| 'The Mermaid' (1964, I presume) is an enjoyable Shaw Brothers-produced Huangmei opera film, possibly inspired by 'The Little Mermaid' written by Hans Christian Anderson, from a genre lost in the past. My knowledge of Huangmei opera and Huangmei films is limited, but I still enjoyed this flick. Zhang Zhen (Ivy Ling Po) is a young scholar whose given shelter by a Prime Minister (Yang Chi Ching) after Zhang's parents pass away. Zhang has a crush on the PM's lovely, albeit spoiled daughter Peony (Li Ching), but the PM won't allow his daughter to marry Zhang and Peony has no interest in Scholar Zhang, either. For about a year, Zhang is cooped up in his quarters and he has to study for an imperial exam. While suffering from boredom, cabin fever, and lonliness, Zhang tries to lift his mood by feeding fish in a pond near his quarters. One day, a fish ("a Carp Spirit", also played by Li Ching) morphs into human form and she superficially resembles the PM's daughter, Peony. Lots of confusion and hijinks take place as the Carp Spirit integrates herself in the human world. What's Zhang to do when he falls for this spirit that resembles Peony? Actor Ching Miao, father of actress Ching Li (not to be confused with Shaw Brothers "Baby Queen" Li Ching) makes a special appearance as the fair, impartial Judge Pao/Bao Zheng.
Once again, Ivy Ling Po shows us that she can portray a man as gracefully as she can play a woman. The lovely and talented Li Ching also does a credible job playing dual roles. The special effects are crude, but they get the job done. There's a bloodless (well, 99.2% bloodless) sword battle that breaks out in the climax. The choreography is very blocky, but this isn't a Chang Cheh or Lau Ka Leung film, so it's no big deal. I have to admit that 'The Mermaid' did get really bizarre when the fantasy scenes took place. In one scene, Li Ching is walking on clouds (this scene may have been filmed on an ice skating rink with a fog machines and a matte painting in the background). 'The Mermaid' may not be the best film in the Huangmei opera film genre, but it is good, lightweight fun. Enjoy! |
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