Yeung Hung

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays Jeu Gau-Feng, friend and fellow-student of Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai). He arrives to attend Du’s birthday celebration, but upon hearing that the Avengers are stirring up trouble sets out to defeat them himself using his hard qigong, which makes him impervious to blows from feet or fists. However, it does not save him from the iron feet of Wu Gui (Sun Chien).

Lui Tat

Crippled Avengers (1978):
In a very small part, plays a potter who fires Wu Gui (Sun Chien) for laziness, causing Wu to storm out into the street, collide with Chang (Lu Feng), refuse to apologize, and get his legs cut off.

Helen Poon

AKA Poon Bing Seung, Pan Ping Chang

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays the nameless wife of Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai). Killed in the film’s opening scene, avenged by her husband, who subsequently declared war on the whole world, basically.

With the unnamed child actor who played her son, Chang.

Chen Kuan-Tai

AKA Chan Goon Tai, Gary Chen, Jackie Chen

Started off as a great hero for the studio, then left to make films for other companies. Upon his return played mostly villains, but always a magnetic presence, whatever the role.

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays Du Tian-Dao, the main villain, who cripples the titular Avengers (Philip Kwok, Lo Meng, Sun Chien, and Chiang Sheng) for insulting him and his son (Lu Feng).

Stewart Tam

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays one of the Tien Nan Tigers, who kick-start the plot by invading the home of Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai), murdering his wife (Helen Poon), and cutting off the arms of his son (played as an adult by Lu Feng).

Left to right: Dick Wei, Jamie Luk, Stewart Tam.

Jamie Luk

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays one of the Tien Nan Tigers, who kick-start the plot by invading the home of Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai), murdering his wife (Helen Poon), and cutting off the arms of his son (played as an adult by Lu Feng).

Left to right: Dick Wei, Jamie Luk, Stewart Tam.

Ting Tung

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays a servant who brings Wen Ying (Chiang Sheng) and Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) drinks when they first meet.

Not a big part, but his wasn’t a career of big parts.

Hsiu Wen

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays, in a flashback sequence, the nameless mother of Xiaoman (Lisa Chiao Chiao), who burned the martial arts manual her husband died protecting, then tried to make sure that her daughter wouldn’t fall in love with a swordsman.

Chui Chung-Hok

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays one of the Law brothers, the band of ruffians who are employed by Smiling Tiger (Tang Ti) to help kill the disciples of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng). He’s the only one who differentiates himself from this group, by being the one who speaks, and who has his topknot cut off by Fang Gang (Wang Yu) before he kills them all at the roadside tavern.

Chieh Yuen

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Lu Zhen, a former student of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng). Traveling to his master’s birthday party with Deng Chong (Cheng Lui) is fatally wounded by the villains, but manages to live long enough to tell Fang Gang (Wang Yu) what’s happening.

Cheng Lui

Square, solid early Shaw Brothers star who appeared in many of their best films in the 60s. He reminds me of a Western actor, but I haven’t been able to figure out which one.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Deng Chong, apparently the toughest and most-respected of the former students of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng). Knowing that someone is following him and Lu Zhen (Chieh Yuen) on the way to their master’s birthday, intentionally slows down to let them catch him at the inn, in hopes of learning their identities and tactics. Is the only person besides Qi and Fang Gang (Wang Yu) to put up a fight against the villains, but is ultimately killed when Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing) decides to step in and help his followers (Liu Chia-Liang and Tong Gaai).

Lau Gong

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays one of the former students who come to the school to celebrate the 55th birthday of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) and are subsequently killed by Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing) and his followers.

Hsu Hsia

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays one of the former students who come to the school to celebrate the 55th birthday of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) and are subsequently killed by Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing) and his followers.

Cliff Lok

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays one of the former students who come to the school to celebrate the 55th birthday of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) and are subsequently killed by Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing) and his followers.

Huang Chung-Hsin

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Wei Xuan, who seems to be senior among the former students who gather to celebrate Qi Rufeng’s (Tien Feng’s) birthday. He is the first to die when Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing) and his followers attack.

Mars

A member (I think of him as THE member) of Jackie Chan’s stunt team. A childhood friend and rival of Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao who appeared in several movies with them, usually as a stunt man but occasionally as a real character. That’s what he’s remembered for, but when he was a child it seemed that every time Shaw Brothers needed a little boy for a scene they would call him in, and he’s always easy to spot. You can’t possibly mistake that face.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays the little boy Fang Gang (Wang Yu) steals the mask from at the temple fair to hide his face from Qi Pei-er (Violet Pan).

