Yuen Siu Tien
Encyclopedia
Yuen Siu-tien (27 November 1912 – 8 January 1979) (also known as Yuan Xiaotian, Simon Yuen, Sam Seed or "Ol' Dirty") was a Chinese
martial arts film
actor in the late 1970s. Yuen is perhaps best known as Beggar So in three films: Drunken Master
, Story of Drunken Master
and his final film Dance of the Drunk Mantis
. He starred in films with film actors like Jackie Chan
and under the direction of his real life son Yuen Woo-ping
. Yuen died having a heart attack in 1979.
(1978), in which he played Beggar So, an old hermit who had mastered the art of drunken boxing, aiding a young Wong Fei-hung, played by Jackie Chan
. The role was a reprisal (in all but name) of the one he had played in another of Chan's films, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
(1978). At the time, Drunken Master proved to be the most successful film to feature Chan. The film portrayed Wong Fei-hung as a young and mischievous rascal as opposed to the venerable, confucian
master of kung fu as played in many films by Kwan Tak-hing. The movie was a surprise international hit, and greatly helped to boost the career of the then 66 year old actor.
Yuen featured in almost 150 films throughout his career. He reprised the role of The Beggar So for three further films, Dance of the Drunk Mantis
, Story of Drunken Master
and a cameo in World Of The Drunken Master.
at the age of 66, after Yuen was his choice for the role of Beggar So in 1979 martial arts action film Magnificent Butcher
along with Sammo Hung
, before his death and also he was replaced by Fan Mei Sheng. Filming was continued with Fan's Drunken Master character, including reshooting some of Yuen's scenes. However, Fan's character is never referred to as "Beggar So" in film.
(ODB) took his name from one of Yuen's films Ol' Dirty & The Bastard. ODB was a member of the Wu-Tang Clan
rap group until his death in 2004. His lyrics were often inspired by 1970s kung fu films.
. The five eldest sons were known collectively as the "Yuen clan" and often worked in combinations on many films:
In addition, Yuen had two more sons and three daughters.
).
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
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...
actor in the late 1970s. Yuen is perhaps best known as Beggar So in three films: Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken 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...
, Story of Drunken Master
Story of Drunken Master
Story of Drunken Master aka Drunken Fist Boxing is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts film. Simon Yuen stars as Beggar So. Also featured are Casanova Wong and Pan-pan Yeung....
and his final film Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis is a 1979 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Yuen Siu Tien’s real life son Yuen Woo-ping, starring Yuen Siu Tien, Hwang Jang Lee, Linda Lin, Yuen Shun Yee, Charlie Shek and Yuen Kwai...
. He starred in films with film actors like 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...
and under the direction of his real life son Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director, renowned as one of the most successful and influential figures in the world of Hong Kong action cinema. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong...
. Yuen died having a heart attack in 1979.
Success in old age
Yuen trained in traditional Peking opera role of Wu-Shen. He began his acting career in the first Wong Fei-hung film to star Kwan Tak-hing, Story of Huang Feihong (1949), at the age of 37, though his film appearances were rare until the late 1950s. He is most well known for portraying mentors and kung fu masters. One of his most internationally well-known films came late in his career, Drunken MasterDrunken Master
Drunken 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), in which he played Beggar So, an old hermit who had mastered the art of drunken boxing, aiding a young Wong Fei-hung, played by 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...
. The role was a reprisal (in all but name) of the one he had played in another of Chan's films, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
(1978). At the time, Drunken Master proved to be the most successful film to feature Chan. The film portrayed Wong Fei-hung as a young and mischievous rascal as opposed to the venerable, confucian
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
master of kung fu as played in many films by Kwan Tak-hing. The movie was a surprise international hit, and greatly helped to boost the career of the then 66 year old actor.
Yuen featured in almost 150 films throughout his career. He reprised the role of The Beggar So for three further films, Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis is a 1979 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Yuen Siu Tien’s real life son Yuen Woo-ping, starring Yuen Siu Tien, Hwang Jang Lee, Linda Lin, Yuen Shun Yee, Charlie Shek and Yuen Kwai...
, Story of Drunken Master
Story of Drunken Master
Story of Drunken Master aka Drunken Fist Boxing is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts film. Simon Yuen stars as Beggar So. Also featured are Casanova Wong and Pan-pan Yeung....
and a cameo in World Of The Drunken Master.
