Lam Ching Ying

What if you have a ghost in your house or a spirit returning from the grave to give you creepy moments? Pale face, white figure, possibly spine-chilling laughters OK. Call Mr.Van Helsing, the Ghostbusters, Buffy, or the local Priest would do. But what if the vampire is wearing ornate Manchurian robe, and hopping around you with his arms stretched out? Forget the garlic, the Holy Cross, the Bible. And please don't panic, just call Lam Ching Ying, as he is the best Taoist expert to save you!

In 1985 Sammo brought into our lives The Eternal Sifu by casting Ching Ying as a Taoist Master in Mr. Vampire. This was the role that won him the most recognition, not only in Hong Kong but worldwide. The role of the Sifu plays well with his serious appearance, but he proved that his comedy timing and skills were just as sharp as his martial arts abilities. This is an outstanding horror comedy, with adorable characters, as the silly-billy, lovable Man Choi played by the talented comedian Ricky Hui Koon-Ying and the skillful Chin Shiu-Ho as Chou, Lam's clumsy disciples.

Ching Ying is just cool in this movie. No matter how big is the challenge, how strange the situation is, he is ready and willing and able to beat them all. He'll even use his elegant kung fu moves from time to time. But what really helps is his taoist science. He set up an altar, got his coin-sword, put his yellow priest robe and hat on, wrote those wonderful calligraphic charms with magic red ink, of course made of chicken blood. His steadfastness in this role, the stoic zeal, which he displayed in hurling witches into umbrellas or clay pots, was admirable. This performance as a super-competent battler of undead is so perfect, that his fans had major difficulties to accept Ying in other roles from now on.

So this is a point to argue. As some say this was his greatest success. Sure it was. But we all know that not in an artistic way. He had so much more heartbreaking, mind-stirring portrayals. Some even say it was the worst that could happen to his career. This overwhelming success typecasted him forever and at the end it was his burden. True fans say, that's the case. But as I know him, and hopefully being a true fan myself, I believe that he was proud to be our Sifu, he was grateful for the success, attention, and love he got through this role. He knew his duty, always serve the audience, entertain with his whole heart. And on the other hand he was stubborn, and clever and brave enough to change when he felt the need. He would have done it in this case as well. He accepted his the same role yet again for a television series called The Vampire Expert in 1995, done two entire series, and a few weeks before his death he signed for the the third one. He loved this Taoist guy.

He had reprized this role in countless sequels and spin offs, delighting us all the time. He was able to play with a hidden style, he had a sensible aura, he was honorable, respectful and capable Taoist priest. He hit a chord with the audiences and it is impossible now to think of a Taoist priest without the image of Lam coming to our mind. He was nominated, but did not win the award in 1985, at the Hong Kong Film Awards for the best supporting actor for this performance.

Until this very day (5th December 2006) every single biography on Lam Ching Ying at this point mentioned a failed Golden Harvest company attempt to make an English version of the movie with Tanya Roberts and Jack Scalia. They mentioned various difficulties on both sides. Western actors had attitude about Ching Ying's poor English, Lam couldn't handle the American egos and the situation, so Raymond Chow canceled the project. He looked at the footage that had been shot and said: "We've barely started, we need not to bother to finish!". According to these reports Ying was disappointed and never again made an effort to break into the foreign film-market.

I can assure you that these facts were not true at all. I have proof, Lam Sifu's own words and Bey Logan's (Bey Logan kindly handled me a unique Lam Ching Ying interview which was never published.) The movie, Golden Harvest abandoned was called Demon Hunters and would have starred Yuen Wah. This rumor was probably spread by someone who was hurt by Lam Ching Ying. Later on Bey Logan interviewed Cynthia Rothrock, who co-starred Lam in The Prince Of The Sun, confirmed that Ching Ying had no problem with westerners at all.

Lam Sifu, in the name of every westerner fan, I beg your pardon! It took nine years to clean your name from the stain we caused you with malice, rumor and ignorance! Even I was mislead

After the success of Mr Vampire Lam continued his constant and important presence in Sammo's films. He had very nice and difficult roles waiting for him, and he gave his all, never appearing bored or tired. These were his busiest and most successful years.

                         Years To Hit The High Lights