George Lazenby's Golden Harvest Films: Stoner, Man From Hong Kong & Queen's Ransom

[mpm74]

STONER (1974)

By Mighty Peking Man

When a tough Australian cop named Stoner (George Lazenby) discovers that his sister has overdosed on a deadly new drug called “The Happy Pill” (an aphrodisiac/hallucenogen mixture), he travels to Hong Kong to track down its creators. Along the way, he meets up with a beautiful secret agent (Angela Mao) who’s on her own mission to investigate the same drug ring.

The two learn that the force behind the “The Happy Pill” is a SPECTRE-like organization that has enough power to distribute the drug all over the world. Now, it’s up to them to keep that from ever happening!

Rumor has it that “Stoner” (aka “The Shrine of the Ultimate Bliss”) was intended to be Bruce Lee’s next movie after “Game of Death“. It was going to be the most expensive Hong Kong/U.S. co-production ever made. It would team Bruce with an all-star international cast including: one-time James Bond Australian actor George Lazenby (“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”); Japanese action star Sonny Chiba (The Street Fighter); and well-known Shaw Brothers actress, Betty Ting Pei (The Fourteen Amazons). The film even had a working tagline ready: It’s Lee, It’s Lazenby, It’s Bruce vs. Bond…

Unfortunately, after Bruce’s sudden death, all the big plans for “Stoner” were changed and Golden Harvest cut the film’s budget to shreds. What was leftover of the project went to director Huang Feng (When Taekwondo Strikes). George Lazenby and Betty Ting Pei were the only original members who were locked in. Angela Mao Ying (Invincible Eight) filled in for Bruce. Either Japanese actor Joji Takagi (Zatoichi in Desperation) or Korean hapkido master Hwang In-Shik (The Devil’s Treasure) most likely replaced Sonny Chiba. The rest is history…

Not sure how “Stoner” would have turned out if Bruce had lived to make it, but I’m pretty sure it would have been filmed with a more mainstream approach.

As it stands, “Stoner” is as 1970′s exploitation as you can get: Orgies, nudity, drug use, pornstaches, sexual innuendos, funky music, psychedelic set design, white people who look like members of the Manson family (including Golden Harvest’ own Andre Morgan) and of course, a double dose of bell-bottom fury!

Say what you want about George Lazenby’s decision to give up his Bond career, but don’t underestimate how much of a badass he is. This guy can fight. I swear, the way Lazenby brawls on camera is far more intense and entertaining than what most kung fu films – especially of time – had to offer. It’s no wonder why Bruce Lee handpicked him to appear in “Game of Death“.

I haven’t seen a whole lot of Angela Mao’s films, but her appearance in “Stoner” marks the first time I realized how cute she is. Even though Lazenby has his share of heavy ass-kicking, it’s Angela who gets the main event with Hwang In-Shik. Angela’s brutal fight with Hwang ends with a series of flame-broiled explosions. At one point, you can clearly see her clothes on fire, which she puts out with her bare hands.

Sammo Hung fans will be pleased. He gets a lot of quality screen time. Not only does he play one of the main henchmen, but he also serves as film’s action choreographer. Also present is Wilson Tong and many other familiar faces in the Golden Harvest circuit: Feng Yi (Fist of Fury), Suen Lam (The New Fist of Fury) and Han Ying Chieh (The Big Boss).

Betty Ting Pei also stars as a seductive villainess. It’s hard to watch her and not think of what she’s mostly known for: the woman who last saw Bruce Lee alive – in her own bedroom of all places! It doesn’t help that there’s a scene where she lets an injured Lazenby rest on her bed as she “comforts” him. Somehow, I doubt this scene was a coincidence. The visuals – apartment, bedroom, a half dead man laying on a bed, etc. – can almost qualify as a reenactment of Bruce’s final hours. “Stoner” was made only months after Bruce’s demise, so the filmmakers were walking on “too soon” territory with this one.

“Stoner” is a film few people will love: James Bond/Lazenby admirers will be interested, but they’ll be disappointed when they find out their hero isn’t all clean cut and suave; kung fu film fans would rather see their usual Chinese lead, not some funny-looking white guy with a big ass mustache; people who love Angela Mao will get what they want, but they’ll only want more.

As for me? I loved every sleazy minute of it. It’s a one-of-a-kind oddity that I can’t recommend enough.

8/10 (for Stoner hi-res poster art, click here)

MAN FROM HONG KONG (1975)

By Mighty Peking Man

When a Chinese drug courier named Win Chan (Sammo Hung) is arrested in Australia, local police officials enlist the help of Hong Kong Special Agent Fang Sing Leng (Jimmy Wang Yu) to interrogate their captive. It’s soon established that Win Chan’s connection is a powerful Australian gangster named Jack Wilton (George Lazenby), who uses his legitimate import/export business as a front for his illegal drug network.

