豪華世家 (1954)

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豪華世家 (1954)

The Noble Family

Reviewed by: dleedlee
Date: 12/02/2003

Another successful pairing of Pak Yin and Cheung Wood Yau this time in a domestic comedy.

The opening scene establishes the pair as pranksters and tricksters. From there, it's game on as the tricks and treats pile up.

Returning from overseas studies (in a rare oceanliner scene) the two dream of opening a hospital and curing the ill. Instead, Lung (Cheung Wood Yau) is called upon by his aunt to cure his wayward cousin Chueng (Lee Ngau) who is ruining the family business. Sau-Lan (Pak Yin) is persuaded to seduce the cousin, reluctantly at first, but then she takes on the role with gusto. Her job is to separate the cousin and Mui Yee who along with Ko Lo-Chuen are hired swindlers. Sau-Lan becomes too sucessfull when the cousin wants to marry Sau-Lan. Everyone has some scam going but you won't feel cheated for watching this very fun film.

Pak Yin is positively enchanting when goes into full seductress mode. Lee Ngau, who I believe is also a noted screenwriter/playwright, is very good as the cousin.

Chow Chi-Sing (fast becoming one of my favorite character actors) plays the cousin's gambling crony and Lee Yuet-Ching is the wayward cousin's mother.

The film opens and closes with a ripping version of Jingle Bells played on slide guitar.

Reviewer Score: 7