying to fit him into a Bobby Sherman mold. Instead, he should've offered Davy more variety in the song department like he had access to while still in the Monkees. That Mills stubbornly kept him in this rut was a bad judgement call, and it may be a key reason why Davy didn't take off big as a solo.

Unlike Friday Music's earlier reissue of Davy's '65 Colpix LP, all the tracks on TBR are remastered from the original master tapes. A few anomalies are audible, but the sound quality is otherwise fine. The liner notes within the CD booklet provide relevant track-by-track information and an essay written by Friday Music's Joe Reagoso (who also produced the reissue and did the remastering), which features a memorial to Davy that looks like it was added on at the last moment. Considering his passing was unexpected, this is forgivable as Reagoso adequately conveys how much he'll miss Davy.

TBR is flattering to Davy Jones's legacy...to a point. Could more have been added to its 48-minute running time? Sure, but as Friday Music appears to be a small operation, they were likely limited to licensing the masters from Sony Music. Still, it would've been nice if they were able to include additional bonus tracks like the Brady version of "Girl", Davy's Monkees-era demo of "Rainy Jane", the mono single mix of "Rainy Jane" and even Neil Sedaka's rare single of "Rainy Jane" (which has a "trippy" feel to it, unlike Davy's hit). Also, a little more historical perspective and critical analysis incorporated into the liners would've made for a better, balanced read. Above all else, it's important to know this disc is a limited edition, so fans of Davy shouldn't linger long on deciding whether to buy it or not, rare as the recordings are. (I don't think it will be made available as a download on Amazon or iTunes, but I could be proven wrong.) Casual fans may be better off just watching a YouTube video of Davy on The Brady Bunch.

Brother Fang cuts to the chase: "An essential (but very lightweight) purchase for hardcore followers of Davy Jones. Three stars (out of four)."

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.

P.S.--Buy The Bell Recordings (1971-72) here.

Brother Fang and the Easter Bunny's helpers hope everyone's Easter was a nice one....

(All images courtesy Google images.)

The End.

Keeping it trivial....

Fang Shih-yu, Shaolin Temple.