Kao Pao-shu

Kao Pao-shu

Birth : 1939-02-02, Suzhou, China

Death : 2000-07-20

History

Kao Pao-shu or Gao Baoshu (Chinese: 高寶樹; 1932–2000) was a Chinese actress, producer, writer and film director who appeared in over 100 films during her career. Originally from China, Kao moved to Hong Kong in 1951, where she acted in minor role before joining Shaw Brothers Studio in 1958. Here, she starred in over 80 films, working alongside directors Yueh Feng and Cheng Kang, and she made her directorial debut in 1970 in Lady with a Sword. Later she started her own company, producing films throughout the 1970s before she retired in the 1980s. In July 2000, she died at the age of 68.

Profile

Kao Pao-shu

Movies

Seed of Evil
Screenplay
A 1981 Hong Kong thriller from actress turned directed Kao Pao-Shu.
Seed of Evil
Director
A 1981 Hong Kong thriller from actress turned directed Kao Pao-Shu.
The Master Strikes
Producer
A martial arts master, Tseng Tien-Tu, is employed by master criminal Lung Tung Chien to transport a valuable jade horse. When the horse inexplicably goes missing, Chien demands Tseng's life savings as recompense, driving the uncomprehending Tseng insane. Two conniving con men, Li and Lung, try to convince Tseng that he was double-crossed by Chien, in an attempt to lead them to Chien's stockpile of swindled fortunes.
The Master Strikes
Writer
A martial arts master, Tseng Tien-Tu, is employed by master criminal Lung Tung Chien to transport a valuable jade horse. When the horse inexplicably goes missing, Chien demands Tseng's life savings as recompense, driving the uncomprehending Tseng insane. Two conniving con men, Li and Lung, try to convince Tseng that he was double-crossed by Chien, in an attempt to lead them to Chien's stockpile of swindled fortunes.
The Master Strikes
Director
A martial arts master, Tseng Tien-Tu, is employed by master criminal Lung Tung Chien to transport a valuable jade horse. When the horse inexplicably goes missing, Chien demands Tseng's life savings as recompense, driving the uncomprehending Tseng insane. Two conniving con men, Li and Lung, try to convince Tseng that he was double-crossed by Chien, in an attempt to lead them to Chien's stockpile of swindled fortunes.
The Jade Fox
In her bid for domination of the kingdom, a wicked woman invites opponents to their doom at her 'Fairyland' estate.
The Jade Fox
Director
In her bid for domination of the kingdom, a wicked woman invites opponents to their doom at her 'Fairyland' estate.
Robber, Pros & Money
Writer
To free his girlfriend from her contract with a greedy madam, Shang Li (Don Wong) teams up with a cold-blooded thief called the Sparrow (Chiang-lung Wen) to hijack a large shipment of silver. But when the heist suddenly goes bad, Shang Li finds himself with blood on his hands and a price on his head. Martial arts superstars Angela Mao and Lieh Lo also star in this kung fu classic from writer-director Pao-Shu Kao.
Robber, Pros & Money
Director
To free his girlfriend from her contract with a greedy madam, Shang Li (Don Wong) teams up with a cold-blooded thief called the Sparrow (Chiang-lung Wen) to hijack a large shipment of silver. But when the heist suddenly goes bad, Shang Li finds himself with blood on his hands and a price on his head. Martial arts superstars Angela Mao and Lieh Lo also star in this kung fu classic from writer-director Pao-Shu Kao.
Lost Swordship
A golden-masked clan master, who had killed many top fighters, was determined to acquire an invincible sword manual so as to rule the martial world. Hence, he pursued a swordsman who possessed the manual, but the latter managed to escape and discovered a cave whereby he met two martial arts masters who taught him the invincible sword skills...
Low Society
Tang Li
A misguided youth falls into the bad company of an underground brothel syndicate but redeems himself on discovering that his mother was murdered by the syndicate's female boss.
Low Society
Screenplay
A misguided youth falls into the bad company of an underground brothel syndicate but redeems himself on discovering that his mother was murdered by the syndicate's female boss.
Low Society
Director
A misguided youth falls into the bad company of an underground brothel syndicate but redeems himself on discovering that his mother was murdered by the syndicate's female boss.
Female Fugitive
Screenplay
