Ep. 35: Hong Kong Film History Pt. 4 w/ Po Fung (蒲鋒) 1/2 [Cantonese]

「香港電影史導論 Podcast第四集」討論大網

有關這系列的Podcast, 詳情請看這裡。

第四集「國語影業的邅遞—由左右對立到邵氏電懋的兩強競爭」

在這第四集的podcast， 我們一共分開兩節，每節的主題如下：
4.1 電懋的興衰
4.2 邵氏的興起

討論大網：

1950年代香港的國語片影業左右對立壁壘分明。左派公司有受中共領導的長城、鳳凰公司。右派既有較重意形態的公司像新華和亞洲，也有要進入台灣市場而親台的邵氏和電懋。雖然在政治立場上對立，但兩派影片有很長一段時間都不顯示太過強烈的政治意識，拍的都是以娛樂為主的商業片。國語片漸由財雄勢大的星馬資金公司電懋和邵氏顯出明顯優勢。電懋以摩登色彩的時裝電影領風騷。邵氏起初處於劣勢，後來邵逸夫由星加坡帶來大筆資金，興建影城，拍彩色片，提升製作質素，先後創下黃梅調及武俠片的兩大潮流，到1960年代後期不單在國語片一枝獨秀，甚且粵語片市場也受到相當衝擊和影響。

4.1 電懋的興衰

1. 電懋是怎樣興起？
2. 主事人陸運濤是什麼人呢？
3. 電懋的電影有什麼特色？
4. 電懋最好的電影是那一部？
5. 電懋為何衰落？
6. 有什麼明星？
7. 電懋有那幾位重要的電影人？
8. 有什麼推薦的電影？

Outline of Introduction to Hong Kong Film Industry Podcast Part 4
About this series of podcasts, please check here. 

Part 4: Left-Right Opposition and the Competition of the Two Titans

In this fourth episode of the podcast, we have two segments, each focusing on the following topics;
4.1 The Rise and Fall of MP & GI
4.2 The Rise of Shaw Bros

 Outline:

Mandarin Film Industry’s Progress: From Left and Right Opposition to the Competition of Industry Titans “Shaw Bros” and “MP & GI”
In the 1950s, Hong Kong’s Mandarin Film Industry’s right and left parties became increasingly diametrically opposed. Leftist companies like the “Great Wall Movie Enterprise” and “Phoenix Motion Enterprise” received support from the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party. While companies that appeared more rightist included “Hsin Hwa Motion Pictures” and “Asia Film Company.” Amongst them were companies that sought to enter and endear themselves to the Taiwanese market, including the “Shaw Bross” and “MP & GI” (also known as Cathay Organization). 

Although their political stances were seemingly oppositional, both sides had for a long period where few films openly displayed any political messages-- most movies filmed were commercial features focused foremost on entertainment. 

The superiority of Mandarin films gradually became clear through the abundant wealth and influence of Singaporean and Malaysian capital put into companies like “MP & GI” and “Shaw Brothers.” 

“MP & GI” use of modern and fashionable films were heavily praised. “Shaw Bros,” on the other hand, was at first less favorably received. Run Run Shaw later acquired a large amount of Singaporean capital to build theaters, produce colored films, raise the manufacturing quality of the industry, and successively established Huangmei Opera and Wuxia as two of the largest film trends. 

By the 1960s, these companies were superior within the Mandarin Film Market, and their impact and influence could also be seen in the Cantonese Film Market. 

4.1 Rise and Fall of MP & GI

In the fourth episode, the first section, we mainly discussed:

1. How did MP & GI rise to prominence?
2. Who is the key figure, Loke Wan Tho?
3. What are the distinctive features of MP & GImovies?
4. Which is the best movie produced by MP & GI?
5. Why did MP & GI decline?
6. Are there any notable celebrities involved?
7. Who are the important figures in the MP & GI film industry?
8. Any recommended movies?

Follow the hosts:

Kay Ho's Instagram: @kayho1430

Po Fung's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flash1030/



This episode is part of the "Preserve Yesterday - Back to Lee Theatre VR" project, which collaborated with the Hong Kong XR Museum. For more info, visit here: https://www.hongkongxrmuseum.org/lee-theatre-ticket.

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The Hong Kong On Screen Podcast is a podcast about Hong Kong Cinema. The HKOS Podcast is hosted by Hong Kongers. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also email us at info@hkonscreen.org.



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