WHO IS MADAME FAN FOK-FA or WHAT'S THIS OLD CHICK DOING IN MY KUNG FU MOVIE?

Fans know who Master Yu Jim-yuen was: the Peking Opera teacher who trained Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Corey Yuen (who directed several Jet Li flicks as well as the action in ROMEO MUST DIE), and Yuen Biao (star of THE PRODIGAL SON). Jackie Chan has compared their harsh training to the torturous first half of FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE but, despite the hardships, Master Yu has turned out the most famous martial artists in the world. Known collectively as the Seven Little Fortunes, in addition to Jackie, Sammo, Corey, and Yuen Biao, they include Yuen Wah (who plays the vampire in MR. VAMPIRE), Yuen Mo, Yuen Choi, and Yuen Tak.

But, on the other side of town, there was another Peking Opera teacher, one who's not so well known, but whose impact may have been greater: Madame Fan Fok-fa and her Spring and Autumn Drama School. Her students are the legions of hard-hitting, high-impact falling, furniture-breaking stuntmen and kung fu character actors who make up the bulk of Sammo Hung's stunt team, and some of Hong Kong's unsung talents. While Master Yuen is better known, Madame Fan Fok-fa is like the musician's musician, less well-known but deeply respected and her students are her true legacy. Here's a list of the famous faces who've moved from pulling dumb stunts (like stealing their teacher's costumes and selling them for candy) to motion picture immortality.

Lam Ching-ying - best known as the stern Taoist priest he played for the latter half of his career, Lam Ching-ying learned to play female roles in Peking Opera under Madame Fan Fok-fa. He stars in Sammo Hung's THE PRODIGAL SON, plays the local constable in ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND, and the Taoist priest in MR. VAMPIRE. His role in MR. VAMPIRE would make him a cinematic icon, and he reprised it (with minor variations) for the rest of his career until his death of liver cancer in 1997.

Chin Kar-lok - cute as a button, and scrappy as hell, Chin Kar-lok has made his living doubling for actors like Jackie Chan, Andy Lau and Michelle Yeoh. When a stunt or a kick proved too difficult for the heavy hitters they gave Chin Kar-lok a call. He's packed on the pounds in the last few years and has become one of Hong Kong's best stunt drivers and the director of a series of Hong Kong/Japanese kung fu comedies.

Chin Siu-ho - Chin Kar-lok's older brother, Chin Siu-ho is the matinee idol who never was. After playing the good-looking sidekick with the killer kung fu in MR. VAMPIRE he starred in flicks like THE SEVENTH CURSE and BURY ME HIGH, but never reached the heights he seemed to deserve. He played the bad guy in Jet Li's TAI CHI MASTER and his pal/rival in FIST OF LEGEND.

Peter Chan - Yuen Biao's annoying, pug-cheeked servant in THE PRODIGAL SON, he also played the Hair Club for Men candidate and evil Taoist Priest, Chin Hoi, in Sammo Hung's ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND. He was one of the mainstays of Sammo Hung's Stunt Team throughout the 1980's.

Chung Fat - the scratchy, lanky Chung Fat was also known as the Cat Fighter and his best known role is as the good Taoist Priest, Tsui, in Sammo Hung's ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND.

Meng Hoi - an essential part of Sammo Hung's Stunt Team, he also starred alongside Yuen Biao in ZU WARRIORS OF THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN. He had featured roles in HEART OF DRAGON and PEDICAB DRIVER. He directed the action on Michelle Yeoh's AH KAM (aka STORY OF A STUNTWOMAN), and he appeared in ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND 2. He also dated The Blonde Fury, Cynthia Rothrock, when she lived in Hong Kong.

Mars - constantly appearing with Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, Mars is the unattractive guy with the square face. His list of credits is endless, but you can see him in almost any Jackie Chan movie, taking three-story falls, going through plate glass windows, and getting beaten to a pulp.

Fung Hark-on & Lee Hoi-shan have played bad guys in over 80 films since the early ‘80s.

John Lone - the Asian-American actor studied with Madame Fan Fok-fa before moving to the United States.

Hsia Hou - Lau Kar-leung's most acrobatic martial artist protege, he appeared in a number of films where he bounces of the walls, floors and ceilings, taking out legions of baddies on the way. Sample of his credits: MAD MONKEY KUNG FU, DIRTY HO, LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA, IRON MONKEY.

Stephen Tung-wai - action choreographer of John Woo's A BETTER TOMORROW, Wong Kar-wai's AS TEARS GO BY, and Tsui Hark's THE BLADE (amongst others) he also directed the criminally under-rated Jade Leung vehicle, FOX HUNTER, and the Lam Ching-ying flick, MAGIC COP.

Austin Wai - can be seen in numerous late ‘70s and early ‘80s martial arts flicks, but his most famous appearance is as the owner of the sword factory in Tsui Hark's THE BLADE. He is the brother of Shaw Brothers star Kara Hui, and mostly does TV work these days.

Josephine Siao Fong-fong - one of the Seven Little Princesses (seven female child stars in the ‘60s) Josephine Siao Fong-fong played numerous starring roles throughout her career. She can be seen most recently in Ann Hui's SUMMER SNOW, the critical hit HU-DU-MEN, and playing Jet Li's mother in FONG SAI YUK.