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.

Liang Yao-Wen

AKA Leung Yiu-Man.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Chief Tieh, the master of the Iron Flag Clan. He is tricked by his right-hand man, Cao Feng (Lu Feng), into attending a banquet at Eagle Hall, home of the rival Eagle Clan, where he is murdered by the White-Robed Rambler (Lung Tien-Hsiang). Cao replaces him as chief, and the attempt by his followers to avenge his death is the main plot of the film.
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 poisoned while trying to read the manual.

Wong Lik

AKA Wang Lieh, Wang Li.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Gao Deng the Fierce Eagle. He and Chen Xiang (Yu Tai-Ping) are the two main fighters of the Eagle Clan and together are the muscle behind its illegal businesses. Abandons the Eagles when the Iron Flag takes over, is later killed by Chen, who is trying to prove his loyalty to Cao Feng (Lu Feng).
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Master Wen, leader of the Wen Family and the Shilang School, father of Wen Yi (Ching Li) and grandfather of Qing-Qing (Candy Wen), and originator of the Five Elements Array. He’s the only villain to survive the final battle, though he has lost a leg. When he fights, his weapon is a great metal staff with a dragon’s head.

Yu Tai-Ping

AKA Chui Tai-Ping.

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays Lin, an assassin in the employ of Du Tian-Dao (Chen Kuan-Tai). His primary weapon is a slingshot that fires silver bullets, but in close he fights with a long knife in each hand.
The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Chen Xiang the Flying Eagle. He and Gao Deng (Wong Lik) are the two main fighters of the Eagle Clan and together are the muscle behind its illegal businesses. Abandons the Eagles when the Iron Flag takes over, later turns on the Iron Flag when it becomes clear that Cao Feng (Lu Feng) is only using him to kill Luo Xin (Philip Kwok), after which he’ll be killed himself.
The Sword Stained With Royal Blood (1981):
Plays Wen Bai-Yang, Qing-Qing’s (Candy Wen’s) cousin and a member of the Five Element Array. He uses a pair of very short swords or long knives, which he’s as likely to throw as to wield hand-to-hand. He’s also the first person Yuan Cheng-Chih (Philip Kwok) kills in the big final fight.

Wang Han-Chen

Crippled Avengers (1978):
Plays the keeper of the “Friendly Inn,” where a great deal of the film’s violence takes place.

On the left, trying to calm Lo Meng down

before everything blows up.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Zeng, the manager of the Eagle Clan Gambling House. Both times we see the heroes gamble in the film he is dealer, and both times he cheats to ensure the heroes win.
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) who actually speak. Specifically, the one who says that “One would not expect the loyal Yuan would end up like this.”

Fung Ging-Man

AKA Fung King-Man, Feng Jing-Wen.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays the “pit boss” (for lack of a better term) at the Eagle Clan Gambling House.
Shaolin Intruders (1983):
Plays the croupier at the gambling house in the early scene where we are first introduced to Qiao Yidou (Pai Piao).

Lam Sau-Kwan

AKA Lin Hsiu-Chun.

The Flag Of Iron (1980):
Plays Lan Xin, a young woman who is sold as a prostitute to cover her family’s debts. She is freed by the Iron Clan, but later recaptured and eventually falls for Yan Xiu, the White-Robed Rambler (Lung Tien-Hsiang), and is set free at the end of the film.