The Shaw Brothers Studio

So many amazing and serendipitous things have happened to me on this trip, but this was probably the most incredible, and something I never would have predicted could actually happen. When I was at "the hottest club in town" the other night, I was introduced to William Pfeiffer, the CEO of Celestial Pictures. He's an American like myself, and has also been a huge fan of the Shaw Brothers films for most of his life, so he really does have a dream job. After we chatted a while, William suggested I come by for a tour! I told him to be careful, because I would certainly hold him to his word, haha! Well, he wasn't kidding, and today I got to tour the grounds of the old Shaw Brothers movie lot, which is full of so much cinematic history.



Even the front gate is one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life! Security was airtight, but luckily I had an official appointment.



The "Shaw House" now houses the offices of Celestial Pictures, which has been working meticulously to restore, remaster, and release the enormous film library of the Shaws to DVD. That's no small feat, as the list is easily up there in the hundreds. They also helped organize the "Heroic Grace" film series a few years back, which brought brand new 35mm theeatrical releases of the cream of the Shaw Brothers crop to fans old and new. Just ask Dyer or Sadie, who watched 36th Chamber of Shaolin with me in Philadelphia one hot summer night and were blown away.



Studio number one, where many of the period romance and Huangmei Opera films were shot.

Ms. Chow and Mr. Ip were great tour guides, with him recalling fascinating anecdotes, and her translating for my benefit. See that painted-over window? It's on the far side of what used to be the accounting office on the lot. Apparently way back in the day, that little window is where non-salaried performers like stuntmen and extras would queue up to receive their per diem. Mr. Ip laughed as he recalled the length of the line to step up to that tiny little window.

Although no new films are being made here (all that takes place at TVB City down the road), a lot of things look just as they did when the place was still operational. This shed houses the paints and supplies that were used to make every backdrop in any Shaws film.

Ms. Chow was nice enough to suggest a photo of me in front of the Shaw House. Well, I certainly didn't resist the idea! I saw much, much more than the few pictures I've posted here, but certain areas were strict "no-photo" zones, so I'll just have to keep those in my memory the old fashioned way! Thanks so much to William, Ms. Chow and Mr. Ip for taking the time to make this happen. It was an unforgettable experience, and a perfect capper to my Hong Kong trip.