Lau Kar-Wing

AKA Liu Chia-Rong, Liu Chia-Yung, Bruce Lau
Brother of Liu Chia-Liang (AKA Lau Kar-Leung). Frequently appeared in and/or co-choreographed his brother’s films.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays the last student of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) killed during the mid-movie montage where we see how deadly the sword-lock is, the one who tries to escape and gets whipped into the river by Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing).

Tam Bo

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Not 100% sure about this, but I think he plays one (with Yuen Cheung-Yan) of a pair of former students of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng), who are killed together during the mid-movie montage where we see how deadly the sword-lock is. We don’t get to see much of him, so it’s hard to be certain.

Yuen Cheung-Yan

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays one (with Tam Bo) of a pair of former students of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng), who are killed together during the mid-movie montage where we see how deadly the sword-lock is.

Yau Lung

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays a nameless (and shirtless) former student of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng), the second killed during the mid-movie montage where we see how deadly the sword-lock is.

Wang Kwang-Yu

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Pei Xun, a former student of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng), and the first killed during the mid-movie montage where we see how deadly the sword-lock is.

Liu Chia-Liang

AKA Lau Kar-Leung
A real-life martial arts master, from a film family, grew up working on the classic Huang Fei-Hong films and is also a master-to-student descendant of the great hero. Shaw Brother’s greatest fight choreographer who went on to become second only to Chang Cheh as a director for the studio, and also served as an actor in several good roles. I kind of think of him as the studio’s real renaissance man.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Ba Shuang, one (along with Tong Gaai) of the followers of Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing), who kill several of the disciples of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng). He and Tong were also the film’s fight choreographers.

Tang Ti

AKA Tong Dik

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Cheng Tian-Shou, the Smiling Tiger. Little brother to the main villain, Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing), and a significant villain on his own. Master of Guo Sheng (Fan Mei-Sheng) and Chin Dachuan (Wong Sai-Git) whose pleasant, not to say fawning, smile tricks people into thinking that he can be trusted, or at least poses no threat.

Wong Sai-Git

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Chin Dachuan, one (along with Fan Mei-Sheng) of the two disciples of Smiling Tiger (Tang Ti) who bully the freshly-maimed Fang Gang (Wang Yu) and sexually...harrass? Assault? Well, they are ungentlemanly towards Xiaoman (Lisa Chiao Chiao). Later they kill Sun Hao (Chang Pei-Shan) and Xi Yi-Fei (Fan Dan) and are themselves maimed by Fang Gang as they attempt to rape the captured Qi Pei-er (Violet Pan).

Fan Mei-Sheng

Big, jolly-looking but physically-capable actor, adept both at fearsome (but entertaining) villains and Little John-style comic relief. One of my favorite Shaw Brothers supporting actors.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Guo Sheng, one (along with Wong Sai-Git) of the two disciples of Smiling Tiger (Tang Ti) who bully the freshly-maimed Fang Gang (Wang Yu) and sexually...harrass? Assault? Well, they are ungentlemanly towards Xiaoman (Lisa Chiao Chiao). Later they kill Sun Hao (Chang Pei-Shan) and Xi Yi-Fei (Fan Dan) and are themselves maimed by Fang Gang as they attempt to rape the captured Qi Pei-er (Violet Pan).

Chiu Hung

AKA Chao Hsiung, Lam Kin-Chuen, Zhao Xiong

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Shun, the muscular peasant who carries the wounded Fang Gang (Wang Yu) from Xiaoman’s (Lisa Chiao Chiao’s) boat to her house on the night he loses his arm. Later he gets beaten up by Guo Sheng (Fan Mei-Sheng) and Chin Dachuan (Wong Sai-Git), the disciples of Smiling Tiger (Tang Ti), causing Fang Gang to, for the first time, win a fight as a one-armed man.

Hao Li-Jen

AKA Ho Lee-Yan, Kok Lee-Yan

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays “Grampa” Wang, the wise elder who helps Xiaoman (Lisa Chiao Chiao) save the injured Fang Gang (Jimmy Wang Yu).

Lisa Chiao Chiao

AKA Chiao Li Na, Lisa Chiu Gaau, Lisa Chiu Kao, Jiu Kau

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Xiaoman, the selfless young woman who saves the life of Fang Gang (Jimmy Wang Yu) on the night he loses his arm. Subsequently she is both instrumental in the recovery of his martial skills and determined in her efforts to make him renounce the martial world once and for all. In the movie it isn’t as inconsistent as it sounds here.

Chen Yan-Yan

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays the wife of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng), who is never named in the film so we must just call her Mrs. Qi.

Fan Dan

AKA Faan Daan, Fan Tan

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Xi Yi-Fei, one (with Chang Pei-Shan) of the two senior current students of master Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) who look down on and try to bully Fang Gang (Wang Yu). He’s the scheming, cowardly one.

