Member falkor Posted May 15, 2009 Member Share Posted May 15, 2009 Over the years, LKL has always gained lots of attention here with discussion relating to his highly rated film work, biography, martial arts style (Hung Gar), and current status (including links to various articles etc). But what about the Yuen Clan; what do we know about them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member jiujitsu77 Posted May 15, 2009 Member Share Posted May 15, 2009 i heard they are from china kidding don't know if this will help but a guy from the uk trains exclusivley with them in china. he is a martial artist/stuntman. ill look for his website now maybe it will help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member falkor Posted May 15, 2009 Author Member Share Posted May 15, 2009 To get things started, allow me to identify the Yuen Clan (need no introduction) and put them in context with related Kung Fu celebrities: (this thread is concerned with those members I've underlined in red) Source: Hong Kong Action Cinema by Bey Logan Here are selected filmographies (Action Choreographer role) from the late 70s (collaborations in bold): Yuen Woo Ping To Kill a Jaguar (1977) The Secret Rivals, Part II (1977) Snuff-Bottle Connection (1977) The Invincible Armour (1977) Broken Oath (1977) Instant Kung Fu Man (1977) Drunken Master (1978) Born Invincible (1978) Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978) Revenge of the Shaolin Master (1979) The Magnificent Butcher (1979) Dreadnought (1981) Tower of Death (1981) The Miracle Fighters (1982) Yuen Chung Yan AKA Yuen Cheung Yan The Dragon Missile (1976) Killer Clans (1976) Instant Kung Fu Man (1977) Cobra Girl (1977) To Kill a Jaguar (1977) 18 Fatal Strikes (1978) The 7 Grandmasters (1978) World of the Drunken Master (1979) A Massacre Survivor (1979) Revenge of the Shaolin Master (1979) Blooded Treasury Fight (1979) Six Directions of Boxing (1980) Dreadnought (1981) What Price Honesty? (1981) Challenge of the Gamesters (1981) Clan Feuds (1982) The Miracle Fighters (1982) Gang Master (1982) Legend of a Fighter (1982) Corey Yuen Kwai Instant Kung Fu Man (1977) Hero of the Wild (1977) The 7 Grandmasters (1978) Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) The Dragon and the Tiger Kids (1979) A Massacre Survivor (1979) Crystal Fist (1979) Ring of Death (1980) The Buddha Assassinator (1980) Hitman in the Hand of Buddha (1981) Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982) Dragon Lord (1982) Yuen Hsin Yee AKA Yuen Shun Yi Hero of the Wild (1977) Crystal Fist (1979) Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) The Dragon and the Tiger Kids (1979) Dreadnought (1981) Legend of a Fighter (1982) The Miracle Fighters (1982) Postman Strikes Back (1982) Yuen Chun Wei AKA Brandy Yuen Jan-Yeung The Dragon and the Tiger Kids (1979) Crystal Fist (1979) Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) Six Directions of Boxing (1980) Dreadnought (1981) Postman Strikes Back (1982) Legend of a Fighter (1982) The Miracle Fighters (1982) Yuen Yat Chor Six Directions of Boxing (1980) Dreadnought (1981) Legend of a Fighter (1982) The Miracle Fighters (1982) Other collaborations The Buddhist Fist (1980) Duel of the Masters (1983) Shaolin Drunkard (1983) Drunken Tai Chi (1984) Taoism Drunkard (1984) The Young Taoism Fighter (1986) All of these movies should be familiar to most Kung Fu fans here, except one, which is most sought after by collectors and appears twice in the list: Above, Massacre Survivor is put in context with all those other Yuen masterpieces, so that should automatically make it fit inside your "most wanted" pigeon hole! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member peringaten Posted May 15, 2009 Member Share Posted May 15, 2009 Should Tong Gaai go on that family tree? Under Yuen Siu Tin somehow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member The Dragon Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 Quite an interesting historical tree there, Falkor. Nice work. That should be posted in it's own place here on the forum, for all to see. I only just read this thread, and many others may not have had the pleasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member thedirtytiger Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 That historical tree is from Bey Logan's book which is sadly long out of print and impossible to find now. There was some nice stuff about the Yuen Clan in the old American magazine Hong Kong Film Connection but back issues are hard to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator KUNG FU BOB Posted May 16, 2009 Administrator Share Posted May 16, 2009 Great idea Falkor. But just one question: why isn't Yuen Siu-tin underlined in red? He's an extremely significant part of the Yuen clan as the patriarch. And I have to say- the book the tree was taken from is the most enjoyable book I've ever read on HK cinema. Years ago we went on vacation to the Pocono mountains and there was a clearance bookstore there. I was shocked to find a small stack of Bey's book there selling for a $1.00 a piece! I bought them all, gave them to my friends, and kept an extra copy for myself (as mine was getting ratty). