Shih Kien
Encyclopedia
Shek Wing-cheung better known as Shih Kien, was a Chinese actor from Hong Kong. He is sometimes credited as Shek Kin (Cantonese pronunciation) or Kien Shih (in the Western order). Shih is most noted for playing the roles of antagonists in several early Hong Kong
Wuxia
and martial arts film
s that dated back to the black-and-white
period, and best known to Western audiences for his portrayal of the primary villain, Han, in Bruce Lee
's 1973 martial arts epic Enter the Dragon
.
's Chin Woo Athletic Association
(founded by Huo Yuanjia
) and was among the first generation of students at the school to be certified as instructors. After becoming certified to teach styles including Eagle Claw and Choy Li Fut, he decided to start his career as an actor. However, the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War
caused his studies to be disrupted. Shih and his friends travelled between Guangzhou
and Hong Kong to stage drama performances, in order to raise funds as part of the anti-Japanese movement. Besides acting on stage, Shih also participated in back-stage activities, such as makeup and arrangements of lighting and props.
makeup artist Sit Kok-Sin, before becoming an actor later. Shih starred as a Japanese secret agent in his debut film Flower in the Sea of Blood that year. Nine years later, Shih was invited by film director Wu Pang to work with him on a series of Wong Fei-hung-related films. Shih gained fame for his portrayal of the villains in those films and continued to play the role of the antagonist in several films during the first 20 years of his career. Shih's iconic "villain laughter" in the films was later mimicked and parodied by several actors.
In 1973, Shih Kien was chosen to portray the villain in Bruce Lee
's martial arts epic Enter the Dragon
, in which he played Han, a one-handed gang boss who is highly-skilled in martial arts. His character had a final showdown with Bruce Lee's character in the ending climax of the film.
In 1975, Shih Kien joined the Hong Kong TV station TVB
and appeared in several Wuxia
-themed TV series, playing the roles of villains again most of the time. However, he had also played the roles of gentlemanly, kind and fatherly characters, such as Cheung Mo-kei
's godfather Tse Shun in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
(1978), Lung Koon-sam in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1979), So Tai-pang in The Brothers (1980) and a grandfather in The Feud of Two Brothers (1986). Shih Kien had also taken on dramatic roles in non-Wuxia films as well, such as Hong Kong 1941
. Later in his career, Shih took on a comedic role with Jackie Chan
in The Young Master
.
In 1980, Shih was invited to participate in filming a TV commercial to promote Ricola
's mint candy products with his popular image of a film villain.
Shih received the Life Achievement Award in 1996 at the Golden Bauhinia Awards
. Seven years later in 2003, Shih received the Professional Achievement Award at the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards
with the late actor Cho Tat-wah
, who used to play the role of the hero in several films they starred together in. In 2006, Shih donated one of his properties to the entertainment industry in support of the development of the industry. Between January and February 2007, the Hong Kong Film Archive
showed 13 of Shih Kien's films that were preserved at the archive.
Shih died of kidney failure on 3 June 2009 at the age of 96. At the time of his death, Shih was believed to be one of the oldest living successful actors in China.
after being influenced by Lee, a devout Christian. Lee died of heart failure in August 1998.
period drama
-comedy series Men Don't Cry
.
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
Wuxia
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
and martial arts film
Martial arts film
Martial arts film is a film genre. A sub-genre of the action film, martial arts films contain numerous fights between characters, usually as the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often as a method of storytelling and character expression and development. Martial arts are frequently...
s that dated back to the black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
period, and best known to Western audiences for his portrayal of the primary villain, Han, in Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
's 1973 martial arts epic Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
.
Early life
Shih Kien was raised by his stepmother and was a sickly child. He decided to practise martial arts to improve his health and trained for nine years. Shih trained at ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
's Chin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association is a Chinese martial arts association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc....
(founded by Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia was a Chinese martial artist and co-founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association, a martial arts school in Shanghai...
