Lai-Zhen Yu

Lai-Zhen Yu (Chinese: 余麗珍; 1923–2004) was a former Chinese actress and Cantonese opera singer from Hong Kong. Yu is credited with over 140 films.

Lai-Zhen Yu
余麗珍
Born1923 (1923)
Guangdong, China
Died2004 (aged 80–81)
Other namesChiu Lai Jan, Yu Lai-Chun, Yu Lai-jan, Yu Lai-Zhen
Occupation(s)Actress, Cantonese opera singer
Years active1947-1967
Known forCo-founder of Lishi Film Production Company
SpouseLee Siu-wan[1]

Early life

In 1923, Yu was born in Guangdong, China.[2][3]

Career

At age 16, Yu performed Cantonese opera. Yu performed Cantonese opera in the United States, South East Asia, and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Yu co-founded Guanghua Opera Troupe. In 1947, Yu crossed over as an actress in Hong Kong films. Yu first appeared in Cuckoo's Spirit in March, a 1947 Drama film directed by Hung Suk-Wan. In 1959, Yu co-founded Lishi Film Production Company. Yu is known for her role as the Headless Queen in Cantonese opera films. In 1968, Yu retired from the film industry.[1]

Yu's last film was The Plot, a 1967 Historical Drama film directed by Wong Hok-Sing. Yu is credited with over 140 films.[2][3]

Repertoire
  • An Agnostic and Sagacious Intercession[4]
  • The God's Story[5][6]
  • Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice (debut opposite Sun Ma Sze Tsang) [7]
  • The Crab Beauty (Fantasy)[8]
  • The Skeleton Tower under the Sea (Fantasy)[9]

Filmography

Films

This is a partial list of films.

  • 1947 Cuckoo's Spirit in March [2]
  • 1951 A King Speaks His Heart [2]
  • 1959 The Maid Who led an Expedition to conquer the West[10] (See Yang Paifeng)
  • 1963 The Prince Becomes a Monk[11]
  • 1967 The Plot (aka Teaching the Son to Slay the Emperor, Revenge of the Prince) - Cuckoo, Lau's wife.[12]

Personal life

Yu's husband was Lee Siu-wan,[13] a writer for films. Within the Cantonese Opera community, Lee was also part of the establishment. He explained at a press conference how applications of new performers for Barwo membership were blocked until weeks before their scheduled (1 July 1972) performances.[14]

After retirement, Yu immigrated to Canada. On 4 March 2004, Yu died.[2][3]

Discography
  • CR-2063, Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice

References
  1. Yu planned to be back on stage for Lunar New Year, as encouraged by her husband. 29 December 1961 Wah Kiu Yat Po. (Chinese: 余麗珍東山復出計劃在新春起班，香港《華僑日報》，第六張，第一頁。)
  2. Stokes, Lisa Odham (2020). Historical Dictionary of Hong Kong Cinema. Scarecrow Press. pp. 563–564. ISBN 9781538120620. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  3. "Yu Lai-Zhen". hkmdb.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  4. Google book search 英雄碧血洗情仇 1954年7月5日
  5. Chinese: 「新萬象劇團」《新封神榜》主題曲「此夜魂歸淚未乾」
  6. 3 August 1953 Performance, seven days, Macau.(Chinese: 文化和旅游部民族民间文艺发展中心《中国戏曲志．澳门卷》,社会科学文献出版社, 2019 。)
  7. Emperor's Nocturnal Sacrifice at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
  8. The Crab Beauty(1) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase & The Crab Beauty(2) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase and The ‘biographical notes' of YU Lai-zhen（1923–2004.3.4) PDF
  9. The Skeleton Tower under the Sea(1) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase & The Skeleton Tower under the Sea(2) at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
  10. "The Maid Who led an Expedition to conquer the West". lcsd.gov.hk. 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  11. "The Prince Becomes a Monk". hkmdb.com. 20 February 1963. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  12. "Film Screenings - Teaching the Son to Slay the Emperor (aka The Plot)". lcsd.gov.hk. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  13. Lee Siu-wan at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
  14. The Kung Sheung Daily News, 18 May 1972, Page 10.
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