Unbeknownst to Australian officials, Agent Fang takes matters into his own hands and begins to infiltrate Jack Wilton’s organization. Despite Agent Fang being a master of weaponry and martial arts, he discovers that his secret mission is a lot deadlier than he ever imagined.

Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith (BMX Bandits), “The Man from Hong Kong” was not only the first Australian/Hong Kong co-production, it was also the first Australian martial arts movie ever made. In addition, it’s the only English-language film of Jimmy Wang Yu’s career (in the final product, Wang Yu’s dialogue was voice-overed by the late Roy Chiao, who is mostly known for playing Lao Che in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”).

Brian Trenchard-Smith describes his movie as “James Bond Spoofery,” but I say it’s more of a homage. When I think of a James Bond spoof, I think “Get Smart” or even “Austin Powers.” It’s not like we have Wang Yu’s character speaking through a shoe phone or fighting a villain named Goldpinky. If “The Man from Hong Kong” a 007 spoof, then “Enter the Dragon” might as well be one too. The bottom line is both movies are heavily influenced by Bond films, but they’re far from being spoofs or parodies.

WIth that said, “The Man from Hong Kong” has everything you would expect out of a “007″ flick:

Beautiful Women: Wang Yu makes love to the ladies and uses them as tools, so he can accomplish his objectives much easier.

Extended Car Chases and Explosions: Even before George Miller’s “Mad Max” films, Brian Trenchard-Smith (along with Grant Page, one of Australia’s top stuntmen) were already experimenting with high octane chase sequences with no or very little regard for safety. There’s a vehicle explosion in the movie that looks like it came out of a Michael Bay flick (i.e. debris and mechanical chunks flying right towards the camera); the main difference is Brian’s film is the real deal, especially since computerized effects didn’t exist in 1975.

Gadgets: One of the very few films to really make use of the hang glider. Sure, it’s no Aston Martin with ejector seats; but for the time, the device was hip, cutting edge and extreme.

Catchy Theme Song: English pop band Jigsaw composed a Bond-esque track called “Sky High,” which was more popular than the movie itself. It became a world-wide hit in 1975, reaching #3 on the U.S. Billboard Chart and #9 in the U.K. Singles Chart. Two years later the song gained even more success in Japan, selling over 570,000 copies; it’s no wonder why the song was prominently featured in 2000′s Japanese/Korean film “Asako in Ruby Shoes.”

The Presence of a former Bond: In 1973, George Lazenby signed a three picture deal with Golden Harvest. Starting with “Game of Death,” the films were intended to team Lazenby up with Bruce Lee, but due to Bruce’s sudden death, the three movies eventually became “The Shrine of Ultimate Bliss,” “A Queen’s Ransom” and the title you’re currently reading about.

Jimmy Wang Yu (“One-Armed Swordsman“) – who usually gets a bad wrap for being overly cocky, both onscreen and off – is often looked down upon for not having any visually impressive martial arts abilities. In the 2008 documentary “Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!,” cast and crew from “The Man from Hong Kong” expressed negativity towards working with Wang Yu:

“Jimmy was just horrible” - Hal McElory, Assistant Director

“One of two worst people I’ve ever worked with in my life” – David Hannay, Producer

“He basically had no respect for anybody” – George Lazenby, Co-star

Apparently, Wang Yu tried to take complete control over the production, which caused heated arguments between him and director Brian Trenchard-Smith. In fact, Brian has a cameo in one of the film’s key fight scenes – a duel between him and Wang Yu – which takes place on top of a moving elevator. In the scene, many of Wang Yu’s punches aimed at Brian were supposedly real, which is the result of Wang Yu not getting his way.

Wang Yu may have been difficult, but it’s evident that he put his heart an soul into the project. There were many instances where I was trying to find a stunt double, only to realize it was Wang Yu himself sacrificing his safety. Wang Yu isn’t dumb. He knew this was a big budget motion picture that had the potential to make him an international action star, so he wanted to make sure the public noticed what he was capable of. After all, Bruce’s death was still fresh and everyone – including Wang Yu – wanted to grab his torch.