Violet Pan

AKA Angela Pan, Pan Yingzi, Pan Yan-Tze, Pan Yin-Tse, Pan Ying-Tzu, Poon Yin-Chi

A stylish beauty, a true 60s It Girl who could have been dropped seamlessly into an episode of The Mod Squad. After Shaw Brothers folded, became among the most-respected television actresses in Taiwan.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Qi Pei-er, the girl who cuts off Fang Gang’s (Jimmy Wang Yu’s) arm, turning him into the title character. Despite this, apparently believes right up to the end of the film that she’s got a shot at romance with him.

As Qi Pei-er in The One-Armed Swordsman.

Chang Pei-Shan

AKA Cheung Pooi-Saan

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Sun Hao, one (with Fan Dan) of the two senior current students of master Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) who look down on and try to bully Fang Gang (Wang Yu). He’s the one who’s a bit dumb and easily manipulated, brave, but with an exaggerated idea of his own abilities and importance. Or, if you prefer, the one who wears leopard skins.

Wang Yu

AKA Jimmy Wang Yu

The first of the Shaw’s great martial arts stars. In the words of David Chute, “charismatic but limited.” Never a personal favorite but certainly a compelling watch.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Fang Gang, the one-armed swordsman of the title, one of the legendary characters in all of Hong Kong cinema.

Chow Siu-Loi

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Chief Ma, one (with Chai No) of the two bandit leaders who attack Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) in the film’s opening scene, dying in the attempt but along the way killing Fang Cheng (Ku Feng). Specifically he’s the one with the axe whose murderous attack is first repelled by Fang.

Chai No

AKA Chak Lok

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Chief Ma, one (with Chow Siu-Loi) of the two bandit leaders who attack Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) in the film’s opening scene, dying in the attempt but along the way killing Fang Cheng (Ku Feng). Specifically he’s the one who delivers the threatening speech before the fight begins, and the one who strikes the actual death blow against Fang.

Tien Feng

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Qi Rufeng, the Magic Swordsman, master of a martial arts school. After his servant Fang Cheng (Ku Feng) is killed saving his life, he takes Fang’s son Gang (Jimmy Wang Yu) and raises him, training him to be the hero of the film.

Tung Tsai-Po

AKA Deng Choi-Bo

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays the first person who appears on-screen, the messenger who brings the poisoned message to Master Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng) in the opening scene and is immediately killed by him.

Tony Tam

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays Luo, the master of “light style,” a guest and henchman of Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai). Wan (Johnny Wang) enlists his aid in fighting the blind Avenger Chen Shuen (Philip Kwok), for the excellent reason that Luo’s silent movements will render Chen helpless against him. But nothing much is made of this in the film: Wei (Lo Meng), the deaf-and-dumb blacksmith, keeps Luo off of Chen, and eventually kills him in a street fight for which Chen isn’t even present.
The Flag of Iron (1980): Plays one of the goons who carry the kidnapped Lan Xin (Lam Sau-Kwan) into the brothel in the opening scene.

Specifically the one in the rear.

Tam Wai-Man

The Flag of Iron (1980): Plays one of the goons who carry the kidnapped Lan Xin (Lam Sau-Kwan) into the brothel in the opening scene.

Specifically the one in front.

Cheung Hei

Life Gamble (1979):
In a bit part, plays the doctor who examines the thief Cui (Lam Fai-Wong) and complains to Qiu Zi-Yu (Philip Kwok) that, although Cui claims to be near death, he appears to be the healthiest man in the place.

Ko Fei

AKA Philip Ko Fei, Gao Fei, Go Fei, Kao Fei, Philip Kao, Philip Kao Fei, Ko Fai

Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays Master Jianxing, third in seniority at the Shaolin Temple, who turns out really to be Ye Cheng, last survivor of the Six Demons of Guangdong. He is seeking revenge against the heads of the Four Big Families (Ai Fei, Ku Feng, Kwan Feng, and Dang Wai-Ho), who murdered his wife and the other Demons, and is the mastermind behind the evil plot that is the movie’s, well, plot.

Ho Pak-Kwong

Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays the owner of the gambling house at the beginning, who has his sleeves sliced up by Chief Fang (Ai Fei).

Dang Wai-Ho

Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays the leader of the Golden Lion clan, killed in the film’s opening (post-credit) scene.

Ku Kuan-Chung

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the puppet emperor, placed on the throne by Iron Fingers (Pai Piao) because he would be easy to control.

Yeung Chi-Hing

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Long-Armed Devil, the antagonist, who wants to murder Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng), his whole family, and all of his students to avenge a loss to Qi decades earlier. He has spent years perfecting a special weapon and technique just for this purpose, which seems like too much work to me.
Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the keeper of the Tai An Inn.

