The Legend of the White Serpent

is a 1956 romantic fantasy film directed by Shirō Toyoda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. The film is based on the Chinese fairy tale Pai-she Chuan and the stories Story of a White Snake and White Woman's Magic by Fusao Hayashi. Plot During the Song dynasty, in the hamlet of Hangzhou, Xu Xian is paying his respects to the dead. While traveling on a ferry, he meets Xiao-qing and her mistress, Bai-niang, of the house of Bai. As they introduce themselves, Bai-niang's red scarf flies into Xu Xian's face. Xian gives the scarf back and lends his parasol to the two ladies to protect them from the sudden rainstorm. The next day, he goes to the Bai manor to retrieve his parasol. Xu Xian reveals he has no status and is the apprentice of his brother's medicine shop. To help him, Bai-niang gives him 500 pieces of silver and her red scarf as proof of her love. Xian goes home and gives the silver to his family. Unbeknownst to him, Xiao-qing stole the silver from the local treasury on behalf of her mistress for him. His brother, realizing the truth, turns in the silver. At the behest of the government and his family, Xu Xian takes everyone to the Bai manor, which is abandoned and does not appear lived in. The officials and soldiers go in the manor, and in her room, see Bai-niang, who disappears in a cloud of smoke. Xu Xian is sent to Suzhou to serve time under an innkeeper/money lender named Wang Ming. While working in the inn, Bai-niang and Xiao-qing appear to him, as guests. Xiao-qing coaxes Xu Xian to see his mistress who, once again declares her love to the young man. Xu-Xian and Bai-niang consummate their relationship.