Yuan Muzhi
Encyclopedia
Yuan Muzhi (March 3, 1909 – January 30, 1978) was an actor
and director
from the Republic of China
and later of the People's Republic of China
.
. These included the film Plunder of Peach and Plum
(1935) (which Yuan also wrote) and the movie
Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm
(1935) where he was one of the two original singers (along with Gu Menghe) of the movie's theme song, The March of the Volunteers
, which later became the national anthem of China.
His career eventually brought him to director's chair. Yuan's filmmaking debut, the innovative musical comedy Scenes of City Life
(1935) (Dushi fengguang), was one of the earliest non-silent features made in China, as the Shanghai industry was finally transitioning to sound. The film's blend of screwball humor and romance reflected Yuan's harsh, documentary style social observations of middle class existence in the failing economy in Great Depression
-era Shanghai. The father of one main character is a pawn shop owner, who in one humorous scene, is so hard up for cash himself-- since no one has any money left to reclaim their pawned goods-- he even attempts to pawn items from his own shop with another proprietor. The opening of the film features an extended montage of Shanghai's new, modern cityscape of the time, and its landmarks, such as neon signs, theatre marquees, and the Shanghai Cathedral. Jiang Qing
, the future wife of Mao Zedong
, appeared in a relatively minor role in the film. She would later lead the denunciation of many of Yuan's leftist colleagues in the Shanghai filmmaking scene, accusing them of being rightists
, destroying their careers and lives.
Yuan's second film, Street Angel
(1937) (Malu tianshi), starred then-unknown Zhou Xuan
, who performed He Luting
's popular songs written for the film, "Song of the Four Seasons" and "The Wandering Songstress
", and became one of China's most adored divas for the remainder of her life. Street Angel is considered one of the most important Chinese films of all time, a highlight of the "second generation" of Chinese cinema. An experimental blend of comedy and tragedy, Yuan's story followed a group of young friends whose lack of financial means and social status frustrated their dreams of happiness, including a girl singer, her prostitute sister, and her soldier lover, home briefly between fighting the Japanese occupying north China. The film, released shortly before Japan invaded Shanghai and initiated the Second Sino-Japanese War
in summer 1937, became a massive hit with audiences. Subsequently, Street Angel was seen to mark one of the last products of the "golden age of Chinese cinema" of the 1930s, before artists were forced to retreat to Shanghai's foreign concessions and finally came under Japanese propaganda control.
Yuan also continued to act in roles, notably Eight Hundred Heroes (1938) depicting the events of the Defense of Sihang Warehouse
.
After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Yuan continued to be a major figure in the film industry, helping to found Dongbei Film Studio
, which eventually became the first state-controlled production companies
in the People's Republic of China
.
Yuan was a delegate to the first National People's Congress
and the third Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
from the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
and later of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
Career
As an actor, Yuan became extremely popular and took on the nickname "man with a thousand faces." He gained prominence in a series of films for the leftist Diantong Film CompanyDiantong Film Company
Diantong Film Company was a short-lived but important film studio and production company during the 1930s in Shanghai, China. Though it produced only four films during its existence between 1934-1935, all four films became important examples of the left-leaning Chinese cinema of the 1930s...
. These included the film Plunder of Peach and Plum
Plunder of Peach and Plum
Plunder of Peach and Plum is an early Chinese sound film from 1934. Produced by the left-leaning Shanghai-based Diantong Film Company, Plunder was directed by Ying Yunwei and starred popular actor Yuan Muzhi...
(1935) (which Yuan also wrote) and the movie
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm
Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm
-External links:* at the Chinese Movie Database...
(1935) where he was one of the two original singers (along with Gu Menghe) of the movie's theme song, The March of the Volunteers
March of the Volunteers
March of the Volunteers is the national anthem of the People's Republic of China , written by the noted poet and playwright Tian Han with music composed by Nie Er. This composition is a musical march...
, which later became the national anthem of China.
His career eventually brought him to director's chair. Yuan's filmmaking debut, the innovative musical comedy Scenes of City Life
Scenes of City Life
Scenes of City Life is a 1935 Chinese film directed by Yuan Muzhi.The film is also known, in English, as Cityscape.- Cast :*Bai Lu*Lan Ping *Tang Na*Wu Ying*Zhou Boxun*Wu Yinxian...
(1935) (Dushi fengguang), was one of the earliest non-silent features made in China, as the Shanghai industry was finally transitioning to sound. The film's blend of screwball humor and romance reflected Yuan's harsh, documentary style social observations of middle class existence in the failing economy in Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
-era Shanghai. The father of one main character is a pawn shop owner, who in one humorous scene, is so hard up for cash himself-- since no one has any money left to reclaim their pawned goods-- he even attempts to pawn items from his own shop with another proprietor. The opening of the film features an extended montage of Shanghai's new, modern cityscape of the time, and its landmarks, such as neon signs, theatre marquees, and the Shanghai Cathedral. Jiang Qing
Jiang Qing
Jiang Qing was the pseudonym that was used by Chinese leader Mao Zedong's last wife and major Communist Party of China power figure. She went by the stage name Lan Ping during her acting career, and was known by various other names during her life...
, the future wife of Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
, appeared in a relatively minor role in the film. She would later lead the denunciation of many of Yuan's leftist colleagues in the Shanghai filmmaking scene, accusing them of being rightists
Anti-Rightist Movement
The Anti-Rightist Movement of the People's Republic of China in the 1950s and early 1960s consisted of a series of campaigns to purge alleged "rightists" within the Communist Party of China and abroad...
, destroying their careers and lives.
