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The Human Goddess
Hong Kong 1972
produced by Shaw Brothers
directed by Ho Meng-hua
starring Li Ching, Chin Feng, Peng Peng, Shih Tien (= Dean Shek), Pai Lu, Chiao Hsiung, Fu Yen, JHo Li Jen, Ho Pin, Hsia Hui, Kuo Wei, Lan Wai Lieh, Li Peng-fei, Lo Hua, Lui Hung, Mei Yung, Sun Lan, Tan Ying, Wong Ching Wan, Wu Wei
written by Ho Meng-hua, music by Chen Yung-Au, Hsu Yi
review by Mike Haberfelner
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Seventh Sister (Li Ching) from heaven decides to take a trip down to
earth, to hong Kong to be exact, which looks to her like the promised land
- seen from above. On earth, she quickly falls in love with Zili (Chin
Feng), the reincarnated version of her lover Dong Yong, but he mistakes
her for a prostitute when she tells him she's from the heavenly palace -
incidently also the name of a brothel very near of where he meets her
first. Zili is in trouble however, because the orphanage he runs has
just been sold to Xu Caifa, a very mean rich man lording over the region,
and Zili hasn't even got the money to buy the orphans food, much less
preventing Xu Caifa from throwing them out. Whether Zili wants it or not
though, Seventh Sister is determined to help Zili keep his orphanage,
teaching the kids how to work for a living, and charming Xu Caifa the best
she can - and the rich man soon falls for her. So does Zili by the way,
and soon he and Seventh Sister become a couple - but when she pays a visit
to Xu Caifa to try and save the orphanage (and creates havok in the
process), Zili comes up with all the wrong conclusions, thinks she's just
a whore who can't mend her ways and throws her out - and only on the
insistence of the orphans, he ultimately gets her back. Meanwhile though,
the six sisters of Seventh Sister have come to earth to to get her back -
but she persuades them to help her stage abig charity event to make enough
money to buy the orphanage back from Xu Caifa. The event becomes a raving
success, and the money they think they need to buy out Xu Caifa is made
easily - but by now the price has risen, and it seems all the work has
been for nothing - until Seventh Sister comes up with the idea to bet
against Xu Caifa's horse in a rigged horse race ... and she uses her
magical powers to re-rig the race so Xu Caifa's horse doesn't come in at
all. The orphanage now belongs to Zili and his orphans again, but Xu
Caifa isn't one to easily give up, so he shows up at the place with a
bunch of henchmen to reclaim what he considers his property - but thanks
to the orphans and the magic of the seventh sisters, Xu Caifa and his
goons are chased away for good ... Totally pointless but
nevertheless amusing Hong Kong comedy/musical somehow related to TV's I
Dream of Jeannie (just like Jeannie, Seventh Sister is a girl with
vast magical powers and a big heart, but a lack judgement how to use her
powers properlyto make good - until the end that is). You might not even
want to consider watching this if you're not into light comedies/musicals,
but if you do occasionally find cheesy stories in colourful sets good fun,
you'll probably be entertained, because this is exactly what you are going
to get.
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