) and was among the first generation of students at the school to be certified as instructors. After becoming certified to teach styles including Eagle Claw and Choy Li Fut, he decided to start his career as an actor. However, the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
caused his studies to be disrupted. Shih and his friends travelled between Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
and Hong Kong to stage drama performances, in order to raise funds as part of the anti-Japanese movement. Besides acting on stage, Shih also participated in back-stage activities, such as makeup and arrangements of lighting and props.
Career
In 1940, Shih Kien officially entered the entertainment industry as an apprentice of the Cantonese operaCantonese opera
Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Cantonese culture. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing,...
makeup artist Sit Kok-Sin, before becoming an actor later. Shih starred as a Japanese secret agent in his debut film Flower in the Sea of Blood that year. Nine years later, Shih was invited by film director Wu Pang to work with him on a series of Wong Fei-hung-related films. Shih gained fame for his portrayal of the villains in those films and continued to play the role of the antagonist in several films during the first 20 years of his career. Shih's iconic "villain laughter" in the films was later mimicked and parodied by several actors.
In 1973, Shih Kien was chosen to portray the villain in Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
's martial arts epic Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
, in which he played Han, a one-handed gang boss who is highly-skilled in martial arts. His character had a final showdown with Bruce Lee's character in the ending climax of the film.
In 1975, Shih Kien joined the Hong Kong TV station TVB
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
and appeared in several Wuxia
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
-themed TV series, playing the roles of villains again most of the time. However, he had also played the roles of gentlemanly, kind and fatherly characters, such as Cheung Mo-kei
Zhang Wuji
Zhang Wuji is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber by Jin Yong.-Early life:Zhang was born on Ice Fire Island to Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu. He is named by his godfather, Xie Xun, in memory of Xie's deceased son, Xie Wuji...
's godfather Tse Shun in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1978 TV series)
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1978.-Cast:*Adam Cheng as Cheung Mo-kei**Wong Tsung-chi as young Cheung Mo-kei...
(1978), Lung Koon-sam in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1979), So Tai-pang in The Brothers (1980) and a grandfather in The Feud of Two Brothers (1986). Shih Kien had also taken on dramatic roles in non-Wuxia films as well, such as Hong Kong 1941
Hong Kong 1941
Hong Kong 1941 is a 1983 Hong Kong film, directed by Leong Po-Chih and written by Sammo Hung.-Synopsis:The film takes places shortly before and during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II...
. Later in his career, Shih took on a comedic role with Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
in The Young Master
The Young Master
The Young Master is a 1980 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by and starring Jackie Chan as Dragon.The film is notable for being the first that Jackie Chan worked on for Golden Harvest, and despite being his second film as director , this is often incorrectly credited as his directorial...
.
In 1980, Shih was invited to participate in filming a TV commercial to promote Ricola
Ricola
Ricola Ltd./Ricola AG is a well known manufacturer of cough drops and breath mints in Switzerland. The company focuses primarily on using herbal ingredients. The head office of Ricola is located in Laufen, Basel-Country.-History:...
's mint candy products with his popular image of a film villain.
Retirement and death
Shih Kien retired from the entertainment industry in 1992, with the 1994 film HK Adam's Family (奸人世家) specially dedicated to him. He appeared in the 2003 documentary Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong at the age of 90.Shih received the Life Achievement Award in 1996 at the Golden Bauhinia Awards
Golden Bauhinia Awards
Golden Bauhinia Awards is a Hong Kong film award organised by the Hong Kong Film Critics Association. Its first award presentation ceremony took place in 1996....
. Seven years later in 2003, Shih received the Professional Achievement Award at the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards
22nd Hong Kong Film Awards
The ceremony for the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards was held on 6 April 2003 in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and hosted by Eric Tsang, John Shum, Athena Chu and Anna Yau. Twenty-seven winners in nineteen categories were unveiled...
with the late actor Cho Tat-wah
Cho Tat-wah
Cho Tat-wah or Tso Tat-wah was a film actor of Hong Kong, most famous for the roles he played in a number of Wuxia films in the 1950s and 1960s....
