[2014.01.09] JACKIE CHAN CALLS SIR RUN RUN SHAW HIS ROLE MODEL

Ho Lai Chuen, Ng Yu
courtesy of singtao.com

Stephen Chan and Ho Ting Kwun

Uncle Six missed out on Bruce Lee

Ng See Yuen

Jackie Chan

Eric Tsang

Law Lok Lam
courtesy of mingpao.com

Former TVB general manager Ho Ting Kwun yesterday accepted Stephen Chan Chi Wan's radio interview. Two former general managers discussed in detail about working with Sir Run Run Shaw (Siu Yat Fu).

Ho Ting Kwun was the general manager who worked with Uncle Six the longest. He said that Uncle Six was kind elder but occasionally would scold his subordinates. The most memorable was with the Stephen Chow Sing Chi starred television series FINAL COMBAT (KOI SAI HO HUP). He said, "Back then Ah sir (Uncle Six) wanted to directly edit the television series into a movie and put a lot of effort into it. I knew the result wasn't too great, but still I edited a part for him to look over. I never expected that later the programming department made a mistake and scheduled the series to be aired again at late night. The rerun ratings were great too, which disappointed Ah Sir a little."

Ho Ting Kwun felt that when Shaw lost the opportunity to sign Bruce Lee and he went to Golden Harvest, it made Uncle Six value employees and artists more as he did not want to lose talent again. He said, "As soon as they are good artists and employees, Ah Sir would try to hold on to them. (After Uncle Six retired, in recent years has TVB changed?) I can say this, his management and operation ideas were completely different from what they are now, so when he managed TVB, the company's management colleagues didn't have any infighting situation." As for the TVB artist drought and employee abuse rumors, Ho Ting Kwun said, "This is a a management issue, now the competition in the society is too strong. Employee morale is very important. If Siu Yat Fu was still around, I believe he would handle employees very differently, at least so many artists wouldn't be lost so soon."

Hong Kong Television's gold label producer Tang Yuen Mei revealed in the interview that at Chan Chi Wan's suggestion she began to shoot a documentary of Ah Sir when he was close to 100, but because she left her job it was not completed. She said, "It had many valuable footage. We visited Ah Sir's Singapore mansion, interviewed his third sister-in-law, only from her I learned that Uncle Six deliberately exchanged his own children with his third brother's children to be raised to prevent them from being spoiled. Thus Uncle Six's relationships with his nephew and niece were very close." She revealed that the program was about 1 hour long. She wished that TVB would not edit it into bits and pieces so everyone could relive Siu Yat Fu's life in the past ten years. Chan Chi Wan also recounted that when he and Uncle Six went to Malaysia for Liu Chia-Chang's concert, Uncle Six told Chi Wan in detail how he handled the Malaysia mob back then.

When TVB CEO Norman Leung Nai Peng left work yesterday, he was asked about Aunt Six Mona Fong Yat wa's mood. He said, "It's a little better, Ah Sir passed way two days ago. It's not like he passed a long time again. (Any progress on the memorial event?) I don't know yet, but an announcement can be made at anytime."

Ng See Yuen remembered Siu Yat Fu. He said that while working at Shaw his salary was very low, but he was very happy about the chance to join Shaw because it made many entertaining films that could last for a few generations of people to enjoy. When Ng See Yuen was an assistant director at Shaw, he saw Uncle Six patrolling the studio everyday without fail. He said that Uncle Six would not randomly start production. Shaw was a commercial film kingdom, it had to make movies that most viewers would welcome. He did not permit art film or movies that were too forward. Once a new director showed some footage to Uncle Six, he did not accept it and even burnt the film.

Ng See Yuen said that the Shaw film kingdom suffered two setbacks. When Lee Han Hsiang left he brought a group of people with him to form Grand Motion Picture, which created a tremendous impact. At the time Uncle Six posted a black list notice to prohibit entrance. He also said that when Fong Yat Wa joined Shaw, established the purchasing department and supervised all expenses including how many extras were used, Raymond Chow Man Wai was upset and left. He took a group and formed Golden Harvest to directly compete with Shaw, which also had quite an impact on Uncle Six. The rise of independent films also made Uncle Six feel melancholy, and he redirected his energy to television.

