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Lam Ching Ying

(Dec 21st 1952 - Nov 8th 1997)

While Sarah Michelle Gellar has found fame and fortune as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in the world of Hong Kong cinema when the words 'Vampire Slayer' are mentioned, people think of one man, and one man only.

(Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Anyone who has ever watched a kung fu film will have seen at least a fleeting glimpse of Lam Ching Ying. In a career spanning more than twenty years, he has been opposite Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, as well as starring in his own classic movies.

Formally trained in Peking Opera and renowned for playing female roles as well as being a true Wing Chun practitioner, this multi talented Jade screen star never quite got the recognition he deserved. Born in 1952, the Year of the Dragon, Lam began studying Chinese Opera at around twelve years of age under Madame Fan Fok Fa, a 'rival' school to that of Yu Jim Yuen where Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung were training at around the same time. At only nineteen years old, Ching Ying was handpicked by Bruce Lee to assist with the action direction for The Big Boss, where he also had a supporting role, as well as Fist Of Fury and Enter The Dragon where he can be seen being killed by Bruce and as Han's stunt double in the finale.

Following Bruce's death, Lam continued to perform in a declining Hong Kong industry, predominantly as a bit part player and stuntman in films like When Taekwondo Strikes and another of many Wong Fei Hung movies The Skyhawk starring veteran Kwan Tak Hing. In the latter stages of the '70s Lam became a good friend to Sammo Hung Kam Bo and was a member of his stunt team (known as Hung Kar Ban) gaining bigger parts in classic action movies as well as becoming a prominent stunt co-ordinator in his own rights. His performance in The Magnificent Butcher is the earliest example of his true abilities, as he goes toe to toe with the sublime Yuen Biao in a fabulous martial arts sequence, which to this day remains state of the art. Unfortunately, performers of this ability just do not exist anymore.

In 1982 he picked up his first award for action direction along with Sammo for the superb Prodigal Son. Lam was not only hand to craft the realistic Wing Chun sequences, but stole the show with his enigmatic representation of Leung Yee Tai, an Opera school player coerced into training the titular Prodigal Son Yuen Biao. Considered by many to be both Sammo's and Biao's best work, it is no mean feat that it is Ching Ying who shines brightest throughout the production. The following year saw Lam and Sammo win another award for action with Winners & Sinners featuring Jackie Chan. In the same period, Lam's screen appearances caught the attention of more and more people with excellent performances in one classic movie after another. He appeared in many of the best 80's action flicks and traditional kung fu dramas such as Encounters Of The Spooky Kind, Heart Of Dragon and Eastern Condors as well as the role that would make him most famous, created numerous spin offs and gained worldwide attention: Mr. Vampire.

Mr. Vampire in 1985 was a sensation, catapulting Lam to the height of his fame, while simultaneously stereotyping him for the rest of his life. His cool, quite yet charismatic portrayal of a wise Taoist priest whose only aim in life is to destroy the undead is flawless and provides one of the finest examples of HongKong's comedy horror genre, which, along with Sammo Hung's Encounters Of The Spooky Kind (which also stars Lam), should be treasured by any fanof innovtive movie making. Following the huge success of Mr. Vampire and increasing popularity of Hong Kong films in America, Golden Harvest reportedly began production on an English language remake starring Lam along with U.S stars Tanya Roberts (of Charlie's Angels) and Jack Scalia. Unfortunately, according to Bey Logan production quickly began to disintegrate as American egos and Lam's bad English caused the project to be cancelled. Lam has reportedly held a grudge all Westerners since!

Although predominantly stereotyped into making Mr. Vampire sequels of varying quality and spin offs such as the unerrated Magic Cop, Lam continued to make other great films with Sammo Hung, both as choreographer and performer. His calming persona in Eastern Condors works brilliantly amongst the escalating emotions and violence portrayed by the rest of the stellar cast showing he does not have to be a ghost buster to be a joy to watch. Lam showed his versatility further by making a memorable appearance in Ringo Lam's heroic bloodshed actioner School On Fire and Stanley Kwan's Peking Opera drama Painted Faces both in 1989.

A top-notch performer and action choreographer, Lam made the inevitable move into directing One Eyebrow Priest, Vampire Vs Vampire and Green Hornet. Unfortunately, none of these were hugely successful or memorable and his career took a turn in television. Following his divorce from Cheng Bing Bing in 1993, with whom he had two children, he was offered the chance to star in his own TV series Vampire Expert which earned him rave reviews as well as HK$1.000.000. A far cry from his time as a HK$60 a day stuntman!