, who used to play the role of the hero in several films they starred together in. In 2006, Shih donated one of his properties to the entertainment industry in support of the development of the industry. Between January and February 2007, the Hong Kong Film Archive
Hong Kong Film Archive
Hong Kong Film Archive is located at 50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong .It was opened in January 2001 and it is now under the management of Leisure and Cultural Service Department...
showed 13 of Shih Kien's films that were preserved at the archive.
Shih died of kidney failure on 3 June 2009 at the age of 96. At the time of his death, Shih was believed to be one of the oldest living successful actors in China.
Personal life
Shih married Lee Kit-ying in 1936 and they have four sons and two daughters. Shih was initially a non-believer and he converted to Christianity and was baptizedBaptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
after being influenced by Lee, a devout Christian. Lee died of heart failure in August 1998.
Popular culture
In Hong Kong, the term "Kan Yan Kin" was a popular reference to Shih Kien. This nickname was borrowed as the Chinese title for the 2007 TVBTelevision Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
period drama
Costume drama
A costume drama or period drama is a period piece in which elaborate costumes, sets and properties are featured in order to capture the ambiance of a particular era.The term is usually used in the context of film and television...
-comedy series Men Don't Cry
Men Don't Cry
Men Don't Cry is a TVB period comedy series broadcast in October 2007. The series is shown to celebrate TVB's 40th Anniversary...
.
Films
- The True Story of Wong Fei Hung (1949)
- Story of the Vulture ConquerorStory of the Vulture ConquerorStory of the Vulture Conqueror is a two-part Hong Kong film adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. The first part was released in 1958 while the second part was released in the following year...
(1958 / 1959) - Sword of Blood and ValourSword of Blood and ValourSword of Blood and Valour is a 1958 / 1959 two-part Hong Kong film based on Louis Cha's novel Sword Stained with Royal Blood.-Cast:*Cho Tat-wah as Yuen Sing-chi**Shek Sau as young Yuen Sing-chi*Sheung-koon Kwan-wai as Wan Ching-ching...
(1958 / 1959) - Story of the White-haired Demon GirlStory of the White-haired Demon GirlStory of the White-haired Demon Girl is a three-part 1959 Hong Kong film adapted from Liang Yusheng's novel Baifa Monü Zhuan. The film was directed by Lee Fa and starred Law Yim-hing and Cheung Ying.-Cast:*Law Yim-hing as Lin Ngai-seung...
(1959) (3 parts) - The Book and the SwordThe Book and the Sword (1960 film)The Book and the Sword is a 1960 Hong Kong film based on Louis Cha's novel The Book and the Sword. Directed and written by Lee Sun-fung, the film was divided into two parts, respectively released on May 4 and June 9 in 1960 in Hong Kong.-Cast:...
(1960) - The Story of the Great HeroesThe Story of the Great HeroesThe Story of the Great Heroes, also known as The Great Heroes, is a four-part Hong Kong film adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Return of the Condor Heroes...
(1960–1961) (4 parts) - Story of the Sword and the SabreStory of the Sword and the SabreStory of the Sword and the Sabre is a four-part Hong Kong film released in 1963 and 1965. The film was adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber...
(1963/1965) (4 parts) - The Flying Fox in the Snowy MountainsThe Flying Fox in the Snowy MountainsThe Flying Fox in the Snowy Mountains is a two-part 1964 Hong Kong film based on Louis Cha's novel Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain. The film was produced by Emei Film Company and directed by Lee Fa.-External links: on Baidu Baike...
(1964) - The Flying FoxThe Flying Fox (film)The Flying Fox, also known as The Purple Lightning Sword, is a 1964 Hong Kong wuxia film produced by Gam Wing and directed by Siu Sang.-Cast:*Yu So-chow as Tik Siu-ching*Cheung Ying-choi as Man Lei-wan*Connie Chan as Tung-fong Ming...
