Lam Ching Ying

After Lee's death Ying followed his work at The Golden Harvest Studios as a stuntman and an action choreographer. Slowly he had become good friends with Sammo. They had the same working method, always give the best, be reliable and first of all, aim to do the perfect. Ying decided to join Sammo's famous stunt-team, the Hung Gar Ban. For a while his real job was behind the camera, but soon he graduated to assistant fight director and eventually was Sammo's right-hand man of his stunt group. Lam, as always, remained faithful to his friend until the beginning of the 90's, when the great Sammo decided to take some time-off. In a sense they formed an artistic partnership, and Lam was an integral part of Sammo's films for a decade.

Nevertheless he was an excellent actor as well. He wasn't what we call handsome, good-looking. His face-structure was as unique as his whole appearance. Strange, but radiant with talent. That is what I call charisma. Though his charisma is hard to describe. In the center were those soulful, wise eyes, a shy smile combined with an innocent look, but always dignified. This face was a masterpiece to express quiet joy, repressed passion, gloominess, stern disagreement, anger, grief. Later on he proved that he had a very good sense of humour, dry but very enjoyable. As a result of these capabilities his on-screen roles slowly increased and so did his reputation. His first breakthrough came during the attention grabbing fight between him and Yuen Biao in the Magnificent Butcher. He really shined as the fan wielding assassin showing us his psychical abilities.

But the lightning struck when Sammo offered him the part of the Wing Chun Master Leung Yee Tai in The Prodigal Son. Fate was gracious to him, since Sammo intended this role to a famous opera character, but due to his opium habit, he was unable to manage, so he choose Lam instead. This was a tailor-made role for Ying. He could show us his Wing Chun talent, his capability to perform as a lady, and his dramatic side as well. Usually in movies martial arts masters were old, stern, but Sammo wanted something else. With his genuine expertise in Wing Chun and also his background in female roles,

Lam went to the limit and suggested a more feminine quality. Sammo took him seriously, and as a starting point, stated that Lam has to get rid of his eyebrows. Ching Ying lost his breath, but only for a second. He realised that his naked face will be much more effective to express feelings. They were right. The end result was a memorable movie, in which Lam stole the whole show from the main actor, Yuen Biao. He was a cool, but caring master, that would become his staple characterization from now on. He did not win the acting award for his performace, which is a pity, but probably just as rewarding for him was to win an award as a fight choreographer. His first prize to recognize his work.

In 1981 Sammo had been mixing kung fu with supernatural elements in his film Encounter Of The Spooky Kind and a new genre was born. Lam's supporting part in this film started a new trend for him, playing a much older guy than he actually was. The above mentioned mimicry, firmed with funny and strange eyebrows (from bushy to his trademark uni-eyebrow), his fragile body made his portrayals authentic.

A similar role waited for him in 1982 in The Dead And The Deadly. He played a frail, elderly Taoist priest very convincingly. At that time he was 30. Until 1985 he continued playing both an in the front and a behind the scene role in Sammo's productions. He played in nearly every single Sammo Hung hit, from Winners And Sinners, through Pom Pom films to Heart Of The Dragon. The award for action direction was won again in 1983 by Lam and his team for their work on Winners and Sinners.

He even managed to find time in around 1984/85 to train Michelle Yeoh, who had previously been a ballet dancer and beauty queen, into an on-screen lethal lady. The movie called Yes, Madame established her name in the martial arts movies.

But the time had come for our Ching Ying to experience the biggest turn in his career. He was ready for another bolt from the blue.

Sifu Eternal Was Born