Elvis Tsui

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Wu Ren, an evil monk working with Iron Fingers (Pai Piao) to find and kill the young princes.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays one of the Twelve Jingang, the monks Lei Xun must defeat in the second test to pass into the Shaolin Temple.

Tong Gaai

AKA Tong Gaai, Huang Tang, Tang Chia
Sometime-actor, occasional director, but remembered as one of the truly great fight choreographers for Shaw Brothers.

The One-Armed Swordsman (1967):
Plays Ding Peng, one (along with Liu Chia-Liang) of the disciples of Long-Armed Devil (Yeung Chi-Hing), who kill several of the disciples of Qi Rufeng (Tien Feng). Incidentally, Tong designed the sword-lock weapon for the movie, and along with Liu served as fight choreographer.

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the twin-sword-wielding monk that Zi-Tai (Derek Yee) must fight to prove himself when he arrives at Shaolin. Also served as one of six fight choreographers for the film.

Liu Yu-Po

AKA Lau Yuk-Pok

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the widow of the dead man whose ghost must be exorcised in the weird little side-quest section of the film. Gets possessed by her husband’s ghost and kills a bunch of monks.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays Ye Qinghua, friend of Qiao Yidou (Pai Piao) and Lei Xun (Derek Yee), who is suspected of the murders that spur the plot.

Shum Lo

Another of those guys who just seem to show up in every Shaw Brothers’ film.

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the master of the house where the exorcism takes place.

Wong Chi-Wai

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Tu Wei, who seems to be the leader of Iron Fingers’ (Pai Piao’s) personal bodyguard, his only retainer who is important enough to have a name but not important enough to have, like, magical powers.

Lee Hoi-Sang

Interesting character actor, usually a villain, with an unmistakable face.

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Dao Kong, a traitorous and devious Shaolin priest who helps Iron Fingers (Pai Piao) and his goons track down the two young princes (Ti Lung and Derek Yee). After making several attempts on the elder’s life, and getting humiliated by him time and again, is finally killed by him really only as a distraction.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays Master Kongxing, second in seniority at the Shaolin Temple and head of the Hall of Discipline, where transgressing monks are chastised. He resents the investigation being carried on by our heroes, at various times attacking both Lei Xun (Derek Yee) and Qinghua (Liu Yu-Po), but when the evidence seems to implicate his four assistants in the crimes, he kills all four and then himself to salvage the honor of Shaolin.

Derek Yee

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Wang Zi-Tai, younger of the two princes who are raised in exile after their parents are killed by the usurping Ninth Prince, Iron Fingers (Pai Piao). Raised by the Prime Minister (Ku Feng) and Gu Long (Kwan Feng), his father’s bodyguard, who rescued him from the usurper.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays Lei Xun, the hero of the story, who sets out alongside his friend Qiao Yidou (Pai Piao) to discover who is killing the heads of the Four Big Families (Ai Fei, Ku Feng, Kwan Feng, and Dang Wai-Ho), while trying to dodge the amorous attentions of Ye Qinghua (Liu Yu-Po).

Ti Lung

One of the Shaw’s great stars, a tall and handsome favorite of Chang Cheh, often paired with David Chiang (as fire to Chiang’s ice). I always mispronounce his name because of its similarity to the villain of Kung Fu Panda.

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Dao Xing, older of the two princes who are raised in exile after their parents are killed by the usurping Ninth Prince, Iron Fingers (Pai Piao). Raised by the three Holy Fools (Lam Fai-Wong, Alan Chan, and Ma Chao) and taught the obscure Yijing style by them from infancy, a bit of an ultimate ass-kicker who doesn’t seem really ever to have needed his brother’s (Derek Yee’s) help, but was nice enough to let him tag along.

Ma Chao

AKA Yue Tau-Wan

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Wu Li, one of the three Holy Fools (along with Alan Chan and Lam Fai-Wong) who adopt and raise Dao Xing (Ti Lung) and train him in kung fu. Sentenced to house arrest for fighting, and unable to leave his homestead until the film’s final battle.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays one of the Twelve Jingang, the monks Lei Xun must defeat in the second test to pass into the Shaolin Temple.

Alan Chan

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Wu Zhi, one of the three Holy Fools (along with Ma Chao and Lam Fai-Wong) who adopt and raise Dao Xing (Ti Lung) and train him in kung fu. Sentenced to house arrest for fighting, and unable to leave his homestead until the film’s final battle.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays one of the Twelve Jingang, the monks Lei Xun must defeat in the second test to pass into the Shaolin Temple.

Pai Piao

AKA Jason Piao, Jason Pai Piao, Baak Biu.
One of the more interesting Shaw Brothers actors. Never a great dramatic lead, but often a memorable villain, and a great comic performer when given the chance.