Yuan's second film, Street Angel
Street Angel (1937 film)
Street Angel is a Chinese film released in 1937. The film was directed by Yuan Muzhi and stars the popular singer Zhou Xuan.-Synopsis:The film deals with two sisters, Xiao Hong and Xiao Yun who have fled from the war in Northeast China to Shanghai, where they are living under the brutal thumb of...
(1937) (Malu tianshi), starred then-unknown Zhou Xuan
Zhou Xuan
Zhou Xuan was a popular Chinese singer and film actress. By the 1940s, she had become one of China's seven great singing stars. She is probably the most well-known of the seven, as she had a concurrent movie career until 1953.-Biography:...
, who performed He Luting
He Lüting
He Luting was a Chinese composer of the early 20th century...
's popular songs written for the film, "Song of the Four Seasons" and "The Wandering Songstress
The Wandering Songstress
"The Wandering Songstress" was one of two theme songs from the 1937 Chinese film Street Angel; the other song was "Four Seasons Song"...
", and became one of China's most adored divas for the remainder of her life. Street Angel is considered one of the most important Chinese films of all time, a highlight of the "second generation" of Chinese cinema. An experimental blend of comedy and tragedy, Yuan's story followed a group of young friends whose lack of financial means and social status frustrated their dreams of happiness, including a girl singer, her prostitute sister, and her soldier lover, home briefly between fighting the Japanese occupying north China. The film, released shortly before Japan invaded Shanghai and initiated 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...
in summer 1937, became a massive hit with audiences. Subsequently, Street Angel was seen to mark one of the last products of the "golden age of Chinese cinema" of the 1930s, before artists were forced to retreat to Shanghai's foreign concessions and finally came under Japanese propaganda control.
Yuan also continued to act in roles, notably Eight Hundred Heroes (1938) depicting the events of the Defense of Sihang Warehouse
Defense of Sihang Warehouse
The Defense of Sihang Warehouse took place from October 26 to November 1, 1937, and marked the beginning of the end of the three-month Battle of Shanghai in the opening phase of the Second Sino-Japanese War...
.
After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Yuan continued to be a major figure in the film industry, helping to found Dongbei Film Studio
Northeast Film Studio
Northeast Film Studio was one of the first formally-established movie production company in the northeast part of China.-Early history:After the War of Resistance against Japan the studio was established in the Dongbei territory of China. On October 1, 1946 the studio was relocated to Xingshan in...
, which eventually became the first state-controlled production companies
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
Yuan was a delegate to the first National People's Congress
National People's Congress
The National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
and the third Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [], shortened as 人民政协, Rénmín Zhèngxié, i.e. "People's PCC"; or just 政协, Zhèngxié, i.e. "The PCC"), abbreviated CPPCC, is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China...
.
Actor
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 1934 in film -Events:*January 26 - Samuel Goldwyn purchases the film rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the L. Frank Baum estate for $40,000.*February 19 - Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade... |
Plunder of Peach and Plum Plunder of Peach and Plum Plunder of Peach and Plum is an early Chinese sound film from 1934. Produced by the left-leaning Shanghai-based Diantong Film Company, Plunder was directed by Ying Yunwei and starred popular actor Yuan Muzhi... |
桃李劫 | Tao |
| 1935 1935 in film -Events:*Judy Garland signs a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .*Seven year old Shirley Temple wins a special Academy Award.*The Bantu Educational Kinema Experiment started in order to educate the Bantu peoples.-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:... |
Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm -External links:* at the Chinese Movie Database... |
風雲兒女 | Xin Baihe |
| 1935 1935 in film -Events:*Judy Garland signs a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .*Seven year old Shirley Temple wins a special Academy Award.*The Bantu Educational Kinema Experiment started in order to educate the Bantu peoples.-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:... |
Scenes of City Life Scenes of City Life Scenes of City Life is a 1935 Chinese film directed by Yuan Muzhi.The film is also known, in English, as Cityscape.- Cast :*Bai Lu*Lan Ping *Tang Na*Wu Ying*Zhou Boxun*Wu Yinxian... |
都市风光 | |
| 1936 1936 in film The year 1936 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 29 - Fritz Lang's first Hollywood film Fury, starring Spencer Tracy and Bruce Cabot, is released.*November 6 - first Porky Pig animated cartoon... |
Unchanged Heart in Life and Death | 生死同心 | |
| 1938 1938 in film The year 1938 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*January — MGM announces that Judy Garland would be cast in the role of "Dorothy" in the upcoming Wizard of Oz motion picture. Ray Bolger is cast as the "Tinman" and Buddy Ebsen is cast as the "Scarecrow". At Bolger's insistence,... |
The Eight Hundred Heroes | 八百壮士 | |
Director
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 1935 in film -Events:*Judy Garland signs a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .*Seven year old Shirley Temple wins a special Academy Award.*The Bantu Educational Kinema Experiment started in order to educate the Bantu peoples.-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:... |
Scenes of City Life Scenes of City Life Scenes of City Life is a 1935 Chinese film directed by Yuan Muzhi.The film is also known, in English, as Cityscape.- Cast :*Bai Lu*Lan Ping *Tang Na*Wu Ying*Zhou Boxun*Wu Yinxian... |
都市风光 | Also known as Cityscape |
| 1937 1937 in film The year 1937 in film involved some significant events, including the Walt Disney production of the first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.- Events :*April 16 - Way Out West premieres in the US.... |
Street Angel Street Angel (1937 film) Street Angel is a Chinese film released in 1937. The film was directed by Yuan Muzhi and stars the popular singer Zhou Xuan.-Synopsis:The film deals with two sisters, Xiao Hong and Xiao Yun who have fled from the war in Northeast China to Shanghai, where they are living under the brutal thumb of... |
马路天使 | |
External links
- Yuan Muzhi from the Chinese Movie Database
- Brief biography on Yuan Muzhi