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	''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'' was directed by ] for the ], with ] acting as assistant director.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}} It was based on a screenplay by ].{{sfn\|Xiao\|1998b\|p=305}} Cinematography was handled by Dong Keyi.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}}		''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'' was directed by ] for the ], with ] acting as assistant director.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}} It was based on a screenplay by ].{{sfn\|Xiao\|1998b\|p=305}} Cinematography was handled by Dong Keyi.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}}

	For ''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'', Mingxing sought to use sound technology. Local productions such as ''Wild Flower'' had attempted to use sound to some extent. However, these were only partial sound films. For the film, Mingxing leased a ] sound camera and adopted ] technology. Production, which took place over six months, cost 120,000 ] (equivalent to ¥{{formatnum:{{#expr:({{Inflation\|CN\|120,000\|cursign=¥\|1930\|r=-4}} / 676.199) round -4}}}} in 2019) each.{{sfn\|Zhang\|2004\|p=73}}		For ''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'', Mingxing sought to use sound technology, which had gained popularity through imported works.{{sfn\|Luo\|Ye\|Zhu\|2024\|p=192}} Local productions such as ''Wild Flower'' had attempted to use sound to some extent. However, these were only partial sound films. For the film, Mingxing leased a ] sound camera and adopted ] technology. Production, which took place over six months, cost 120,000 ] (equivalent to ¥{{formatnum:{{#expr:({{Inflation\|CN\|120,000\|cursign=¥\|1930\|r=-4}} / 676.199) round -4}}}} in 2019) each.{{sfn\|Zhang\|2004\|p=73}} The film included four extracts from ], which was popular among contemporary cinema-goers.{{sfn\|Luo\|Ye\|Zhu\|2024\|p=85}}

	The cast included ], Xia Peizhen, Wang Xianzhai, Gong Jianong, Wang Jiting, Tang Jie, Tan Zhiyuan, and Xiao Ying.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}}		The cast of ''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'' included ], Xia Peizhen, Wang Xianzhai, Gong Jianong, Wang Jiting, Tang Jie, Tan Zhiyuan, and Xiao Ying.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}} Hu, who had been one of Mingxing's bankable stars since joining the company in 1928, took the starring role of Red Peony. Having only had experience with ]s, she experienced significant challenges making a sound film.{{sfn\|Luo\|Ye\|Zhu\|2024\|p=106}}

	==Release and reception==		==Release and reception==
	Making its debut at the Strand Theatre on 15 March 1931,{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}} ''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'' was well-received by audiences.{{sfn\|Zhang\|2004\|p=73}} The film was later distributed to the ] and the Philippines, with prints sold for 16,000 to 18,000 yuan (¥{{formatnum:{{#expr:({{Inflation\|CN\|16000\|cursign=¥\|1930\|r=-4}} / 676.199) round -4}}}} to ¥{{formatnum:{{#expr:({{Inflation\|CN\|18000\|cursign=¥\|1930\|r=-4}} / 676.199) round -4}}}} in 2019).{{sfn\|Zhang\|2004\|p=46}}		Making its debut at the Strand Theatre on 15 March 1931,{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=290}} ''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'' was well-received by audiences.{{sfn\|Zhang\|2004\|p=73}} The film was later distributed to the ] and the Philippines, with prints sold for 16,000 to 18,000 yuan (¥{{formatnum:{{#expr:({{Inflation\|CN\|16000\|cursign=¥\|1930\|r=-4}} / 676.199) round -4}}}} to ¥{{formatnum:{{#expr:({{Inflation\|CN\|18000\|cursign=¥\|1930\|r=-4}} / 676.199) round -4}}}} in 2019).{{sfn\|Zhang\|2004\|p=46}}