The police close in on ""Miss Big Boss"" the leader of a large drug organization, centered in the Golden Triangle. Meanwhile, two kids find themselves on the run after witnessing the murder of an undercover police officer.
Female Fugitive
Director
The police close in on ""Miss Big Boss"" the leader of a large drug organization, centered in the Golden Triangle. Meanwhile, two kids find themselves on the run after witnessing the murder of an undercover police officer.
The Virgin Mart
Director
Innocent girls are lured to Hong Kong and trapped in a prostitution ring.
Win Them All
(Guest star)
Filial daughter seeks revenge on father's killer. She must associate with dishonest people to finance her mission.
Win Them All
Director
Filial daughter seeks revenge on father's killer. She must associate with dishonest people to finance her mission.
Trilogy of Swordsmanship
Ying Ying's Mother
Three martial arts directors united for this unique anthology film. Yueh Feng writes and directs a clever love-and-kung-fu triangle, Cheng Kang both writes and directs kung-fu courtesans battling brigands, and the "godfather of the kung-fu film," Chang Cheh, creates a cliff-hanging, swashbuckling mini-movie with maxi-action.
The Cannibals
Director
A man (Chang Yi) is looking for stolen money (gold coins) and seeking revenge for the death of his master.
Blood of the Dragon
Writer
White Dragon must get a list with the names of rebel supporters to Prince Ma Tung, the leader of the rebellion. Trying to stop him in his mission is the evil Prime Minister, who naturally wants the list in order to crush his opposition. Adding another complication is the fact that Ma Tung wants to kill White Dragon in revenge for the humiliation Tung's father suffered in a duel against White Dragon years earlier.
Blood of the Dragon
Director
White Dragon must get a list with the names of rebel supporters to Prince Ma Tung, the leader of the rebellion. Trying to stop him in his mission is the evil Prime Minister, who naturally wants the list in order to crush his opposition. Adding another complication is the fact that Ma Tung wants to kill White Dragon in revenge for the humiliation Tung's father suffered in a duel against White Dragon years earlier.
Lady with a Sword
Director
Feng Fei Fei, an excellent swordswoman, seeks revenge with her nephew for the murder of her old sister, who got killed by some rogues on her way home. She soon finds out that the murderer is the son of her father's best friend and her future husband.
A Place to Call Home
Julie Liou
Li Ching plays one of three daughters, whose life is turned upside down when she discovers she is adopted. But things get even worse when she goes in search of her real mother. Finally, after almost a double tragedy, she realizes what so many knew all along: There's no place like home.
Double Bliss
Mrs. Li
A melodrama about the blossoming love between two music students returning home from abroad and planning to wed. However, both of their parents don't know about it and when they find out, all bliss blasts away as social gaps become an issue.
The Golden Sword
7th Lady
Lo Wei remains internationally famous for directing Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan's first major movies. Cheng Pei-pei is now internationally famous for her superlative role in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. But both were superstars in Hong Kong for decades prior, so any teaming of the superlative "swordswoman supreme" and the vaunted director/writer/actor is cause for celebration. Kao Yuen joins them as a noble swordsman, and watch, too, for award-winning actor Ku Feng as the "Frontier Terror" in the evocative and effective "Martial Art World" adventure.
Vengeance Is a Golden Blade
Mrs Li Yuexiang
Li Zhishan is a rich man, but wealth cannot keep the loyalties of his wife, who has been visiting the bed of a rival. She helps plot against him, and the Vicious Long Brothers invade his home and steal the Golden Dragon Blade - a sword that makes its wielder unbeatable. Zhishan, crippled in the attack, and his young daughter are whisked away by a devoted servant, and the trio soon find shelter in the home of an herbalist. Years pass, the daughter grows up to be a lovely young woman and a powerful fighter, and the Long Brothers use the Golden Dragon Blade to gain power in the region. Zhishan's family of sorts has managed to stay well hidden, but a trip into the city - the daughter's first - sets off an old power struggle as Zhishan's wife discovers her daughter is quite alive.
