Alrighty. Back to the HK/US film locations. Earlier this year, Wei and I were in San Francisco. So, she humored me and came along as I visited a few locations where HK films had been shot. A few months back I posted a location from the cool Billy Tang Hin-sing/ Jet Li/ Stephen Chow Sing-chi/ Dick Wei film DRAGON FIGHT and a few locations from the opening credit sequence of the Chang Cheh/ Alexander Fu Sheng film CHINATOWN KID. I intended to put all of the locations up soon after my trip was over but I got side tracked with, among other things, the laziness bug. So, I'm back. And here are some more locations from CHINATOWN KID.-
Above is another shot from the opening credit sequence. It was taken on the corner of Grant Ave. and Sacramento St. in San Francisco's Chinatown. You can see the Transamerica Pyramid rising in the background. Above photo is circa 1977. The below pic is of the same location, taken this past spring, 2010.
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The above and below pic are of the same location as the two pics above, the intersection of Grant Ave. and Sacramento St. This pic focuses a bit more down Grant Ave. The building directly across the street looks exactly the same today as it did in 1977. Though the orange window awnings look to have taken a beating from exposure, leaving it a victim of passing time. And though the style of sign looks to have been changed throughout the years, on the left side of both pictures you can still see a vertical Bank of America sign.
Yes, Fu Sheng. There're Chinese characters in U.S.? The famous Chinatown Gate is featured above and below. 33 years apart. This is the beautiful gateway to Chinatown, situated at the intersection of Grant Ave. and Bush St. Depending on the time of day, it is usually mobbed by tourist taking pictures non-stop. And Wei and I were guilty of that as well but we woke our lazy butt's up early to get a jump on the picture snappin' Asian tourist-like crowd....and the thrush of HK movie morons like myself who were visiting HK/SF film locations. Because i'm sure I wasn't the ONLY idiot doing it? Right?
And finally passing through the Chinatown Gate, we enter into C-town. As you can see, so did Fu Sheng. Walking up through the gate, Fu Sheng looks snazzy in his Springtime duds. The same area is pictured in the two photos below. In the second photo you can see my finger pointing to the path tread by Fu Sheng. I'm a bit of a dope.
I believe that should be it for the CHINATOWN KID location pics. As Shaw Bros. flicks go, 99.9% of the action takes place on a sound stage/set. So, outside of the opening sequence and maybe an establishing shot or two, there weren't many places to visit. But, I still have location pics for ALAN AND ERIC: BETWEEN HELLO AND GOODBYE, SAUSALITO, and one or two from THE WESLEY'S MYSTERIOUS FILES. I would like to get them up before the years end. But, as you should all know by now....say it with me.... I'M LAZY!!!! 
Thanks for the then-and-now pics, kingwho! I don't why I get so excited when I see them. Maybe it's because I was walking up Grant Avenue yesterday on my lunch break. ;D
ReplyDeleteDon't make me wait to long for the other SF pics.
BTW, love your new banner!
Great "now" shots of "then" locations for The Chinatown Kid!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, some Shaws utilized location filming that went beyond a couple of establishing shots, Kingwho?! Four Riders (a Chang Cheh film) showed off a lot of South Korean scenery, and Heroes of the East (a Lau Kar Leung film) had some nice footage taken in Japan!
As for your new banner...what have you got against Porky Pig? ;o)
Dave, I promise more on the way soon. I'm pre-fabricating a few posts with pictures right now. So when i'm ready to actually write something the pics are already loaded. I think it's pretty neat to see the then and now pics as well. And my banner is a common sight in restaurant windows in NYC Chinatown. When the pig is smiling I think that means that the food is good?! =)
ReplyDeleteShih-yu, I have seen a few Shaw films that have utilized actual locations as well. I don't tend to watch many Shaw martila arts pictures but more of the 70's social dramas/comedies/erotic films that seemed to use actual locations a lot more.
As for Porky, he was delicious! =)
It was fun seeing SF Chinatown in Chinatown Kid, and it is really interesting to see your past and present photos side by side. Fun stuff, thanks!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, achillesgirl. I will be posting some familiar spots from the film Sausalito befor hit the sack tonight.
ReplyDeleteI have a general inquiry, Kingwho?!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen a trio of '70s Japanese "pink" movies from Toho centered on a character named Rica (played by Rika Aoki), a lady who's half Japanese and half caucasian?
I found a 3-DVD set at a Fry's; it's from Exploitation Digital (packaging suggests it's a product from an off-shoot of Media Blasters). So far, I've watched the first one (Rica), and it turned out better than I thought it would! It was more violent than it was "pink", which is a good thing!
If you've seen these, let me know. Otherwise, I might've found you something new to watch!
Shih-yu, I have not yet delved into Japanese Pink films. I have heard a lot of great things, though. I have spent way to much time and energy on HK cinema that I rarely stray from it. I have, however, seen a few Japanese film that fit my sensibilities. Like 'Entrails of a Virgin.'
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of the 'Rica' films but I did a quick search to learn a little more and I am intrigued. I could definitely try those on for size.
Thanks for pointing me in a good direction. I will give the films a go. Have you seen any other Pink films? Recommend any others?
Thanks again!
This Rica set is my first look at what would be considered Japanese "pink" movies.
ReplyDeleteThat these films were made by Toho (the same company who brought us Godzilla) is what first caught my interest, followed by the fact it was distributed by Media Blasters and Rika Aoki is a foxy lady!