Jackie Chan yesterday posted an eulogy of Sir Run Run Shaw online. He lamented that when he first started making films his respect and admiration for Shaw's films. Later he worked hard to make something of himself. He said, "Mr. Siu Yat Fu said that starting a career and making money are types of gratification. Spending money and donation are types of joy. Mr. Siu has always been my role model for his charity work. In the future whether in film or charity, I will properly keep on going."

Eric Tsang Chi Wai yesterday expressed great admiration for this film and television tycoon. Uncle Six was someone who made the greatest contribution to Hong Kong film. Without him there would be no Hong Kong film. The rarest was his charitable heart. Uncle Six would always walk on the forefront of the entertainment circle. When he saw the decline of film he immediately jumped to the television industry. However he said that when he was a stunt man at Shaw he did not have a chance to chat with Uncle Six. Only until recent years did he have a chance to greet him. He even said, "When I went to Shaw to report the Lunar New Year film progress to Ms. Fong, she would call me in to greet Ah Sir. When he was alert he would say hello and nod."

Aaron Kwok Fu Sing started at TVB. He remembered shaking hands with Uncle Six during the Lunar New Year group visit. He said that Uncle Six was an important and great man. He has influenced many Hong Kong artists. He even established the Shaw Prize, which was even more important to the entire world. He would always be remembered.

Gordon Liu (Lau Ka Fai) worked on many Shaw films. Fan Yik Man said that when she visited Brother Ka Fai yesterday she mentioned the news of Uncle Six's passing to him. He only simply said, "He was very old!" He also said that he was upset, as he only stared like he was remembering the past.

Artist Law Lok Lam was a student in the final class of the Shaw's South Nation Actor Training Class. Yesterday morning when he went to work at the Tseung Kwan O Television City, he was asked about the passing of Sir Run Run Shaw. Law Lok Lam pointed out that back then Shaw films were thriving, it was at its peak and had the reputation of "Shaw Release, Good Film Guarantee". He was a part of it and felt very proud, but he had very little contact with Uncle Six. He said, "Ultimately he was the boss, we were actors. However my impression of him was kind, sharp, energetic and capable. Later he also put a lot of effort into charity. Many people with more money than him would not necessarily do so. He in the hearts of Shaw people was absolutely a successful person who was rare to find. Although he was so old, hearing the news of passing I still feel a little upset inside."

Last night around 11, Xinhua Agency issued a release as Liu Yandong, the Vice Premier, sent her condolences to Uncle Six's family and expressed deep sorrow over Uncle Six's passing. Liu Yandong said that over the years that she has known Siu Yat Fu, she praised him for a lifetime of "loving his country and Hong Kong, overcoming hardship to create a business, helping the world with charity and was truly admirable to all". Uncle Six once served as a Hong Kong affair consultant and served the purpose of Hong Kong's successful Hand Over, vibrancy and stability. He also made contributions to the vibrancy of Hong Kong and even the China film and television industries and taking them to the world. Liu also praised Uncle Six for his years of supporting charities.

Emperor executive Ng Yu and now TV executive Ho Lai Chuen yesterday appeared at an event. Once a TVB employee, Ng Yu felt that Uncle Six's passing was regrettable. "Without Ah Sir (Siu Yat Fu), TVB wouldn't be here today." He remembered back when Uncle Six was in his 80s they had a meeting, he praised Uncle Six for being very alert and clear minded. He was extremely concerned with productions and provided a lot of opinions. He was very humorous and never yelled at them. He had no arrogance and was a lovably and gentle elder. Ng Yu remembered the most when Uncle Six imported the Taiwan series JUSTICE BAO for TVB broadcast. At first everyone questioned his decision, finally it caused a storm when it was released. Uncle Six truly had quite an eye. He also pointed out Uncle Six at age 80 or 90 still went to the cinema and watch two to three films everyday. He curiously looked at Uncle Six to see if he was asleep, but he saw Uncle Six was so focused that he was clapping and laughing. Ng Yu pointed out that Uncle Six gave his life to entertainment and the film industry. His credit could not be ignored. He was great. Has he consoled Ms. Mona Fong Yat Wa? He said that he has not yet, as she would be very busy. In addition, Ho Lai Chuen said that he did not know too much about TVB again trying to hinder HKTV's station launch as it ended the lease on six peak relay stations. He would ask the company about it as now TV is also planning to launch. The series that Raymond Lam Fung made last year has already received approval. This year the station will make at least two more series. In addition, he pointed out that now will release a Uncle Six special that has already landed classic Shaw film footage and will interview those related like Ivy Ling Po and Michael Hui Koon Man.