Sadly, in 1997, Lam developed liver cancer which was hereditary in his family, (although some claim this was not helped by his love of alcohol), but he kept it to himself so as not to attract the pity of others, and subsequently disappeared from the public eye. The more his condition deteriorated, less he saw his family and children, choosing to live just with his sister, before passing away aged forty-five in St Theresa's Hospital in Hong Kong.

On the 13th of November 1997, a three-hour prayer ceremony was held. In attendance, along with family and press, were old friends Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Wu Ma, Chung Fa. (Jackie Chan, Leon Lai Ming, Raymond Chow Man Wai, Willie Chan Chi Keung, Chua Lam, Ken Lo Wai Kwong, Lai Suk Yin, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Yuen Biao, Corey Yuen Kwai, Monica Chan Fat Yung, Law Wai Guen, Sheila Chan Suk Lan and ATV as well as schoolmates Man Hoi, Tung Wai, Wai Tin Chi, and John Lone all sent floral arrangements.)  John Lone ( playes Ricky Tan in Rush Hour 2) even personally came to the funeral at about 7:00 PM. John Lone, "I remember when we were school mates, we lived together, took a beating together, now it makes me think about life. Sigh!" 

A surprise and early end to one of the Jade screen's finest performers. Fortunately for his fans, Ching Ying's greatest achievements have been committed to celluloid and many are now available on DVD for everyone to enjoy. Hopefully, with the recent rise in interest around the world, Lam's films and Hong Kong movies in general will flourish under a new audience gaining the recognition they deserve.

Actor, director, producer, fight choreographer and fearless vampire slayer, it is unlikely that a performer of his talent will ever grace our screens again.

Although Lam has appeared in any number of films encompassing numerous genres, there are some that should not be missed. The following five films arguably contain Lam Ching Ying's finest performances in productions of equal excellence. Ching Ying has also made numerous memorable cameos in great movies like Sammo Hung's superb Pedicab Driver and Magnificent Butcher often stealing the show. However, his screen time was not enough in these films to force themselves into my top five which are in no particula order.

Magic Cop

A criminally underrated and interesting twist on his Mr. Vampire character. Lam plays a modern day cop whose Taoist mthods cause some to make him less than seriously. That is until a sorceress starts bringing the dead back to life and Lam is forced to save the day. A great blend of comedy and action along with a good cast featuring Michiko Nishiwaki and fan favourite Billy Chow.

Eastern Condors

Sammo Hung's excellent war drama seamlessly mixes gunplay with kung fu in an emotionally charged and fast paced adventure. Lam is a high-ranking Army officer in charge of Hong Kong's version of the 'Dirty Dozen'. The epitome of cool, calm and collected , Lam shows that you don't always have to be interesting. Also notable for featuring Yuen Biao and Sammo at their fist fighting best, the finale in particular is one of the best examples of high impact action choreography. (Hong Kong Legnds release available)

Encounters Of The Spooky Kind

Before Mr. Vampire, Lam made a starring appearance in this classic supernatural kung fu comedy. His tongue in cheek police constable is great fun to watch as he chases murder suspect Sammo across the haunted Chinese landscape. The film's two main fight sequences feature Sammo at the peak of his physical agility and his teahouse fight against Lam's officers is particularly memorable. (Hong Kong Legnds release available)

Mr. Vampire

The film for which Lam is best known and immediately associated, sees him play a Taoist priest constantly fighting with supernatural forces and the undead. Aided and abetted, but usually hindered, by his two youthful sidekicks Chin Siu Ho and Ricky Lau, the movie is a visual treat from start to finish. Some criticise it for not containing enough fights, but the action is perfectly balanced against the rest of the plot with both the comedy and horror equally measured. (Hong Kong Legnds release available)

Prodigal Son

The fact that this is Sammo's most accomplished directional work and arguably Yuen Biao's finest overall performance should be enough to sell this film to any action fan. However, the best thing about this film, amongst many great attributes, is Lam Ching Ying. His screen presence, comedy timing and martial arts prowess all combine in what many believe to be the greatest kung fu film of all time. The most impressive of numerous fights sees Lam battle Frankie Chan in a clash of styles with neither performer ever looking better. Comedy, drama and action combine with unbeatable direction to create one of those gems, which can't be faulted. Buy now. (No release date yet for HKL's DVD of that movie, but they will definately release it. Expected for late 2002.)

Written on April 17th 2002

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