Cinderella and Her Little Angels (1959)

I'm always a sucker for song as a storytelling device, and Cinderella and Her Little Angels never fails deliver right from its extravagant opening scene. Leading man Lin Fu (Chen Ho) is introduced as he wakes up in his bedroom above the Johnson Best Tailor shop he works at. Falling down the stairs and busying himself tidying the storefront display, two little mannequins come to life and sing his story. He's virtuous, they sing -- Lin never gambles nor visits brothels and, timid as a mouse, he's full of yearning for love yet can only bring himself to kiss a mannequin.

Credits pass by (as pictures pinned to fabric) and we find out why when a co-worker asks: "Isn't it peculiar that Lin is kissing the mannequin a lot recently?" It's not strange at all, replies another -- the display piece is a dead ringer for Dan Yee (Lin Dai), a young lady at a tumbledown orphanage Lin visits. He's smitten with the girl, and lucky for Lin, she has eyes for him back. Whenever she thinks of him, she sings later, she can't stop thinking of him. And like the mannequin kids earlier, she too thinks he's a virtuous fellow.

Lin's lust builds to heightened fantasy back at the store but soon chance comes calling. Lin's boss Mr Chow decides to put on a fashion show and he needs a model. The lady must be single, 18 to 25 years old, of pleasant appearance and have a good figure, the newspaper advert says. A horde of girls try out but it's Dan Yee who lands the plum role when she walks into the shop on deliveries.

The Johnson folks decide to make the event a charity gig, with Dan Yee's fee going to repair the crumbling orphanage. But modeling's an unheard of concept in 1959 Hong Kong. Though Lin tips it'll become trendy in the territory, orphanage director Ms Hung isn't allowing her girl to take part. Knowing the event will help fix her home, Dan Yee's keen and secretly slips out at night to lead the fashion showcase.

The show's a sellout hit, says the press, thanks to the "lovely young lady". Hot on the heels of success, another fashion show is arranged; a wedding dress showcase to raise money for poor children. It's close Dan Yee's heart and she vows to be back but Director Hung, angry over a swimsuit picture in the newspaper, has her grounded. Can the show go on? And can Lin Fu leave his fantasies behind for a relationship with Dan Yee?

The musical's highlights are doubtless the fashion parades. The first Asian Voyage Fashion Show sees Lin Dai put through plentiful outfit changes as the charges through themed stage skits featuring costume from around the world. Intro cards herald the locations and song lyrics give running commentary. "Revealing the body is of prime importance", chirp the singers as she dons a slinky western outfit, and a cowgirl getup is "like in the western movies". When she appears in a shapeless item the song gloats: "The linen dress feels like a bag of rice. But they say it's made in Paris". Other catchy items include a sarong ("It's just like a big bed sheet, wrapping around the body"), skiing and roller-skating gear and ultimately a swimsuit, displaying glamour for an increasingly internationally traveled and fashion conscious Hong Kong public.

Lin Dai is every bit the star in the Tang Huang-directed movie. Wide-eyed and with a constant beaming smile, the actress brings an exciting presence to the film alongside her cheery co-star. Filmmaking technique excels beyond the musical arrangements, including a terrific fantasy sequence set to a starry black backdrop. Farcical situation comedy is lively and well-handled throughout and the select location shooting is a treat, especially with the onlooker crowds gathered across the road from the tailor shop. Come a closing scene set to triumphant marching music, there's love all round. Cinderella and Her Little Angels may be a black and white picture, but with such extravagance and spirited entertainment on offer, who needs colour anyway?

Note: The Motion Picture & General Investment (MP&GI, Cathay) production screened at the Hong Kong Film Archive.

Credits:
Directed by Tong Huang
Starring Linda Lin Dai and Peter Chen Ho

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