If you’re a fan of the “Mad Max” series, you’ll appreciate co-stars Hugh Keays-Byrne (Toecutter from “Mad Max”), Roger Ward (Fifi from “Mad Max”) and Frank Thring (The Collector from “Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome”). The fast, witty dialogue between Hugh Keays-Byrne, Roger Ward and Wang Yu are some of the film’s finest moments. It’s funny to see Hugh Keays-Byrne so animated and alive, as opposed to his wooden “Mad Max” character. Roger Ward looks like a completely different person, probably due to the fact that he has a head of hair (he’s the bald, Mr. Clean-looking guy in “Max Max”).

In addition to his cameo as Win Chan, Sammo Hung serves as fight director. Sammo’s martial arts choreography is a mixed bag – some of it is smooth, some of it is brutal and some of it is lacking any type of excitement or energy. As a whole, there’s really no room to complain, especially during the savage match between Wang Yu and Lazenby. What happens to poor Lazenby definitely never happened to the other fella…

“The Man from Hong Kong” is a blast. In many ways, it’s an easy film to make fun of because of its 1970′s cheese factor and corny one-liners; at the same time, you can’t deny that its action sequences are breathtaking and light years ahead of their time.

Highly recommended.

8/10 (for Man From Hong Kong hi-res poster art, click here)

A QUEEN'S RANSOM (1976)

By Mighty Peking Man

A terrorist from Ireland (George Lazenby) leads a group of deadly mercenaries to assassinate the Queen of England. Each of the men have their own special skill: Miyamoto (Cheung Pooi Saan), a Japanese explosives expert; Ram (Bolo Yeung), a Thai boxing champion; Chen Lung (Peter Chan), a Filipino sniper; and Shark (Jimmy Wang Yu), a Viet Cong guerilla warfare expert.

With the help of a bar girl (Tien Ni), Hong Kong police officials (headed by Ko Chun Hsiung and Charles Heung Wah Keung) must race against time and intercept the bad guys before they get to the Queen; little do they know, the bad guys have other sneaky plans up their sleeve.

“A Queen’s Ransom” definitely starts off on a high note, but goes nowhere but downhill after the first 30 minutes. With its cool title, promising plot, and all-star cast (which also includes Angela Mao, Dean Shek and exploitation favorite Judith Brown of “The Big Doll House” fame), you would think it would be full of wall-to-wall action – but nope – 85% of the movie is nothing but dialogue-based situations of espionage.

Personally, I’m more concerned with the overall pacing of a film, so I don’t need a lot of killings and beat ‘em ups hold my attention; but what really hurts “A Queens Ransom” is you have all these names you associate with action films, which leaves you wanting, waiting and begging for any type of action to happen. Imagine watching a Chuck Norris flick where he spends most of his time in a jibber-jabish stealth mode, instead of kicking ass like he should be doing. Lame, right?

Even when some action finally kicks in, it’s uninteresting and sluggish. Unlike “Stoner” and “Man from Hong Kong,” the absence of Sammo Hung’s choreography is extremely evident. The difference between what George Lazenby was physically capable of in “Stoner” and what he does in “A Queen’s Ransom” is night and day. It’s no wonder Sammo’s name was associated with just about every Golden Harvest action movie of the 70′s. Instead of Sammo, Lu Tsun handles the choreography (never heard of this guy and there’s probably a reason for that).

I suppose I’d be thinking differently if the non-action scenes were done with more quality in mind, but then again, this is a 1970′s Golden Harvest flick, and not a well-written episode of “Mission: Impossible” or “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” As it stands, “A Queen’s Ransom” is filled with a rushed screenplay with careless plot holes and sloppy directing.

“A Queen’s Ransom” is the third and final film listed on the contract George Lazenby signed with Golden Harvest studios. After trying to squeeze whatever star power was left in Lazenby with “Stoner” and “Man from Hong Kong,” it’s apparent that Raymond Chow (head of Golden Harvest) no longer knew what to do with the one-time James Bond star; so he produced “A Queen’s Ransom” and made Lazenby a wooden bad guy with limited screen time.

If you’re wondering if the actual Queen Elizabeth II makes an appearance, she certainly does. However, her appearance is nothing but stock footage (mostly filmed from a distance) during her 1975 visit to Hong Kong, which was spliced into the actual film (ala Bruce Lee’s funeral footage in “Game of Death“).

Even just for its historical value, I’d be a fool not to recommend “A Queen’s Ransom.” Where else are you going to see a Hong Kong flick starring George Lazenby, Ko Chun Hsiung (this guy’s screen presence would put Chow Yun-fat to shame), Jimmy Wang Yu, Angela Mao, Charles Heung, Judith Brown, Tien Ni, Cheung Pooi Saan, Dean Shek and Bolo Yeung?

If anything, the film does a great job of holding your interest as you wait for something cool to happen; sadly, nothing ever does. It’s no wonder “A Queen’s Ransom” remains obscure, despite its international star power.