(1964) - Story of a Discharged PrisonerStory of a Discharged PrisonerStory of a Discharged Prisoner is a 1967 Hong Kong film directed by Patrick Lung Kong.The film partially inspired the 1986 John Woo film A Better Tomorrow, which has the same Chinese name.-Cast and roles:...
(1967) - The Comet StrikesThe Comet StrikesThe Comet Strikes is a 1971 Hong Kong action horror film directed by Lo Wei for Golden Harvest.-Plot:There was a civil strife in the court. In order to protect the king, some loyal ministers and the king hid in an old house. This old house was known as a haunted house; whoever lived in the house...
(1971) - Enter the DragonEnter the DragonEnter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
(1973) - Drunken MasterDrunken MasterDrunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
(1978) - The Young MasterThe Young MasterThe Young Master is a 1980 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by and starring Jackie Chan as Dragon.The film is notable for being the first that Jackie Chan worked on for Golden Harvest, and despite being his second film as director , this is often incorrectly credited as his directorial...
(1980) - Hong Kong 1941Hong Kong 1941Hong Kong 1941 is a 1983 Hong Kong film, directed by Leong Po-Chih and written by Sammo Hung.-Synopsis:The film takes places shortly before and during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II...
(1984) - Millionaire's ExpressMillionaire's ExpressMillionaire's Express aka. Shanghai Express is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action western film written and directed by Sammo Hung. Film starred Hung, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Mei-sheng Fan and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(1986) - Magic Crystal (1986)
- Aces Go Places 4Aces Go Places 4Aces go Places 4 also known in the United States as Mad Mission 4: You Never Die Twice is a 1986 Hong Kong action-comedy film directed by Ringo Lam, and starring Sam Hui and Karl Maka.-Cast:* Sam Hui - King Kong* Karl Maka - Albert Au...
(1986) - A Better Tommorow 3 (1989)
TV series
- The Legend of the Book and the SwordThe Legend of the Book and the Sword (1976 TV series)The Legend of the Book and the Sword is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Book and the Sword. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1976.-Cast:*Adam Cheng as Chan Ka-lok / Kin-lung Emperor...
(1976) - The Heaven Sword and Dragon SaberThe Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1978 TV series)The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1978.-Cast:*Adam Cheng as Cheung Mo-kei**Wong Tsung-chi as young Cheung Mo-kei...
(1978) - Chor Lau-heung (1979)
- Demi-Gods and Semi-DevilsDemi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1982 TV series)Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is a 1982 Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. The 50 episodes long series is divided into two parts, with their Chinese titles as 天龍八部之六脈神劍 and 天龍八部之虛竹傳奇 respectively.-Cast:*Bryan Leung...
(1982) - The Legend of the Condor HeroesThe Legend of the Condor Heroes (1982 TV Series)-Track list:-Production:According to the behind-the-scenes featurette on the DVD, the Mongolian scenes were filmed in Lantau Island, Hong Kong....
(1982) - The Smiling, Proud WandererThe Smiling, Proud Wanderer (1984 TV series)The Smiling, Proud Wanderer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong from in 1984.-Cast:*Chow Yun-fat as Ling-wu Chung*Rebecca Chan as Yam Ying-ying...
(1984) - Sword Stained with Royal BloodSword Stained with Royal Blood (1985 TV series)Sword Stained with Royal Blood is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1985.-Cast:*Felix Wong as Yun Sing-chi**Fung Chi-fung as young Yun Sing-chi...
(1985) - The Flying Fox of Snowy MountainThe Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain (1985 TV series)The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novels Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain and Other Tales of the Flying Fox...
(1985)
External links
- HKMDB entry
- lovehkfilm entry
- hkcinemagic entry
- Obituary by the Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
- Pay tribute to Shih Kien