	''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'' is considered the first ] to have been produced in the Republic of China. Its dialogue and songs were recorded to a ], which was played together with the film during showings; many contemporary Chinese cinemas lacked the technology to properly screen films with integrated sound. It was followed on 24 May 1931 by the Youlian Film Company's ''Yu the Beauty''. In subsequent years, silent and sound films continued to be produced simultaneously.{{sfn\|Xiao\|1998a\|p=17}} Mingxing would only release its final ], ''Season of Falling Flowers'', in 1935.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=296}}		''Sing-Song Girl Red Peony'' is considered the first ] to have been produced in the Republic of China.<ref>{{harvnb\|Luo\|Ye\|Zhu\|2024\|p=46}}; {{harvnb\|Zhu\|2022\|p=41}}</ref> Its dialogue and songs were recorded to a ], which was played together with the film during showings; many contemporary Chinese cinemas lacked the technology to properly screen films with integrated sound. It was followed on 24 May 1931 by the Youlian Film Company's ''Yu the Beauty''. In subsequent years, silent and sound films continued to be produced simultaneously.{{sfn\|Xiao\|1998a\|p=17}} Mingxing would only release its final ], ''Season of Falling Flowers'', in 1935.{{sfn\|Huang\|2014\|p=296}}

	==References==		==References==
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	\|year=2014		\|year=2014
	\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UW8woAEACAAJ		\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UW8woAEACAAJ
			}}
			*{{cite book
			\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XekHEQAAQBAJ
			\| title=Historical Dictionary of Chinese Cinema
			\| isbn=978-1-5381-5730-5
			\| last1=Luo
			\| first1=Dan
			\| last2=Ye
			\| first2=Tan
			\| last3=Zhu
			\| first3=Yun
			\| date=2024
			\| publisher=Rowman & Littlefield
			\| location=Lanham, Maryland
	}}		}}
	*{{cite book		*{{cite book
Line 102:		Line 116:
	\| publisher=Psychology Press		\| publisher=Psychology Press
	\|location=London		\|location=London
			}}
			*{{cite book
			\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q5s5EAAAQBAJ
			\| title=Hollywood in China: Behind the Scenes of the World's Largest Movie Market
			\| isbn=978-1-62097-219-9
			\| last1=Zhu
			\| first1=Ying
			\| date=2022
			\| publisher=The New Press
			\| location=New York
	}}		}}
	{{refend}}		{{refend}}

Revision as of 22:01, 28 November 2024

1931 Chinese film

Sing-Song Girl Red Peony

Newspaper advertisement

Traditional Chinese

歌女紅牡丹

Simplified Chinese

歌女红牡丹

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Gēnǚ gōng mǔdān

Directed by

Zhang Shichuan

Screenplay by

Hong Shen

Starring

Hu Die

Production
company

Mingxing Film Company

Release date

15 March 1931 (1931-03-15)

Country

China

Sing-Song Girl Red Peony (simplified Chinese: 歌女红牡丹; traditional Chinese: 歌女紅牡丹; pinyin: Gēnǚ gōng mǔdān)

Plot

The prominent actress Red Peony lives with her abusive husband, supporting his expensive habits through her career. Forced by customary mores to remain in this unhappy relationship, she grows depressed and damages her voice. As her career suffers, her husband continues his spending habits, leading him to sell their daughter to a brothel when he runs out of money. Her freedom is purchased by one of Red Peony's suitors. The husband is soon arrested for involuntary manslaughter. Despite their history, Red Peony forgives him and campaigns for an early release. The husband, touched, begins to strive to become a better man.

Production

Sing-Song Girl Red Peony was directed by Zhang Shichuan for the Mingxing Film Company, with Cheng Bugao acting as assistant director. It was based on a screenplay by Hong Shen. Cinematography was handled by Dong Keyi.

For Sing-Song Girl Red Peony, Mingxing sought to use sound technology, which had gained popularity through imported works. Local productions such as Wild Flower had attempted to use sound to some extent. However, these were only partial sound films. For the film, Mingxing leased a Pathé sound camera and adopted sound-on-disc technology. Production, which took place over six months, cost 120,000 yuan (equivalent to ¥10,680,000 in 2019) each. The film included four extracts from Peking opera, which was popular among contemporary cinema-goers.

The cast of Sing-Song Girl Red Peony included Hu Die, Xia Peizhen, Wang Xianzhai, Gong Jianong, Wang Jiting, Tang Jie, Tan Zhiyuan, and Xiao Ying. Hu, who had been one of Mingxing's bankable stars since joining the company in 1928, took the starring role of Red Peony. Having only had experience with silent films, she experienced significant challenges making a sound film.

