Life And Films Of Yuen Siu Tien (Begger So)

Yuen Siu Tien (1912–1979), also known as Simon Yuen, Sam Seed or “Ol’ Dirty”) was a kung fu movie star ranging from the 1940′s till 1979. He starred in films with actors like Jackie Chan and was also directed by his own son Yuen Woo-ping, and starred in nearly 150 films throughout his career.

Yuen Siu Tien trained in traditional the Peking opera role of Wu-Shen, and when his first acting role came it was in a Wong Fei Hung film to star Kwan Tak Hing, Story of Huang Feihong (1949).

In 1978 Drunken Master proved to be the most successful film to feature Jackie Chan, it shown Wong Fei Hung as a young and mischievous rascal always getting into trouble and drinking which is alot different to the old portrait of Wong Fei Hung played by Kwan Tak Hing. The movie was a surprise international hit, and greatly helped to boost the career of the then 66 year old actor.

He then came back to the role of The Beggar So for three other films, Dance Of The Drunk Mantis, Story Of Drunken Master and a cameo in World Of The Drunken Master. He was supposed to be in the movie The Magnificent Butcher starring Sammo Hung and directed by his son Yuen Woo Ping, but a few weeks into filming he sadly passed away and was replaced by Fan Mei Sheng.

Heres a selection of movies starring the legend that is Yuen Siu Tien:
Drunken Master
Snake In The Eagles Shadow
Sleeping Fist
Little Tiger of Canton
Drunken Fist Boxing
Ol’ Dirty & the B*stard
The Buddhist Fist
Heroes Of The East
Peculiar Boxing Tricks and Master
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

If you have not seen any of these films then please make sure you get yourself a few, sit back and enjoy.

Also Yuen Siu Tien had alot of children and most of them got into the HK movie scene in some way or another, heres a list of them and what they do:

1. Yuen Woo-ping – director and action director
2. Yuen Cheung Yan – actor and action director
3. Yuen Shun Yi aka Sunny Yuen – actor and action director
4. Yuen Yat Chor – actor
5. Yuen Chun Yeung aka Brandy Yuen – actor, stuntman and action director
6. The 6th son, who has worked as an actor in a small number of films is Yuen Lung Chu.
7. In addition, Yuen had two further sons and three daughters.

Also did you know The rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard took his name from one of Yuen Siu Tien’s movies Ol’ Dirty & The Bastard. ODB was a member of the Wu-Tang Clan rap group until his death in 2004. His lyrics were often inspired by 1970s Kung Fu films.

I done this feature of Yuen Siu tien because i dont feel there is alot about him on the internet which is a shame, as he has been in some great movies and also to me the character “Beggar So” was excellently played by him and feel nobody can do it better, I hope you enjoyed this and do get time to watch some of the movies mentioned earlier.
Here is the trailer to Drunken Master.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuen_Siu_Tien