Death
On January 8, 1979, Yuen died had a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the age of 66, after Yuen was his choice for the role of Beggar So in 1979 martial arts action film Magnificent Butcher
Magnificent Butcher
Magnificent Butcher is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, starring Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Biao, Wei Pai, Lee Hoi San, Chiang Kam, Fan Mei Sheng, Fung Ging Man, Fung Hak-on and Max Lee.The film is based on the story of Lam Sai-wing, one of the...
along with Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
, before his death and also he was replaced by Fan Mei Sheng. Filming was continued with Fan's Drunken Master character, including reshooting some of Yuen's scenes. However, Fan's character is never referred to as "Beggar So" in film.
Ol' Dirty
The rapper Ol' Dirty BastardOl' Dirty Bastard
Russell Tyrone Jones was an American rapper and occasional producer, who went by the stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard or simply ODB...
(ODB) took his name from one of Yuen's films Ol' Dirty & The Bastard. ODB was a member of the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
rap group until his death in 2004. His lyrics were often inspired by 1970s kung fu films.
Films
- Dance of the Drunk MantisDance of the Drunk MantisDance of the Drunk Mantis is a 1979 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Yuen Siu Tien’s real life son Yuen Woo-ping, starring Yuen Siu Tien, Hwang Jang Lee, Linda Lin, Yuen Shun Yee, Charlie Shek and Yuen Kwai...
(1979) - Beggar So / Sam Seed - Story of Drunken MasterStory of Drunken MasterStory of Drunken Master aka Drunken Fist Boxing is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts film. Simon Yuen stars as Beggar So. Also featured are Casanova Wong and Pan-pan Yeung....
(1979) - Beggar So - 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) - Beggar So / Sam Seed - Peculiar Boxing Tricks and Master (1978) (aka Old Dirty Strikes Back)- Tung
- The 36th Chamber of ShaolinThe 36th Chamber of ShaolinThe 36th Chamber of Shaolin , also known as The Master Killer and Shaolin Master Killer, is a 1978 Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Liu Chia-liang and starring Gordon Liu....
(1978) (aka The Master Killer; Mandarin title: Shao Lin san shi liu fang) - Teacher - Snake in the Eagle's ShadowSnake in the Eagle's ShadowSnake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
(1978) - Pai Chang-tien - Heroes of the EastHeroes of the EastHeroes Of The East , also known as Challenge Of The Ninja and Shaolin VS. Ninja and Shaolin Challenges Ninja is a martial arts film produced in 1978. It starred Gordon Liu and was directed by Lau Kar-Leung. Lau Kar-Leung has a cameo role as a master of Drunken Kung Fu...
(1978) - Bons baisers de Hong KongBons baisers de Hong KongBons baisers de Hong Kong is a 1975 French film directed by Yvan Chiffre. It is a parody of James Bond movies featuring Les Charlots with scenes shot in Hong Kong...
(aka From Hong Kong with Love) (1975) - Little Tiger of CantonLittle Tiger of CantonCub Tiger From Kwang Tung is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Chu Mu and starring Jackie Chan. Chan was 17 when the film was made in 1971, and it is considered to be his first starring role.- Background :...
(1971) - Come Drink with MeCome Drink with MeCome Drink with Me is a 1966 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by King Hu. Set during the Ming Dynasty, it stars Cheng Pei-pei and Yueh Hua as warriors with Chan Hung-lit as the villain, and features action choreography by Han Ying-chieh. It is widely considered one of the best Hong Kong films ever made...
(1966) - Bandit - 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) (aka The Purple Lightning Sword) - 55 Days at Peking55 Days at Peking55 Days at Peking is a 1963 historical epic film starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, and David Niven, made by Samuel Bronston Productions, and released by Allied Artists. The movie was produced by Samuel Bronston and directed by Nicholas Ray, Andrew Marton , and Guy Green...
(1963) (uncredited) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - Mute - 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) - Story of Huang Feihong (1949)
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)
Personal life
Yuen is the father of eleven children, six of whom have worked (or still work) in the Hong Kong film industryCinema 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...
. The five eldest sons were known collectively as the "Yuen clan" and often worked in combinations on many films:
- Yuen Woo-pingYuen Woo-pingYuen Woo-ping is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director, renowned as one of the most successful and influential figures in the world of Hong Kong action cinema. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong...
- director and action director - Yuen Cheung-yan - actor and action director
- Yuen Shun-yee (Sunny Yuen) - actor and action director
- Yuen Yat-chor - actor
- Yuen Chun-yeung (Brandy Yuen) - actor, stuntman and action director
- Yuen Lung-chu - actor
In addition, Yuen had two more sons and three daughters.
Legacy
Yuen's likeness was used for the character Chin Gentsai in the SNK series, The King of Fighters as well as for the character Shun Di from the Virtua Fighter series (taken from the role of Su Hai from Drunken MasterDrunken Master
Drunken 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...
).