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Asmo Posted May 16, 2009 Moderator Share Posted May 16, 2009 You might also want to add in Yuen Siu Fai under Yuen Siu Tin, if you consider adding Tong Gaai. He's not a relation (just a student who took the name as a tribute) but he seemed to have been in a fair few films with Yuen Siu Tin in the 50s and 60s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member falkor Posted May 16, 2009 Author Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 That historical tree is from Bey Logan's book which is sadly long out of print and impossible to find now. There was some nice stuff about the Yuen Clan in the old American magazine Hong Kong Film Connection but back issues are hard to find. http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?bt.x=0&bt.y=0&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=hong+kong+action+cinema Will be scanning those HKFC articles soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member falkor Posted May 16, 2009 Author Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 Great idea Falkor. But just one question: why isn't Yuen Siu-tin underlined in red? He's an extremely significant part of the Yuen clan as the patriarch. True, but this thread is not concerned with every Yuen member, ie. the highly talked about Sam The Seed, or lesser members who didn't contribute much to Kung Fu cinema. I want to find out more about the guys who gave us classics like 7 Grandmasters and Hell's Wind Staff, whose photo or article is virtually impossible to find in magazines. The Yuen Clan did for independents what LKL did for shaws! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member falkor Posted May 16, 2009 Author Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Killer Meteor Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 Woah, is that true about Jackie ruining Hwang Jang-lee's carrear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member thedirtytiger Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 I'm pretty sure that after having his teeth kicked out twice Jackie may well have been a little vindictive towards Hwang Jang Lee, afterall, he is human.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member TibetanWhiteCrane Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 I Seriously doubt the validity of that story! I've seen and heard the "teeth kicking" story debunked up to several times, from several sources. Plus, Jackie knew the game of stunts and action filmmaking, and the hazards that comes with that! I sincerely doubt that he would hold a grudge against another performer, like a whiny bitch! Im a fan of both these guys, but this feels like Ric Meyers type writing to me! But who can really say...??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member The Dragon Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 I Seriously doubt the validity of that story! I've seen and heard the "teeth kicking" story debunked up to several times, from several sources. Plus, Jackie knew the game of stunts and action filmmaking, and the hazards that comes with that! I sincerely doubt that he would hold a grudge against another performer, like a whiny bitch! Im a fan of both these guys, but this feels like Ric Meyers type writing to me! But who can really say...??? :l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Omni Dragon Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 Great idea Falkor. But just one question: why isn't Yuen Siu-tin underlined in red? He's an extremely significant part of the Yuen clan as the patriarch. And I have to say- the book the tree was taken from is the most enjoyable book I've ever read on HK cinema. Years ago we went on vacation to the Pocono mountains and there was a clearance bookstore there. I was shocked to find a small stack of Bey's book there selling for a $1.00 a piece! I bought them all, gave them to my friends, and kept an extra copy for myself (as mine was getting ratty). I got Bey's book from amazon.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator KUNG FU BOB Posted May 16, 2009 Administrator Share Posted May 16, 2009 True, but this thread is not concerned with every Yuen member, ie. the highly talked about Sam The Seed, or lesser members who didn't contribute much to Kung Fu cinema. I want to find out more about the guys who gave us classics like 7 Grandmasters and Hell's Wind Staff, whose photo or article is virtually impossible to find in magazines. The Yuen Clan did for independents what LKL did for shaws! Got ya! That makes sense. I really love this thread, so thanks again for planting the seed! I got Bey's book from amazon.co.uk You're going to love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Omni Dragon Posted May 16, 2009 Member Share Posted May 16, 2009 Got ya! That makes sense. I really love this thread, so thanks again for planting the seed! You're going to love it. i've already read it. i also tick films off that i've seen in the "Index" i was just saying were i got mine from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member thedirtytiger Posted May 17, 2009 Member Share Posted May 17, 2009 Well, it has been said that Jackie thinks Hwang kicked him in the mouth hard on purpose cause he didn't like him. Having heard many stories about Jackie, I'd probably kick him in the mouth too if I decided they are true and don't forget everyone can be bad tempered from time to time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Tosh Posted May 17, 2009 Member Share Posted May 17, 2009 Just made my way into this thread, thanks for the scans Falkor, I've saved them to read later, as much as I love