I must admit that I really identify with Peng Peng's Pigsy in the Shaw Brothers' Journey to the West films. After watching the supremely silly Land of Many Perfumes (1968), I felt a deep compassion for my Inner Pigsy. In the face of this delightful song by Peng Peng, so uninhibited and unashamed, my male-bashing super-ego immediately dissolved into a giant smile of loving kindness.
As chance would have it, there's an issue of Asia Entertainments currently for sale on eBay that has an article about Peng Peng (and the equally well-endowed Leung Sing Po and Lie En Jia). It says that Peng Peng was also the leader of Shaws' house band. And sure enough, there is a wonderful scene of him playing guitar (and tap dancing!) at a house party in Hong Kong Rhapsody (1968). I wish Shaw's musicals featured more scenes like this and less of the stilted stage and fashion shows that always seem to figure as the grand finale. Keep an eye out for the bright and beaming Allyson Chang Yen (in the green dress), who crashes the party with her friends midway through the clip. Yeah... keep singing and dancing!
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