5/10 (for Queen's Ransom hi-res poster art, click here)

I may have a couple of things wrong in my reviews, as far as George Lazenby's "contract" with Golden Harvest is concerned. Here's an interview (by Bey Logan) done with George. Interestesting reads:

[ShaOW!linDude]

Thanks for posting all of these, mpm74.

I've seen THE MAN FROM HONG KONG. I'm sorry but I thought that film was just awful and the fights atrocious.

I will definitely be skipping QUEEN'S RANSOM. I understand the point about the appeal of the international action star cast but if they're going to do nothing in that vein for the vast majority of the movie, then the novelty isn't worth it to me. So, cool! You spared me 90 mins. of my life.

However, for years I've bypassed STONER, unsure if it was worth the chance. I was afraid it'd be just another basher flick. I'm very intrigued by this now. When I get a chance to score this, I think I will.

[mpm74]

Thanks for posting all of these, mpm74.

I've seen THE MAN FROM HONG KONG. I'm sorry but I thought that film was just awful and the fights atrocious.

I will definitely be skipping QUEEN'S RANSOM. I understand the point about the appeal of the international action star cast but if they're going to do nothing in that vein for the vast majority of the movie, then the novelty isn't worth it to me. So, cool! You spared me 90 mins. of my life.

However, for years I've bypassed STONER, unsure if it was worth the chance. I was afraid it'd be just another basher flick. I'm very intrigued by this now. When I get a chance to score this, I think I will.

No problem!

I thought the fight scenes were decent in Man From Hong Kong. It really isn't too bad for a mid-1970s Golden Harvest flick. With these movies, you have to watch them for their historical value (or like you said, novelty), otherwise they're pretty much all a waste of time. =D

But I'm enjoying them!

[Karlos]

Spot-on reviewing, there, MPM.

I love STONER, I really do. It’s a cracking piece of action sleaze and perhaps the ultimate “what if?” in action film history.

I’d heard the story of this being created to highlight a team-up of Bruce and Lazenby (possibly the first of many?) but had no idea Sonny Chiba himself would’ve been added to the mix - I don’t think the cinema screen could’ve coped with all three of those cats up there together – just imagine it! Damn!!

THE MAN FROM HONG KONG is cool, too. It’s such a relentless film, bursting with manic energy. I wonder what audiences made of it back then? I also wonder who’s to be believed about Wang Yu’s behaviour on-set?

You’re right about Lazenby giving it his his all in these films; he fights like a man possessed, throwing himself into every scrap, yet he never fell into swingy-army” fighting. He had control (perhaps Bruce’s influence?)

I’d have hated being a stuntman in one of these flicks and having to go up against him.

Both films are a pure distillation of 70s funkyness, for sure.

Still not seen QUEEN’S RANSOM yet, although it’s on my “to watch” list. Pretty much every review of this is the same: a great cast, pretty much wasted.

DEATH DIMENSION is worth a watch, too, but Lazenby floats in and out.

BTW, is your copy of STONER the uncut Rainbow version or the recent Joy Sales release?

[Takuma]

Gotta love Lazenby

Seen (and own) Stoner and The Man From Hong Kong, both cool films.

edit: despite these screenshots, his fighting in Stoner is quite good indeed

[The Dragon]

Yeah, Lazenby got to explore Betty Ting's jewels in that one scene... I wonder how Bruce would've felt about that? Or maybe it was originally written Bruce would have that scene... Fringe Benefits?

[mpm74]

BTW, is your copy of STONER the uncut Rainbow version or the recent Joy Sales release?

JS version.

What scenes do the rainbow version have that were cut?

[Karlos]

JS version.

What scenes do the rainbow version have that were cut?

Here's Jack J's entry on his blog:

http://enlejemordersertilbage.blogspot.com/2009/09/stoner-1974.html?zx=875177fc76f34e1c

I think the PanMedia version is taken from the Rainbow VHS, which I was told was the longest version around.

[mpm74]

Here's Jack J's entry on his blog:

http://enlejemordersertilbage.blogspot.com/2009/09/stoner-1974.html?zx=875177fc76f34e1c

I think the PanMedia version is taken from the Rainbow VHS, which I was told was the longest version around.

Awesome. Will check it out Karlos.

[One Armed Boxer]

Great reviews! All spot on, I particularly agree with you over 'Queens Ransom'...I'd been looking forward to watching this one for so long, such an all star cast, almost anything with Wang Yu from that period guarantees some craziness, and a plot which involves killing the Queen of England! I was set up for a fine slice of 70's HK absurdity at it's finest....