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the Ninth Prince, Iron Fingers, who kills the king (Ai Fei) and puts a puppet (Ku Kuan-Chung) on the throne, and is subsequently killed by the king’s sons (Ti Lung and Derek Yee). A bit of a low-rent Pai Mei in appearance, really, with white hair and bushy white eyebrows. Has an iron hand including two extended fingers which can catch and break an enemy’s blade, and which give him his nickname.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
In perhaps his best part, and certainly my own favorite, plays Qiao Yidou, a gambler and wayfarer who is drawn into the story by a bet, but sticks around to help out a friend. The friend is played by Derek Yee, who I suppose is the lead in this, but Pai Piao is the star.

Yuen Bun

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the Water General, one of the two principal assassins working for Iron Fingers (Pai Piao). Can swim underwater faster than a man can run, and carries two...I don’t know whether they’re swords with a lot of smaller blades sticking out, or maybe weird maces. Anyway, very dangerous objects.

Chiang Tao

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the Fire General, one of the two principal assassins working for Iron Fingers (Pai Piao). Carries a staff and sword that can spontaneously spring into flame and throw fireballs, and can also just make things explode whenever he feels like it, apparently.

Wong Pau-Gei

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the nameless, traitorous general who leads Iron Fingers’ (Pai Piao’s) army to murder the king (Ai Fei) at the beginning of the film. Manages to get to the king and hold his sword to his throat, but the king cuts his own throat on the general’s sword to avoid being taken hostage, and the general is subsequently killed by Gu Long (Kwan Feng).

Yuen Wah

Another guy that I know mostly from his work with Jackie Chan, particularly Supercop where he plays Panther, the bad guy that Jackie breaks out of prison so he can infiltrate his gang. But he got his start with the Shaws!

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Li Chang, who rescues the elder prince (played as an adult by Ti Lung) from the clutches of Iron Fingers (Pai Piao) and eventually delivers him along with the royal seal to the three Holy Fools (Ma Chao, Alan Chan, and Lam Fai-Wong).

Ai Fei

AKA Ngaai Fei

Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the King in the opening sequence, father of the two brothers who are spirited away from the evil Ninth Prince, Iron Fingers (Pai Piao).
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays Chief Fang, head of the Tianfeng (Wind) Clan, one of the Four Big Families whose leaders are being murdered by unknown assailants. He’s the one who first draws Lei Xun (Derek Yee) into the story, by betting that Qiao Yidou (Pai Piao) can’t find him within three days.

Lin Ke-Ming

AKA Ku Ming, Lam Hak Ming, Lam Hark Ming.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
I am not absolutely sure about this one, but I think he plays one of the two men sent to follow Hung Wei-Ting (Gordon Liu) after he’s defeated at Lotus Mountain the first time, in hopes of finding where he and his friends live. He’s fooled by Wei-Ting’s trick of masquerading as a waiter.

Ng Git-Keung

AKA Wu Jie Jiang.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays one of the two men sent to follow Hung Wei-Ting (Gordon Liu) after he’s defeated at Lotus Mountain the first time, in hopes of finding where he and his friends live. He’s fooled by Wei-Ting’s trick of masquerading as a waiter.

Ho Kei-Chong

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays one of the guards outside the gate of Lotus Mountain who try to prevent Hung Wei-Ting (Gordon Liu) from entering the first time he comes to fight the White Lotus (Lo Lieh).

Fung Hak-On

AKA Feng Ke An, Kean Feng, Feng Ko An, Fong Hark On.
Long-time Hong Kong stunt man, actor, and fight choreographer. I mostly know him as a frequent collaborator with Jackie Chan, but he did some work for the Shaws when he was young and it always tickles me to see his face, so I’ll mention him when I spot him.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it part (in fact, so brief that I’m not even sure it’s him), plays one of the thugs who murder the men rebuilding the Shaolin Temple.

To Wing-Leung

Talk about typecasting...I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play anything but an ancient priest.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays the ancient priest overseeing, and collecting donations for, the rebuilding of the Shaolin Temple.

Yeung Ching-Ching

AKA Yeung Jing Jing, Yang Jing Jing.

Clan of the White Lotus

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays Siu-Ching, fiancee of Hung Wei-Ting (Gordon Liu) and sister of...well, I’m not sure. Wu Ah Biao (Lee King-Chu), I think, but possibly Mei-Hsiao (Kara Hui). Anyway, a formidable swordswoman despite her youth and petite figure who dies heroically, killed by the White Lotus (Lo Lieh) while covering the escape of Mei and Wei-Ting.