my Shaws, these guys were the real deal to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member falkor Posted May 17, 2009 Author Member Share Posted May 17, 2009 So what exactly does "Northern style" consist of as practised by the Yuens? Meng Hoi also vaguely mentions it in his interview re: Peking Opera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Atherton Posted May 18, 2009 Member Share Posted May 18, 2009 Did any of the Yuens really work on Devil Woman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member falkor Posted May 18, 2009 Author Member Share Posted May 18, 2009 Did any of the Yuens really work on Devil Woman? Don't think so, mate; where'd you hear that? Whilst you guys ponder "Northern Style", what late 70s films (from the selection below) do you think the Yuens each got to showcase their on-screen fighting ability--perhaps using styles? (blue = Yuen action choreographed) Yuen Woo Ping Only featured in cameo roles during the late 70s Yuen Chung Yan AKA Yuen Cheung Yan Deadly Angels (1977) Last Strike (1977) The Battle Wizard (1977) ... bandit Dynamo (1978) A Massacre Survivor (1979) Six Directions of Boxing (1980) The Buddhist Fist (1980) ... stutterer with bird cage Hero at the Border Region (1981) Dreadnought (1981) ... Marshal's assistant The Miracle Fighters (1982) ... Old Woman Shaolin Drunkard (1983) ... Granny/ Shaolin Drunkard Chan Taoism Drunkard (1984) ... Granny / Drunken Taoist [2 Roles] Drunken Tai Chi (1984) ... Puppetteer Corey Yuen Kwai The Himalayan (1976) ... Kao's guard The Fatal Flying Guillotines (1977) ... soldier in tree Instant Kung Fu Man (1977) ... Robber The Invincible Armour (1977) Death Duel (1977) ... Japanese in Hei Sha Clan Broken Oath (1977) ... One of Chou's Guards / Hao's bodyguard Last Strike (1977) Hero of the Wild (1977) ... Spearman Snuff-Bottle Connection (1977) ... Ambusher w/spear The Secret Rivals, Part II (1977) The 7 Grandmasters (1978) ... Hu Pei Champion Born Invincible (1978) A Massacre Survivor (1979) Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) ... Rubber Legs' Student Revenge of the Shaolin Master (1979) The Buddha Assassinator (1980) ... fights in intro Six Directions of Boxing (1980) Tower of Death (1981) ... guard in the cave Yuen Hsin Yee AKA Yuen Shun Yi Snuff-Bottle Connection (1977) ... Chi Nao, Chancellor Pu's investigator Broken Oath (1977) ... One of Qi's Men Last Strike (1977) Hero of the Wild (1977) ... Lui Chan Yuan's student The Invincible Armour (1977) Drunken Master (1978) ... Chen Kuo Wei Dynamo (1978) Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, Part II (1978) ... Chiu Ming's fighter Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (1978) ... Hung Dung clan member Born Invincible (1978) Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) ... Foggy Revenge of the Shaolin Master (1979) Two Toothless Tigers (1980) Six Directions of Boxing (1980) The Buddhist Fist (1980) ... Ah Hsiang Dreadnought (1981) ... White Tiger Tower of Death (1981) ... guard in the cave The Miracle Fighters (1982) ... Sorcerer Bat Shaolin Drunkard (1983) ... Evil Magician Drunken Tai Chi (1984) ... Iron-Steel, crazed killer Taoism Drunkard (1984) ... Old Devil Yuen Chun Wei AKA Brandy Yuen Jan-Yeung Broken Oath (1977) ... One of Chou's Masked Doubles The Fatal Flying Guillotines (1977) The Iron Fisted Monk (1977) Soul of the Sword (1978) ... hunchback Shaolin Hand Lock (1978) Drunken Master (1978) ... one of Fei Hung's friends Crystal Fist (1979) ... deaf man Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) ... Fake Sam Seed The Buddhist Fist (1980) ... Beancurd seller, undercover co Six Directions of Boxing (1980) Tower of Death (1981) Dreadnought (1981) ... Marshal's assistant The Miracle Fighters (1982) ... Child in urn Legend of a Fighter (1982) ... Bucktooth Duel of the Masters (1983) Shaolin Drunkard (1983) ... Evil Magician's student Yuen Yat Chor Last Strike (1977) Broken Oath (1977) ... Chou's Masked Double / One of Hao's Men The Kung Fu Kid (1977) Instant Kung Fu Man (1977) ... Hsiao Hu's disciple Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978) ... gets beaten up by beggar Dynamo (1978) A Massacre Survivor (1979) Six Directions of Boxing (1980) The Buddhist Fist (1980) What Price Honesty? (1981) ... prison guard/constable The Miracle Fighters (1982) ... Shu Gut Legend of a Fighter (1982) ... younger Fok Yun Gap Postman Strikes Back (1982) ... Yao Jin Shaolin Drunkard (1983) ... Yau Pai Yuen Taoism Drunkard (1984) ... Wu Shun-Chiu Drunken Tai Chi (1984) ... Yu Ping The Young Taoism Fighter (1986) No doubt many of the listed performances above are cameo roles and need to be filtered out. Regarding Yuen/TV, I can do no better than to quote rrden: you had had yuens in that drunken series with Lee I-Min with Yuen Cheung-Yan a co star, they did choreagraphy on wu jings master of tai chi series, and the the action on the 36th chamber tv http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIATQIHe-zc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member TibetanWhiteCrane Posted May 18, 2009 Member Share Posted May 18, 2009 What does Yuen Kwai have to do with the Yuen family??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member falkor Posted May 18, 2009 Author Member Share Posted May 18, 2009 He worked with them on a lot of films. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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