Chinatown Kid () is a 1977 kung fu film directed by Chang Cheh. Produced by the Shaw Brothers, it stars Alexander Fu Sheng and the Venom Mob. The film deals with drugs, police corruption and gang warfare in San Francisco's Chinatown district.
Plot
Struggling to survive the murderous gang wars of Hong Kong, Tan Tung (Alexander Fu Sheng), a young martial arts street fighter, successfully takes on all challengers—until he runs up against the savage underworld empire of Hong Kong's Triad mafia. Escaping to San Francisco, he again tangles with criminal gangs, but this time fights his way to the top of the city's most feared gangster organization led by the White Dragon boss (Philip Kwok). Eventually, his rise to power leads to a final, murderous, gang-land war for control of all Chinatown. Tan Tung must decide whether he will use his skills to fight for evil, or to help his friend Yang Chien-wen (Sun Chien).
Cast
Alexander Fu Sheng as Tan Tung
Sun Chien as Yang Chien-wen
Jenny Tseng as Yvonne/Lee Wa Fung
Philip Kwok as Hsiao Pai-lung, the boss of White Dragon gang
Lo Mang as Huang Hu-ti, the boss of Green Tiger gang
Shirley Yu as Lena Chen
Siu Yam-yam as Hsin Wa
Wang Lung-wei as Xu Hao
Tsai Hung as Wan
Wong Lik as Wan's right-hand man
Ching Ho Wang as Tan Tung's grandfather
Chih Ching-wang as Chinese restaurant owner
Dick Wei as Huang's henchman
Chiang Sheng as Hsiao's henchman
Lu Feng as Hsiao's henchman
Kara Hui as hostage
Production
Chang Cheh began planning for the film in 1976 and had shot some scenes in Hong Kong before putting the project on hold for a year to complete Shaolin Temple, The Naval Commandos, and The Brave Archer. Filming took place in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States. Chang spent four days shooting on location in San Francisco's Chinatown. Due to not having secured a permit, much of the footage was taken in secret. Portions of the Chinatown district were later recreated on a sound stage at the Shaw Brothers Studio.
Before filming wrapped, Chang was persuaded by Sir Run Run Shaw to add a shooting scene after the latter learned of the Golden Dragon massacre that took place in San Francisco months after their U.S. visit. The event was later used to fuel publicity for the picture shortly before its theatrical debut.
Reception
Chinatown Kid was negatively compared to Chang's previous films, notably Boxer From Shantung which followed a similar premise, and was criticized as a less impactful iteration of the director's trademark 'Rise and Fall' Tragic Hero archetype that failed to break any new ground.However, it became a cult hit in the United States. Critics at Cinapse felt the film provided social commentary on the lives of migrant workers within the Chinese American community and an almost cynical critique of the American Dream. In 2022, the film was cited as having resonated with marginalized groups within the States through its depiction of a character experiencing oppression and poverty and resorting to organized crime to survive.
Alexander Fu Sheng and Sun Chien received praise for their performances. One critic described their opposing yet complimentary characteristics as one of the film's strongest points. The character of Tung was described as Fu's "most mature and heartbreaking work" while the film has been credited as helping the actor achieve international recognition in the States.
Censorship and alternate cuts
The film's depiction of gang violence and drug use resulted in several scenes being cut from its theatrical releases in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Actress Siu Yam-yam revealed that, to ensure the film would get a release in Malaysia, an alternate ending was filmed where Tung is killed instead of being arrested, claiming that "in Malaysia, if the bad guy doesn't die, it won't pass the censors."
At least three endings for the film are known to exist, one in which Tung and the gangs are arrested and another in which he is stabbed in his fight and dies of his injuries. According to Chang, a third ending was shot that was not included in either its international or original release: supposedly, Tung was to be pursued by police onto a bridge where he would then fall to his death.