Wilson Tong

AKA Tang Wei Cheng, Tong Wai Seng.
A character actor, great at playing slimy sub-villains.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays Pai Mei, a holdover villain from Executioners from Shaolin, the 1977 film that this one is neither really a remake of nor a sequel to. The character, then played by Lo Lieh, dies at the end of the other movie, and again at the beginning of this one, in two different places via two different means in fights with three different characters. Go figure.

Cheng Miu

AKA Ching Mao, Tsen Miao.
Character actor who shows up in supporting roles in dozens of Shaw Brothers films, mostly as kind and slightly clueless older gentlemen. One of the studio’s most familiar faces.

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays Li Jing-Ying, the master of Eagle House, who takes in the men who have been maimed by Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai) and turns them into the titular Avengers.
Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays the nameless owner of the factory where Nai-Cheng (Lam Fai-Wong) and Hung Wei-Ting (Gordon Liu) work. Turns out to be a revolutionary whose acupuncture skills save Wei-Ting after a particularly brutal beating by the White Lotus (Lo Lieh).

Clan of the White Lotus

San Sin

AKA Hsin Hsien.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays one of a pair of swordsmen who act as bodyguards to the White Lotus (Lo Lieh).

Hsiao Ho

AKA Hau Yiu-Chung, Siu Hao.
One of the studio’s great comedic actors, but unlike most also able to pull off the stunts and fights, making him one of the more delightful stars of these films.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays one of a pair of swordsmen who act as bodyguards to the White Lotus (Lo Lieh).

Lee King-Chu

AKA Ching Chu, Ging Chue, Jing Zhu, Li Qing Zhu.

Clan of the White Lotus

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays Wu Ah Biao, who starts the film as if he’s going to be the hero, killing the evil Pai Mei (Wilson Tong) and rallying the people against their Qing oppressors. However, he is soon killed by the White Lotus (Lo Lieh), motivating the rest of the plot as his brother (Gordon Liu) and wife (Kara Hui) seek revenge.

Lo Lieh

AKA Law Lik, Law Lit, Joe Lee, Wong Lap Dat.
One of the studio’s towering talents, who slipped seamlessly from being one of their biggest heroes (and their first international star) to being their greatest villain. Acrobatic, charismatic, with the ability to be both funny and frightening, consecutively or concurrently, as well as possessing a great deal of charm, there seems to have been nothing he couldn’t do. When I’m flipping through unseen Shaws looking for my next watch, seeing his name in the credits always means an instant play.

Clan of the White Lotus

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays the White Lotus Chief, the lead villain of the story. Apparently invincible, he can become as light as a feather, floating away from his enemies’ attacks. Also able to exploit his opponents’ chi centers to make minor wounds fatal, and seems to be nearly indestructible except for his one vital point (a trope the Shaws used often).

Gordon Liu

AKA Liu Chia-Hui, Lau Kar-Fai.
My own favorite of the Shaw Brothers’ great stars, an elegant martial artist and charismatic leading man who anchored many of the studio’s finest films and was a prime collaborator with his “brother,” the great director and choreographer Liu Chia-Liang.

Clan of the White Lotus (1980):
Plays Hung Wei-Ting, the hero, who must learn both feminine boxing (“embroidery fist”?!?) and acupuncture to defeat the apparently invincible White Lotus Chief (Lo Lieh).

Chu Tiet-Wo

AKA Chu Tee Wor, Chu Tet Wu, Chu Tieh Ho, Jue Tit Woh, Zhu Tie He.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Wang Zhen, student of Mu Ren-Qing (Lee Sau-Kei), as is Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok), and the master of the three petitioners who come to ask the Wen family to return the gold that Qing-Qing (Candy Wen) has stolen. Also known as the Iron Abacus, because he uses one as a weapon. Survives the Five Elements Array, partly with Yuan’s coaching. Then, during the final battle, helps keep the family’s retainers away while Yuan battles the Array.

Keung Hon

AKA Chiang Han.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays a bit part as one of the Wen brothers in the flashback sequence, the one who opens the chest that the Golden Snake (Lung Tien-Hsiang) has sent and is killed by the arrows that fire from it.

Cheung King-Yu

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Suen, one of the three petitioners (with Chiu Gwok and Siao Yuk) who come to claim the gold that Qing-Qing (Candy Wen) stole from the Hua Shan School. She’s the most hot-headed of the bunch, and cuts off the arm of a retainer while she’s there.

Chiu Gwok

AKA Chao Kuo.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Cui, one of the three petitioners (with Cheung King-Yu and Siao Yuk) who come to claim the gold that Qing-Qing (Candy Wen) stole from the Hua Shan School. He is the first to recognize Yuan Cheng-Chi (Philip Kwok) as his senior, and is the only one to return for the final battle, where he helps keep the Wen Family retainers from interfering as Yuan defeats the Five Elements Array.