The Hong Kong Film Award plans to add a salute segment in its April award show. Yesterday the Hong Kong Film Award board member Tin Kai Man said, "Last week the board will talk about it. Because at the 2007 Hong Kong Film Award the Century Film Achievement Award was already given to Uncle Six, the Hong Kong Film Award really has to study how to eulogize this film industry giant. I believe the salute segment would be the most basic that we have to do!"

Claiming to be romantic but not dirty, Sir Run Run Shaw (Uncle Six) went from a film kingdom to a television station to become the boss. In his life he had many beauties around him. Early in the Shaw era, romantic rumors about Uncle Six always lingered. The Doll Screen Queen Lee Ching was rumored to be the favorite. 70s erotic star Susan Shaw Yam Yam has also gone with Uncle Six to the Peninsula Hotel for dinner. Yesterday she said, "Back then he took several of us girls to dinner. I didn't know how to use the knife and the fork. He wouldn't mind teach me how to use them and a little table manner." How did she feel about Uncle Six being romantic? She said, "In the past 'romantic' described royalty and high society aristocratic aura. He absolutely could live up to that." She once received a shawl from Uncle Six that she still has today.

Some said that the three secrets to Uncle Six's longevity was healthy living, Qi Gong and beauty gazing. Thus Uncle Six was in the audience of every Miss Hong Kong pageant. Many Miss Hong Kong top three finishers have held Uncle Six's hand and were invited to his home for dinner or private movie screenings. In 2006, Tracy Ip Chui Chui and Sharon Luk Sze Wan flanked Uncle Six at the Miss Hong Kong finals. Uncle Six tensely "grabbed" Chui Chi's arm, the then 98 years still was willing and able. The 1998 winner Anne Heung Hoi Lan said, "I have been to his home for dinner. He still remembered that I made THE LEGEND OF LADY YANG. I was very happy that he recognized me." The 1994 winner Halina Tam Siu Wan said, "I went to the Shaw Mansion to watch movies, with many elders whom I don't recognize. We watched some old films from 60s and 70s."

Uncle Six would even dig for a topic among the details. The 2003 second runner up Priscilla Chi (Chik Doi Doi) said, "Uncle Six would ask a lot of questions in English, to see if you are cold? I remember back then my dress had a ribbon in the back and I couldn't lean back to sit. He told me to sit more comfortable." 1996 second runner up Fiona Yuen Choi Wan at dinner was asked, "Your eyes are very red." Choi Wan still remembered that. "I am not used to wearing colored contact lenses, I never expect him to have such great eyesight." 2007 second runner up Lorretta Chow Mei Yan also studied gel fingernails with Uncle Six. 2000 Miss Hong Kong candidates Candy Chu Yuen Yi revealed online that she ran into Uncle Six in an elevator. Uncle Six gave her big bag a prop and asked, "Isn't your bag heavy?" His intimate behavior surprised her.

Uncle Six not only appeared hand in hand lovingly with his wife Mona Fong Yat Wa. In recent years Jojo Cho Chung, Shirley Cheung Yuk Shan and others took turns to be by his side. Cho Chung said that Uncle Six was tough and did not like other people giving him a hand. She revealed that Uncle Six had other interests. "I have been to many cities and provinces in China with Mr. and Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Shaw's favorite is whole grains like corn and potato. He really like to read letters from those who received his donations. He would use a magnifying glass to read each one. He was very charitable."