Chor Yuen (Chinese: 楚原), born Cheung Po-kin (張寶堅; 8 October 1934 – 21 February 2022), was a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter, and actor. Chor is credited with over 120 films as director, over 70 films as a writer and over 40 films as an actor.
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Early life and education
Chor was born in Guangzhou, Guangdong, on 8 October 1934. He studied Chemistry at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.
Career
In 1954, Chor started his acting career. Chor first appeared in Madam Yun, a 1954 historical drama film directed by Ng Wui. In 1956, Chor became a screenwriter. Chor first wrote Flower Petals in the Wind
(a.k.a. Petals in the Wind, A Flower Petal in the Wind), a 1956 drama film directed by Ng Wui. In 1957, Chor became a director with Kong Ngee Co., a Singapore film company that produced Cantonese films. Chor co-directed his first two films with Chun Kim. Chor co-directed Bloodshed in the Valley of Love, a 1957 Cantonese martial arts film. Chor also co-directed The Whispering Palm (a.k.a. Moon over Malaya), a 1957 Cantonese drama. In 1959, Chor directed Grass by the Lake (a.k.a. The Natural Son). During the 1960s, Chor directed several films for independent production companies including Lan Kwong Film Company, founded by producer Wong Cheuk-hon.. Chor is credited with over 120 films as director, over 70 films as writer and over 40 films as actor.
Chor was also known for beautiful set designs of his martial arts films.
Personal life and death
Chor was married to Nam Hung, an actress. He died on 21 February 2022, at the age of 87.
Filmography
As director
1957 Bloodshed in the Valley of Love (a.k.a. Blood Valley, Blood Stains the Valley of Love) - Co-director.
1957 The Whispering Palm (a.k.a. Moon Over Malaya) - Co-director.
1957 Murder on the Beach - Co-director.
1959 Grass by the Lake - Director.
1959 Orchid in the Storm (a.k.a. Twilight of Love) - Director.
1960 Autumn Leaves (a.k.a. Autumn Leaf) - Director, writer.
1960 The Great Devotion (a.k.a. Love Cannot Read) - Kwok-Hung. Also Director, screenwriter.
1961 Forever Beloved - Director.
1961 The Psycho (a.k.a. Ghost That Was Not) - Director.
1962 Eternal Regret, Part 1 (a.k.a. A Man's Betrayal, Part One) - Director.
1962 True Love - Director.
1962 Eternal Regret, Part 2 (a.k.a. A Man's Betrayal, Part Two) - Director.
1962 A Time for Mourning - Director.
1963 My Only Love - Director.
1963 Tear-Laden Rose - Director.
1963 In My Dream Last Night - Director.
1964 Too High to Touch - Director.
1964 Diary of a Chauvinistic Husband - Director.
As actor
Madam Yun (a.k.a. Madam Wan, Six Chapters of a Floating Life) - Actor. Film debut. (1954)
Police Story (1985)
The Seventh Curse (1986)
Police Story 2 (1988)
Miracles (1989)
The Banquet (1991)
Twin Dragons (1992)
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father (1993)
Thunderbolt (1995) - Uncle Tung / Foh's father
Those Were the Days (1997)
Television series
Family Squad (1991)
A Kindred Spirit (1995)
File of Justice IV (1995)
Journey to the West (1996)
File of Justice V (1997)
Triumph Over Evil (1997)
Journey to the West II (1998)
Armed Reaction (1998)
War of the Genders (2000)
Armed Reaction II (2000)
The Legendary Four Aces (2000)
Armed Reaction III (2001)
A Step into the Past (2001)
Armed Reaction IV (2004)
Awards
2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. Presented at 37th Hong Kong Film Awards in Hong Kong. April 15, 2018.