Chu Ko

AKA Chu Hark, Chu Ker Rong, Ju Hak Wing, Jue Haak.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Wen Fang, one of Qing-Qing’s (Candy Wen’s) “uncles.” He’s the one who fights with a long spear that can separate into two smaller spears, which looks really cool in his fight scenes.

Lee Sau-Kei

AKA Li Shao-Chi.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Mu Ren-Qing, the old master who takes Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) in after he’s orphaned and teaches him kung fu.

Gam Tin-Chue

AKA Fei Lian.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays one of the two audience members to the pre-credit execution of Yuan Shung-Wen (Ngai Tim-Choi). Specifically, the one who says that “A torture like this meant a thousand cuts” for the benefit of viewers who don’t know what “scaling” is.

Ngai Tim-Choi

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Yuan Shung-Wun, father of Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok). He dies before the opening credits and then plays no further part in the movie, either in his person or as a memory, not even as a plot device.

Candy Wen

AKA Man Suet Yi, Wen Xue Er.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Wen Qing-Qing, daughter of Wen Yi (Ching Li) and the Golden Snake (Lung Tien-Hsiang). Tends to go around dressed as a young man and getting into fights. Spoiled and prone to tantrums and the occasional murder, but ends up as the love interest for Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) so the movie forgives her for that.

Ching Li

AKA Cheng Li, Jing Li.

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Wen Yi, the mother of Wen Qing-Qing (Candy Wen) and a virtual prisoner of the Wen family. Many years ago her husband, the Golden Snake (Lung Tien-Hsiang), was betrayed and nearly killed by the family and their Five Elements Array. She has stayed with them for her daughter’s sake while hoping that he would someday return for her. Is herself killed trying to protect Qing-Qing during the final battle.

Lam Chi-Tai

AKA Ty Lam.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Dao Cong, a junior member of the Iron Clan. Only appears with Liu Heng (Siao Yuk), and does everything Liu does, only a second later, so click on that link if you want an account of his activities. 

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays one of the men who die attempting to rob the grave of the Golden Snake (Lung Tien-Hsiang), specifically the one who is killed by the arrow trap inside the “treasure chest.” 

On the right, with Liang Yao-Wen

Lau Fong-Sai

AKA Daai Baak Oui, Lau Kwong-Shi, Liu Huang-Shi.

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays one of Du Tian-Dao’s (Chen Kuan-Tai’s) mooks, present in the scene where Chen Shuen (Philip Kwok) first confronts Wan (Johnny Wang) at the inn after the Avengers return. He’s the one who attempts to pull the stool out from under Chen as he takes his seat at the table.
The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays the Naughty Kid, fifth of the ten most-feared assassins that come after Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) while he’s in exile. Memorable for the huge scabbard he carries, which turns out to contain a blade that takes up perhaps 20% of the available space.

Wan Seung-Lam

AKA Yin Xiang-Lin.
Before I knew his name, I used to call this fella “Not Johnny Wang” because he could easily pass as the pudgy younger brother of the Shaw’s great villain. Actually, to be honest, I still call him that. The resemblance really is striking.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays the Iron Abacus, fourth of the ten most-feared assassins that come after Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) while he’s in exile. Actually ends up killing himself to avoid being forced to name the man who hired him.
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays the leader of the gang that pursues Qing-Qing (Candy Wen) into the tavern in her introductory scene, looking for the gold she stole. He is killed by Qing-Qing, causing Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) to upbraid her for her bloodthirstiness.

Chiang Kam

AKA Chiang Chin.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays the Killer Butcher, third of the ten most-feared assassins that come after Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) while he’s in exile.

Kwan Feng

Possibly the most under-used and underrated of the Shaw’s fighters. Never a star, rarely even got important supporting roles, but his speed and accuracy made every fight he was in special.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays the Fortune-teller, second of the ten most-feared assassins that come after Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) while he’s in exile. The two have perhaps the best short fight in Shaw Brothers history.
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays one of the Wen brothers in the flashbacks, possibly the head of the family then. But he is already dead by the time the main action of this story takes place, and we don’t get much from his character.
Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays Gu Long, who rescues the younger prince from the evil Iron Fingers (Pai Piao) and delivers him safely to the Prime Minister (Ku Feng). He helps raise the boy (played as an adult by Derek Yee) and trains him in kung fu, in hopes he’ll someday be strong enough to avenge his parents.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays Chief Long, head of the Heilong (Black Dragon) Clan, one of the Four Big Families whose leaders are being murdered by unknown assailants. The bloodthirstiest of them, he is the last to die, and is the one who goes to Shaolin with our heroes (Derek Yee, Pai Piao, and Liu Yu-Po) on the quest to find out who is really responsible for the deaths.

