 Raised in Hebei Province, China, Bai Guang was
born Shi Yong Fen (1921 - August 7, 1999). She came from Mongolian stock and
changed her name to Bai Guang when she became a performer during the most
turbulent period of China's history. Her achievements since then constitute a
glorious page in the history of Chinese cinema - a glory that continues to shine
even today.
Many people mistakenly believe that Bai Guang began her performing life during
the war. In fact, she appeared in a movie called "The Road to Peace in East
Asia" produced by Kawakita Nagamasa in the year of the "Marco Polo Bridge
Incident" on July 7, 1937. After this, she studied actors training course at the
Tokyo Woman's Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. With the outbreak of the
Pacific War, Bai Guang went to Shanghai in 1943 and there established her
illustrious career.
In 1949 Bai came to Hong Kong and played in "An Unfaithful Woman",
"Blood-stained Begonia", "A Strange Woman" and so on. She was also director cum
actor for the film "Fresh Peony". Bai's specialty was interpreting femme fatale
roles and was known as "The Bewitching Beauty of All Ages".
Bai Guang has made only about 30 films and recorded not more than 80 songs. She
was far from being a prolific artist, but her fame has carried her through the
ages and has transcended boundaries. She also had a nonchalant yet sexy voice
which was immortalized in movie theme songs and popular songs, like "Pretending
to be Good", "Sigh Ten Times", "A Patch of Green on the East Mountain", "Waiting
For You", "If You were Not Here" and some others. Her voice has been likened to
the poppy flower, with addictive properties that ensnare the listener for life.
As for her talents as a movie star, Bai Guang was admired by legions of fans but
she also won admiration from her peers. Her performance in the film "Back from
the Brink" was said to have floored the greatest star of her generation, the
singer Jing Ting. There was indeed no one quite like Bai Guang.
In 1953, Bai Guang was in Japan where she appeared in the film "Love of the
Lantern" and sang the title theme song with lyrics written by the famous
Japanese lyricist Saijou Hachigu. The song is now considered a rare and
priceless collector's item. Returning to Hong Kong in 1955, Bai Guang made three
more films and recorded several more songs before she disappeared from public
view.
In 1959, Bai retired from the film industry and moved to Malaysia. She became a
recluse, which increased her mystique among her fans. She kept herself from
public view after 14 years when she re-appeared once more on stage to preside
over an award-giving presentation. Although she looked fine, this re-appearance
seemed to be her attempt to bid adieu to her legions of fans. Her exit from that
stage was also her way of saying goodbye for the last time.
Bai Guang died of colon cancer on August 27, 1999 at the age of 78.
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