Oldflames is always on the lookout for the things that make me happy, like these two rare magazine covers featuring my favorite star-who-never-made-it Mai Ling. Ever since she scootered her way into my heart last summer, I've become her number one fan.
The Asia Pictorial, the magazine at the bottom of this post, was published by Asia Press, an affiliate of the Asia News Agency, an American-supported organization created to counter Communist influence in Hong Kong and the Chinese communities overseas. Asia News Agency also established a film studio, Asia Pictures, which is where Mai Ling got her start. Unfortunately for her, the studio closed in 1958, after the withdrawal of U.S. funding.
Asia Pictures certainly didn't lack for talent: directors Tang Huang and Bu Wancang and stars Grace Chang, Peter Chen Ho, Chung Ching, and Diana Chang were among those who worked for the studio. Its nine films included The Long Lane (1956), which won Best Screenplay at the 3rd Southeast Asia Film Festival, and Mai Ling's first and only film as a leading lady, The Shoeshine Boy, directed by Shanghai veteran Bu Wancang and co-starring King Hu. Neorealist but with an anti-union message, The Shoeshine Boy competed in the 5th Asian Film Festival (1958) yet evidently wasn't released in Hong Kong until the following year.
After Asia Pictures folded, Mai Ling — with just two pictures under her belt — had to look for work. She found parts in a couple of Cantonese films before being taken under the wing of Tang Huang, who had moved on to Cathay/MP&GI. Cathay's stable was already full of established stars, so it's no surprise that Mai Ling didn't get another chance as leading lady. From 1961 to 1965, she made 7 films at Cathay, while continuing to make Cantonese films on the side (including one with Patricia Lam Fung at Shaw's Cantonese division).
Sometime in early 1964, Mai Ling got married, and hopefully lived a happy life away from the silver screen. Even though she never joined the ranks of well remembered stars like Grace Chang, Lucilla Yu Ming, and Julie Yeh Feng, Mai Ling will always have a special place in the heart of this Hong Kong movie fan.
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