Wong Wa

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays the Iron Axe, the first of the ten most-feared assassins that come after Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) while he’s in exile.
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays the mute servant who carries the infant Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) to Teacher Mu Ren-Qing (Lee Sau-Kei). Continues as a loyal servant, leading his young master to the cave where the weapons, manual, and treasure map of the Golden Snake (Lung Tien-Hsiang) are located. Later, when Yuan is about to face the Five Elements Array, shows up out of nowhere to deliver those weapons in the knick of time. During the fight, he helps keep the Wen Family retainers out of the battle while Yuan defeats the Array.

Chow Kin-Ping

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays the keeper of the Lok Tian Inn, where Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) hides out after the death of his master. Employs Luo after his money runs out. Eventually it turns out that he and his three sons are among the ten most-feared assassins, and are the last to be killed during the mid-film side story where all ten come after Luo.

Wong Ching-Ho

One of the most recognizable Shaw Brothers faces. Never starred in any movie (at least none I’ve seen), but seems to have played a small part in nearly all of them.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Mr. Hu, who seems to be the bookkeeper or treasurer for the Iron Flag Clan. Fails to send money to Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) in exile, as agreed. Also seems to be aware of all of Cao Feng’s (Lu Feng’s) evil schemes, though it’s not clear how big a part he plays in carrying them out.
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Muk Shon, the elder who helps raise Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) and apparently loves playing chess. We see him only twice: once playing chess with Yuan, and once giving him a chess set on their parting.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays the keeper of the inn where our heroes stay while they’re trying to get through the trials at the Shaolin Temple. Only has a couple of lines before being killed, which makes me wonder why they bothered to cast him. Maybe he had more scenes that didn’t survive the editing process?

Fung Ming

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays one of the corrupt constables who are willing to overlook the slaughter of the Eagle Clan, in return for a hefty bribe and Luo Xin’s (Philip Kwok’s) promise to be the scapegoat.

Chan Shen

AKA Chan Sheng, Chan Yi Sheng, Chim Sam, Jim Sum, Zhan Sen.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Mi Ju Gao, the chief of the Eagle Clan. Arranges to have the Iron Flag Clan Chief (Liang Yao-Wen) and his top followers attend a banquet where they will be ambushed at the beginning of the film. But, due to treachery by members of both clans, is himself killed, and the Eagle Clan is destroyed. 

The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Master Rong, the head of Longyou School, who threatens Qing-Qing (Candy Wen) in the tavern, and pulls off a really cool disarming move on her, before having a friendly sparring match with Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok).
Shaolin Prince (1982):
Plays the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple, who doesn’t get to do much in this one.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple. He fights Lei Xun (Derek Yee) and Qiao Yidou (Pai Piao) in their third trial, testing whether they deserve to enter the Temple and see whether the killers they seek are present. Later, he fakes his death in an effort to root out whoever the traitors within the Temple are.

Siao Yuk

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays a nameless mook in the service of Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai). The most noticeable of that faceless bunch, as he’s the one who always gets sent on errands, such as following Luo (Tony Tam) or stealing Wei’s (Lo Meng’s) reflective medallion.
The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Liu Heng, a junior member of the Iron Flag Clan. Refuses to kill Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) after he’s been injured by Chen Xiang (Yu Tai-Ping) and Gao Deng (Wong Lik). Is later used by Cao Feng (Lu Feng) to gain the trust of Luo and his partners, who believe he’s too honest to lead them into a trap. When it turns out that he was fooled and it was a trap after all, he willingly sacrifices himself to save Luo.
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Mui Jin, one of the three petitioners (with Cheung King-Yu and Chiu Gwok) who come to claim the gold that Qing-Qing (Candy Wen) stole from the Hua Shan School. He’s the one who insists on duelling with Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) and has several swords broken in his hands before he admits defeat.

Lung Tien-Hsiang

AKA Long Tian Xiang, Shou Lung.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Yan Xiu, the White-Robed Rambler (AKA the Silver Spear), one of the ten most-feared assassins in this film’s universe. Kills the chief of the Iron Flag Clan (Liang Yao-Wen) at the beginning, which sets the whole plot in motion. Later it turns out that he did this because Cao Feng (Lu Feng), who became the new chief, tricked him. He tries to make amends by assisting Luo Xin (Philip Kwok) and Yuan Lang (Chiang Sheng) get their revenge on Cao.
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays the Golden Snake, the bandit who carried out a blood vendetta a generation before the current story. He fell in love with Wen Yi (Ching Li), and this love caused him to abandon his vendetta. But the Wen family took advantage of this to betray and gravely injure him. It is his body (along with his weapons and kung fu manual, and a treasure map) that Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) finds in the cave, kick-starting the whole plot.