Hong Kong star fights to become silver screen queen in 1960s after years in martial arts films
At 71, Connie Chan reflects on a life in film that saw her play boys in martial arts dramas, transform into a teen idol, retire early and come back for a stage play
In the 1960s, film star Connie Chan Po-chu was at the peak of her popularity, setting a record by shooting 32 movies in a single year.
That year was 1967. Chan, then 20, had transformed into a beauty queen in Hong Kong after years of playing male roles in martial art movies. Her new image, characterised by her long, dark hair and mini skirt, captured the hearts of the post-war generation.
Chan was also a teen idol and appeared prominently in the local media, with publications featuring her selling like hot cakes.
She retired from the film industry in the 1970s with an impressive 230 movies under her belt, remembering best the last one in 1972, The Lizard. “Bruce Lee called on us during the shooting at Shaw Brothers Studio; he was really charismatic and we took pictures together,” she recalled.
She made a comeback in 1999, almost three decades later, appearing in a theatrical drama. The production broke records by running 137 shows in total.
Now 71, Chan is surprisingly humble when her accolades, recently published in a three-volume luxury set, are brought up – unexpected in a top celebrity. “I’m afraid my life doesn’t have much excitement for you to write about,” she said at the beginning of an exclusive interview with the Post.
“Don’t listen to what my fans have to say; they are anything but objective,” she added.