The Three Sisters (1957)

Left to right: Qin Qi, Diana Chang, Mai Ling

While we're on the topic of Mai Ling and Asia Pictures, here are some photos from the movie program for The Three Sisters (1957). Not only was it Mai Ling's first film (barring any uncredited appearances she might have made in the studio's previous films), but it was also Taiwan star Diana Chang's first Hong Kong movie. While most people today have probably forgotten about The Three Sisters, many will recognize Diana's hit song, "Barbecue Pork Buns" — thanks, no doubt, to the modern remixes of Stephen Chow and Ian Widgery.

I don't know if the film survives, but from the synopsis I've read, it sounds like a classic story of the older versus younger generation, with the outcome tipped slightly in favor of the new. Qin Qi plays the uptight elder sister, a music teacher and classically trained singer, who disapproves of second sister Diana Chang, who aspires to be a nightclub singer and goes out with "Teddy Boy" King Hu. Mai Ling plays the youngest sister, who with the help of mom tries to bring the family back together again.


Mai Ling and Diana Chang hanging out with "Teddy Boy" (and future wuxia auteur) King Hu


What mischief is little sister Mai Ling up to?


King Hu looking not quite fit enough for the challenge of handling bombshell Diana Chang


How to save a family torn apart by the mambo


Veteran Shanghai director Bu Wancang with Qin Qi, Diana Chang, and Mai Ling

My Girl, Mai Ling

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.

Mai Ling: Tomboy in Pink

I love the reserved, slightly defiant look of Mai Ling on this cover of Screenland. The pink dress and pink plastic flowers can't cover up the motorcycle-riding tomboy. There's a hint of unwillingness on Ah Ling's part to play the expected role of eager young starlet, whether innocent or sexy. Maybe that's why she remained a second string player for most of her career.

It takes more than just beauty and talent to become a superstar. Besides simple luck, it helps to have connections and the shrewdness to use them. Take for example "Little Darling" Kitty Ting Hao, whose relationship with MP&GI general manager Robert Chung enabled her to climb the studio ladder. Knowing that, it's a little hard to stomach her innocent country girl act in the following clip from Beauty Parade (1961). Call me biased, but I'd much rather see more of Mai Ling, one of the "mean girls" in the film.



* Thanks to Oldflames for the cover!

Motor Maid Mai Ling

Oldflames has definitely fanned the flames of my fascination for Mai Ling with this awesome photo of her and her motorcycle — does anyone know what make it is? — from the cover of The Asia Pictorial (August 1957).

I love Ah Ling's look and style, especially her signet ring with the cursive L. She's so cool!

Little Star Mai Ling

Here's a sweet portrait of Mai Ling that I found in New Screen No. 2 (1959), where she also appeared in the company of Betty Loh Tih, Kitty Ting Hao, and Landi Chang in a feature titled "The Superstars of Tomorrow" (PDF). Although she was a rising star in the late 50s, Mai Ling's career never really took off and she ended up being a second-tier supporting actress until her retirement in 1965.

But maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. While Loh Tih did indeed become a bona fide superstar in the 60s, her offscreen life wasn't so bright. In 1968, she took her own life, as did Ting Hao the previous year. Fame can be a fickle and cruel master.

A few months ago I posted a clip from a 1960 film called The Two Generations (one of only three movies featuring the sexy Nanyang songstress Yang Pei Yun). Well, it just so happens that the film also stars Mai Ling. After seeing my recent post about Mai Ling and her scooter, YouTuber SHUESIK kindly compiled a few of her scenes and posted them online. Guess who rides up on her scooter in the first scene!

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the lovely Mai Ling...

Hong Kong Scooter Girl Mai Ling

Nothing says "mod" like a scooter. Here's Mai Ling from Screenland No. 9 (June 1960). Doesn't she look smart in her striped capris, checkered sweater, wedge slides, headscarf, and black gloves?

I wish I knew more about Mai Ling. She has always caught my attention whenever I've seen her in the pages of movie magazines. Her debut was Three Sisters (1957), which was also Diana Chang's first Hong Kong movie. After that she seems to have settled into second-string roles in both Mandarin films (at MP&GI) and Cantonese films. Her last movie was MP&GI's Fairy, Ghost, Vixen (1965).





* A scan of the original article is available here.