Spring Blossoms
Mrs Zhao
Spring Blossoms is a parable about the Chinese youth culture and what's important to the younger generation when it comes to romance. It starred a new wave of seventies, Shaw's beauties, Lily Li, Shu Pei-pei and Essie Lin-chia as single women looking for love. It's a triple-decker romantic bus ride on a road to nowhere speeding toward a low bridge. Only Lily Li became successful via her martial-arts abilities, so awesomely featured in Jackie Chan's The Young Master.
Mist over Dream Lake
Hsu Chieh Chun
Shaw Production
King Drummer
Sun's mother
Ling Yun plays the replacement hired for a popular band whose egotistic drummer quit to join a rival group. When the new arrival becomes a hit, he earns the jealous wrath of the predecessor. Meanwhile, the young drummer's mother is fervently against his music career. With the gorgeous Lily Ho as the manageress of the band and some terrific drumming set pieces, the whole thing, needless to say, comes off with a bang.
Trapeze Girl
Jin-Hua
A Shaw Brothers Circus Drama about a Trapeze Girl
The Midnight Murder
Madame Wang
That Tender Age
Wen-Chieh's mother
Characters live through that Tender Age
Too Late for Love
Li Juan
Su Fen, a young and frail girl, looked forward to her wedding with her fiancé, Li Kuo-liang. The happy couple's bliss was cut short when war broke out. Kuo-liang was summoned to fight at the front lines. In his absence, Su Fen discovered she had tuberculosis.
The Goddess of Mercy
Princess Miao Yun
With her elegant classic persona, Li Li-hua was the ideal performer for period aristocratic and imperial roles. The Goddess Of Mercy is a good example of her strong empathy and noble presence. The youngest daughter of a brutal king, the princess openly disapproves of the floggings and cruel treatment her royal family heaps on the peasants. As a result, the heartless king turns on his own daughter forcing her into exile. This humanistic tale will inspire and hearten even the most cynical viewer.
The Pearl Phoenix
Mrs Huo
Huangmei Opera movies like The Pearl Phoenix are unique to 1960's Hong Kong culture, a product of the Swinging Sixties but considerably more in touch with their Chinese roots. This one is complete with a gender-bending tale where the male lead is played by female and the female lead poses as a man, plus movie queen Li Ching and the singing voices of Ivy Ling Po and Jing Ting. Sit back and enjoy!
The Joy of Spring
Teacher
Hong Kong musical directed by Lo Chen.
The Blue and the Black 2
Madame Kao's Eldest Daughter-in-Law
Part two of the wartime love story
The Blue and the Black
Madame Kao's eldest daughter-in-law
It's a powerful melodrama about a thwarted romance in 1930s Tientsin, China, during the Japanese occupation, and it stars Linda Lin Dai, one of the era's most popular stars. It was part of Golden Horse's 100 Greatest Chinese-Language Films.
The Monkey Goes West
Green Snake Demon
THE MONKEY GOES WEST is the first entry in the studio’s epic, four-part screen adaptation of “Journey to the West,” a 16th-century novel recounting the efforts of a Buddhist monk and his magical companions to travel to India and bring back Buddhist sutras.
The Twin Swords
Gan Sumei
Gui Wu happens upon a kidnapping with his wife Gan Lian-zhu at the Red Lotus Temple. Lian-zhu sends Wu to go for reinforcements while she stays to fight the kidnappers. Fortunately, the mysterious Scarlet Maid is surreptitiously helping her.
Squadron 77
Kuo Chiang's mother
Spy thriller set in occupied Shanghai. Li Lihua stars as the woman who is thrust into the role of nationalist freedom fighter when she discovers that her husband is a collaborator with the Japanese.
Inside the Forbidden City
Empress Liu
It seems that Li Zhenfei was once an imperial concubine, who often found herself competing with her rival Madame Liu for the emperor's sole, undivided attention. When Li gives birth to the Emperor's child, the jealous Liu switches the boy with a cat and commands a servant named Kou Zhu to kill the baby. However, Kou Zhu ignores the order and gives the prince-to-be to the emperor's brother, a decision which eventually leads to the boy being adopted by the emperor himself! But as fate would have it, to go along with his new son, the emperor has a new wife as well - Madame Liu! As this strange new family unit is being constructed, poor Li Zhenfei has been confined to the forbidden palace, condemned to never see or speak to her son, the prince. But destiny reunites her with her son, but will this family reunion be a happy one? And will Madame Liu finally be punished for her treachery?