.....instead I was subjected to a plodding tale of cops talking to each other in drab settings uttering mundane dialogue, and a cast who often wore expressions of "What are we doing here?", the movie is a disaster on pretty much every level.

I remember watching 'Fantasy Mission Force' expecting some similar fun craziness, but that movie was simply too stupid to enjoy (& believe me, a movie has to be really stupid for me not to enjoy it), I had the same expectation with this movie, but it was the exact opposite, too boring to enjoy!

I've seen THE MAN FROM HONG KONG. I'm sorry but I thought that film was just awful and the fights atrocious.

....

However, for years I've bypassed STONER, unsure if it was worth the chance. I was afraid it'd be just another basher flick. I'm very intrigued by this now. When I get a chance to score this, I think I will.

Hey ShaOW!linDude, just my opinion, but if you didn't get much out of 'The Man from Hong Kong', I'm not sure how much you'll get out of 'Stoner'.

Yes the fights are a little bit better, as something which has Hawng In-Shik in should be, but I would still say the majority of fights fall into the 'basher' category. If you enjoyed 'Hapkido' then you should still get a kick out of 'Stoner', but don't go in expecting the intricate choreography that Sammo would go on to develop just a few years later.....his choreography in this movie is still closer to 'The Man from Hong Kong' than it is to 'Iron Fisted Monk'.

[mpm74]

LOL!

Thanks. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about QR. It has so much potential. At least we get to see Bolo use a machine gun! What other movie do we see that in?

And yes, Man From Hong Kong had some crazy fight/action sequences. Some of which were amazing for the time!

=D

[Guest Markgway]

I thought The Man from Hong Kong was just OK, but the other two were atrocious. I think Harvest gave Lazenby their worst films.

[The Dragon]

I could always sense The Man From Hong Kong was a vehicle for Bruce Lee. I just had his stamp on it. Badass Asian cop in Australia, showing up the man?

Yep.

[mpm74]

I thought The Man from Hong Kong was just OK, but the other two were atrocious. I think Harvest gave Lazenby their worst films.

You blown it all sky high.

[One Armed Boxer]

Not exactly Golden Harvest, but with the upcoming release of 'Becoming Bond', I decided to give Lazenby's one-off tenure as 007 the review treatment.  Check it out here -

http://cityonfire.com/on-her-majestys-secret-service-1969-review/

 

[DragonClaws]

On 20/03/2017 at 3:46 PM, One Armed Boxer said:

Not exactly Golden Harvest, but with the upcoming release of 'Becoming Bond', I decided to give Lazenby's one-off tenure as 007 the review treatment.  Check it out here -

Great review One Armed Boxer, this was one of the last Bond films I watched when going seeking out all the movies. Back when VHS and T.V were the only options for viewing a movie at home, it wasn't easy to find. Remember finally watching it during a Bond season, when ITV screened all the movies in the correct order. It was never as popular as the other titles, which seemed t be repeated on T.V all the time.

Now its easily available and in the wake of the internet it has a much better reputation.

[sifu iron perm]

stoner is a brilliant title.

[DragonClaws]

11 hours ago, sifu iron perm said:

stoner is a brilliant title.

Especially back in the 70's, with the popularity of the counter culture. Sure many of the old cinemas were thick with a certian special smoke, back in the day.

[CT KID]

We'll call it the "Happy Pill"! The retro version of viagra? 

 

Edited April 13, 2017 by CT KID

[Phantom Dreamer]

On 11/7/2011 at 3:09 AM, Karlos said:

Still not seen QUEEN’S RANSOM yet, although it’s on my “to watch” list. Pretty much every review of this is the same: a great cast, pretty much wasted.

Queen's Ransom has a scene at Bruce Lee's old 41 Cumberland Road house?

[Phantom Dreamer]

Interesting write up about 'Stoner' by "Hai_Tien" from Nick Clarke's Bruce Lee forum. People often remarked about how Game of Death 78 hit a little too close to home regarding Bruce Lee, art imitating life, if you will. Apparently 'Stoner' took a similar path.

[Omni Dragon]

On ‎11‎/‎6‎/‎2011 at 11:25 PM, mpm74 said:

A QUEEN'S RANSOM (1976)

 

By Mighty Peking Man

 

A terrorist from Ireland (George Lazenby) leads a group of deadly mercenaries to assassinate the Queen of England.

Is this the sequel to On Her Majesty's Secret Service?  

[leon00]

[Cognoscente]

A Queen's Ransom came out in the same year that Charles Heung married Betty Ting Pei. The last image is something you can use as a screensaver or wallpaper.

[Cognoscente]