Shown above is a novelty centerfold from Southern Screen No. 31 (September, 1960) that opens to reveal the resolution of the romantic triangle in Kiss Me Again (1960), Fanny Fan's second Mandarin film. Of course, with "jade girl" Grace Ting Ning in the picture, it's a given that Fanny plays the role of "the other woman".
Kiss Me Again was made by veteran director Bu Wancang, who got his start in 1920s Shanghai. It was Bu who recognized the talent of Ruan Lingyu and cast her as the lead in her debut film, The Couple in Name (1926). He directed her again in Love and Duty (1931), The Peach Girl (1931), A Spray of Plum Blossoms (1931), and Three Modern Women (1933).
Ruan wasn't the only actress that Bu launched into stardom. Grace Chang and Chung Ching were both his discoveries, and Diana Chang Chung-wen's Hong Kong debut Three Sisters (1957) was directed by him.
From 1957 to 1961 Bu worked for Shaw Brothers, and in 1960 he even directed three films for rival MP&GI. While none of his Shaw Brothers films are among those recently restored and released on DVD, two of his MP&GI films — Dreams Come True (1960) and The Bedside Story (1960) — are fortunately available. Both films are romantic comedies with a light satiric touch and prove his mastery of whatever genre he worked in.
Given Bu's track record of bringing out the best in budding actresses, it goes without saying that I would love to see what kind of performance he was able to elicit from Fanny Fan in Kiss Me Again. Maybe I'm just tilting at windmills, but I'm determined to prove that Fanny had more talents than just her curves (and her boldness in baring them). Just call me Dave Quixote!
Anyway, here are two articles about Kiss Me Again from Southern Screen magazine.
THE SECOND KISS
Shaw's latest romance opens with a kiss and fades out with a kiss.
But in between the two kisses a powerful drama of human emotions and tragic love is unfolded on the screen.
Starring Shaw stars Ting Ning and Fanny Fan in their first film opposite handsome leading man Chao Lei, the movie is one to tug at one's heart strings.
Ting Ning, Fanny Fan and Chao Lei are the three parties in a triangular love affair, with movie bad man Hung Por trying to edge in by wooing Fanny Fan.
Ting Ning after her successes in "Enchanted Melody", "Rendezvous in the South Seas" and "My Daughter, My Daughter", and Fanny Fan whose "Pink Murder" shot her to fame, are cast again in roles that are tailor-made for their talents.
The movie is directed by veteran Po Wan-chang, who calls on his years of movie experience to give yet another masterpiece to Mandarin movie audiences.
—from Southern Screen No. 29 (July, 1960)
Original article available here
KISS ME AGAIN
Shaw Studio's latest love story to be told on the screen is "Kiss Me Again", which stars two young Shaws stars Ting Ning and Fanny Fan opposite Chao Lei.
Ting Ning plays a young woman who had been orphaned in her childhood. For the first time in her young life she finds happiness when handsome Chao Lei returns her love.
But they have not reckoned with Ting Ning's cousin Fanny Fan, a scheming possessive type who is also in love with Chao Lei and is determined to have him for her own.
The film directed by veteran Po Wan-chang revolves around the scheming efforts of Fanny Fan to wreck the romance of Chao Lei and Ting Ning.
—from Southern Screen No. 30 (August, 1960)
Original article available here
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