The Lark
Bao's wife
A musical staring Carrie Ku Mei as a singer named Xiaoyun Shi, who comes to Hong Kong after a tour of other Asian countries, hoping to develop her career.
Sons of the Good Earth
Mrs Chang Erh Hu
War film set during the second Sino-Japanese war.
The Butterfly Chalice
Madam Lu
The story revolves around Tian Yu Quan (Chin Feng) who rushes to the aid of an elderly fisherman who is bullied by an arrogant relative of the Qiu Shan ministry. In the heat of the ensuing battle he kills the said man and is hence chased by the district's officials. Trying to use the waterway to shake off his enemies, Yu Quan finds a true friend in the old fisherman's bark-stearing daughter, Hu Feng Lian (Ting Hung) who becomes his loyal accomplice. As symbol for his gratitude, Yu Quan bestows Feng Lian with a Butterfly Chalice to reflect their eternal friendship bond...
Temple of the Red Lotus
Jin Su Mei, Lian Zhu's aunt
Jimmy Wang Yu plays a young kid who heads off to Dragon Valley to meet the childhood friend who was promised as his bride. When he gets there, he finds that the family of the bride might not be an entirely honest bunch of people though. What is the story behind their feud with the monks at the Temple Of The Red Lotus, for a start?
The Female Prince
Madame Hsia
The husband-and-wife team of Ivy Ling Po and Chin Han returned to another Huangmei Opera classic after Lady General Hua Mu-Lan. Helmed by Chow Sze-loke and written by Chang Cheh, the story revolved around two intellectual siblings, Ching Feng-sheng (Chin Feng) and Ching Feng-hsiao (Ivy Ling Po), who were constantly abused by their stepmother Hsia (Kao Pao-shu). Feng-hsiao was engaged to Li Ru-lung (Chin Han) since birth, but the greedy Hsia forced him to forfeit the marriage. When Ru-lung refused, Hsia framed him for thievery and put him behind bars. To rescue her lover, Feng-hsiao dressed as a young man and went to the capital. She then used Ru-lung's name to enter the national exam and was ranked first place. Impressed by Feng-hsiao, the Emperor decided to let her wed the Princess (Fang Ying). On the wedding night, Feng-hsiao revealed the truth to the Princess...
The Story of Sue San
Madam Pi
This gripping story centers on the romance between Wang Chin Lung and Sue San. Although they may be perfectly matched when it comes to their love for one other, the two come from remarkably different social ranks. While Chin Lung is the son of a respected government official, Su San is a prostitute, albeit a famous one.
Comedy of Mismatches
Weiliang's mother
Comedy of Mismatches begins with widow Sun who single-handedly raises her son Yu Lang (Chin Feng) and daughter Zhu Yi (Li Hsiang Chun). One day, Mother Sun sends her children to the temple, where Yu Lang encounters Hui Niang (Pat Ting). Artist Xu Ya is also at the temple, praying that his daughter Wen Gu (Carrie Ku) will find a good husband. Soon after, Wen Gu encounters nobleman's son Pei Zheng (Wai Mao) and the two fall in love at first sight.
The Coin
1963 film
The Dancing Millionairess
Mrs. Sun
Chen Hou is a chauffeur who gets caught in a mistaken identity scandal linking him to businesswoman Lok Dai. Chen was supposed to audition for a job as her chauffeur, but a proposed musical show is far more attractive to the aspiring dancer. When a rumor gets out that the two are involved in an affair, she's angry and confronts him, but his charms overwhelm her, and it's revealed that she too desires to dance. Soon she's bankrolling the affair, the sets are being built, and the singing and dancing begin!
Between Tears and Smiles
Mrs. Tao
Fan Chia-soo is a kind-hearted student whose heart is captured by the sweet song of Shen Feng-hsien. However, he is not the only one who has eyes for Shen. The General's henchmen are also determined to present the songstress to their superior as a gift. Fan received help from an unexpected quarter to save the woman he loves.
Three Sinners
Yi Li-Chiao
