Maybe it's just because her best films, the ones she made for Shaw Brothers between 1957 and 1961, are languishing in a dark vault somewhere, but Patricia Lam Fung has quickly become my number one cause and latest favorite star.
Here she is, the "Jewel of Shaw", in a 1963 advertisement for Philips. This stunning photo shows Patricia in full movie queen mode, rivaling Li Lihua, Lin Dai, and Loh Tih in elegance and sophistication, all the while retaining her characteristic warmth and openness.
I've said this before, and I will keep on saying it until the situation changes: the neglect shown towards Lam Fung's early films is, besides baffling, simply inexcusable.
To help you understand why I am so upset by this, imagine if Audrey Hepburn's films were locked away, never to be seen again. This is what I'm talking about. Patricia Lam Fung is that huge and that important to Hong Kong cinema.
Let me state it plain and clear: Lam Fung's Shaw films need to be restored and made available to the public. Besides all of her original fans who are dying to see these beloved classics once again, there are new fans like myself who have become enchanted with Patricia solely through old photos and movie magazines.
Lam Fung is ripe for a new audience. Don't keep her brilliance trapped inside a rusting film can. Unleash the "Jewel"! Let Patricia Lam light up our lives!
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A great big thanks to Oldflames for the scan, the title, the info, and the inspiration!