Release and reception

Making its debut at the Strand Theatre on 15 March 1931, Sing-Song Girl Red Peony was well-received by audiences. The film was later distributed to the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines, with prints sold for 16,000 to 18,000 yuan (¥1,420,000 to ¥1,600,000 in 2019).

Sing-Song Girl Red Peony is considered the first sound film to have been produced in the Republic of China. Its dialogue and songs were recorded to a phonograph, which was played together with the film during showings; many contemporary Chinese cinemas lacked the technology to properly screen films with integrated sound. It was followed on 24 May 1931 by the Youlian Film Company's Yu the Beauty. In subsequent years, silent and sound films continued to be produced simultaneously. Mingxing would only release its final silent film, Season of Falling Flowers, in 1935.

References

based on the summary by Xiao (1998b)
^ Huang 2014, p. 290.
Xiao 1998b, p. 305.
Luo, Ye & Zhu 2024, p. 192.
^ Zhang 2004, p. 73.
Luo, Ye & Zhu 2024, p. 85.
Luo, Ye & Zhu 2024, p. 106.
Zhang 2004, p. 46.
Luo, Ye & Zhu 2024, p. 46; Zhu 2022, p. 41
Xiao 1998a, p. 17.
Huang 2014, p. 296.

Works cited

Huang, Xuelei (2014). Shanghai Filmmaking: Crossing Borders, Connecting to the Globe, 1922–1938. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-27933-9.
Luo, Dan; Ye, Tan; Zhu, Yun (2024). Historical Dictionary of Chinese Cinema. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-5381-5730-5.
Xiao, Zhiwei (1998). "Chinese Cinema". In Zhang, Yingjin; Xiao, Zhiwei (eds.). Encyclopedia of Chinese Film. New York, London: Routledge. pp. 3–30. ISBN 978-0-415-15168-9.
Xiao, Zhiwei (1998). "Sing-Song Girl Red Peony". In Zhang, Yingjin; Xiao, Zhiwei (eds.). Encyclopedia of Chinese Film. New York, London: Routledge. pp. 305–306. ISBN 978-0-415-15168-9.
Zhang, Yingjin (2004). Chinese National Cinema. London: Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-17289-9.
Zhu, Ying (2022). Hollywood in China: Behind the Scenes of the World's Largest Movie Market. New York: The New Press. ISBN 978-1-62097-219-9.

External links

Sing-Song Girl Red Peony at IMDb

v t e Films directed by Zhang Shichuan
The Difficult Couple (1913) The King of Comedy Visits Shanghai (1922) Laborer's Love (1922) Zhang Xinsheng (1923) Orphan Rescues Grandfather (1923) Lonely Orchid (1926) The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple (1928-31) (18 parts) Sing-Song Girl Red Peony (1931) Fate in Tears and Laughter (1932)

v t e Mingxing Film Company
Founders	Ren Jinping Zhang Shichuan Zheng Zhegu Zheng Zhengqiu Zhou Jianyun
Directors	Bu Wancang Cheng Bugao Hong Shen Li Pingqian Ouyang Yuqian Shen Xiling Xu Xinfu Ying Yunwei Yuan Muzhi Zhang Shichuan Zheng Zhengqiu
Writers	Bao Tianxiao Hong Shen Xia Yan Qian Xingcun Zheng Zhengqiu
Actors	Ai Xia Hu Die Ruan Lingyu Wang Hanlun Xuan Jinglin Yan Yuexian Yang Naimei Zhao Dan Zhang Zhiyun Zheng Zhegu Zhou Xuan
Films	The King of Comedy Visits Shanghai (1922) Labourer's Love (1922) Zhang Xinsheng (1923) Orphan Rescues Grandfather (1923) Lonely Orchid (1926) The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple (1928) An Amorous History of the Silver Screen (1931) Sing-Song Girl Red Peony (1931) Fate in Tears and Laughter (1932) Spring Silkworms (1933) The Classic for Girls (1934) Twin Sisters (1934) Crossroads (1937) Street Angel (1937) (all films)

Category:

1931 films