Based on one particular storyline from The Water Margin, Three Sinners weaves an intriguing story of romance, treachery, and death, all within the context of the traditional Huangmei Opera. Yan Jun casts his real-life wife, the elegant Li Li Hua, star of such Shaw Brothers films as The Goddess of Mercy and Vermillion Door, as one of the title characters, a woman who finds herself in the middle of a stormy love triangle involving her controlling husband (director Yan Jun serving double duty in a starring role) and a passionate lover (Chen Yan Yan).
The Adulteress
Magistrate Liu's wife
The noted actress Li Li-hua, star of more than sixty films since 1947, beautifully portrays the drugged, then disgraced wife of a peddler in the waning days of the Ching Dynasty. To make matters worse, she’s soon framed for her husband’s murder by her rapist - the son of the local magistrate! And even that isn’t the end of her woes. It’s best to have a box of tissues nearby as two expert directors ratchet up the emotional suspense in this consummate tearjerker.
Return of the Phoenix
Mrs. Cheng
Return Of The Phoenix is yet another masterpiece from prolific director Li Han-hsiang. An imperial minister Cheng Pu (Ching Miao) is faced with a quandary. He's getting old and his daughters are still not married. Elder daughter Shueh-yeh (Elizabeth Chuang) is so ugly no one wants her. Younger daughter Shueh-wu (Li Hsiang-chun) is beautiful but Mrs Cheng refuses to let her marry before her elder sister. The drama unfolds when Cheng decides to marry Shueh-wu off.
Bitter Sweet
A widow of four gave up two of her children to be raised by an uncle in Singapore. Many years later, just when the widow, now a house maid, is feeling contented by good news of her long gone son and daughter, she accidentally runs into his own son, now a lawyer, and ends up being looked down upon by him. It was a story about how traditional Chinese family and its value was impacted by the change of time. The movie depicted Macau in 1945 to Hong Kong in the mid-60s, moving from poverty after WWII to opulence. The human relationships became complicated and fragile. Many elements uniquely "Hong Kong", such as upper class Chinese, western religions, English speaking and a mixed-culture society are used to contrast the traditional, kind, enduring and forgiving love of a mother.
Empress Wu
Lady Shang Kuan
The renowned Li Li Hua plays Wu Ze Tian, the most famous woman in China's four thousand year history.
The Love Eterne
Ms. Meng
In this dreamy romance set in China during the fourth-century, a young woman convinces her parents to allow her to dress as a boy and attend university.
Love Parade
Lady Snow
The winning couple of Linda Lin Dai and Peter Chen Hu light up the screen in the delightful Shaw Brothers musical Love Parade!
The Dream of the Red Chamber
Elder brother's wife Wang Xifeng
The Ching Dynasty novel The Dream of The Red Chamber is not only the most widely read, but also the most filmed book in Chinese history. The sprawling love story has proven a challenge to many filmmakers, but this version is acclaimed as the most successful. A sumptuous feature which took three years of planning and another for production, it was a hugely popular and critical hit which still stands out as a classic of both 18th century literature and 1960s moviemaking.
Love Without End
Meng Li
Li Qingqing, an orphan, just arrives in Hong Kong and becomes a singer who sacrifices everything for her man.
Oh Boys! Oh Girls!
A Shaw Brothers comedy starring Margaret Tu Chuan and Paul Chang Chung,
Les Belles
Mrs Ma
Linda Lin Dai and Fanny Fan join the dancing troupe of Kao Pao-shu. Linda and Kao's son Peter Chen, manager of the troupe, have misunderstandings and dislike each other.
The Frosty Night
Loosely based on Maxim Gorky's The Lower Depths
Corpse-Drivers of Xiangxi
Yu Wa's Mother
Hong Kong horror.
Rainstorm in Chinatown
Hsiao Yan
Jiang Lizhen's husband, Wang Gensheng, went to Nanyang to make a living. After ten years of separation, there was no news. Jane took her daughter to find her husband, but found out that she was born into a wealthy family.
A Lonely Heart
Wet nurse
A Shaw and Sons production.
Heart Break Well
The eldest daughter of an elderly couple, murders her lover and goes to jail. The youngest daughter, Yin Ni, is taken to her hometown to escape the scandal. While there, Yin Ni becomes involved with a painter, Xu Liang, and tragedy also falls upon her...
Happy Encounter
An early Drama by the Daai Wa (Da Hua) Film Company