Shout Factory is quickly becoming my favorite label, as they continue to surprise by dredging up films that I never thought I’d get a chance to see. Consider their upcoming DVD release (April 22nd) of two kung fu films, whose titles mean nothing to me: “Lady Whirlwind” and “Hapkido.” Just two more of hundreds of such films that probably never made it to U.S. shores, I figured.
But further investigation reveals that this disc actually contains two films whose names are quite familiar to me, and which I’ve wanted to see for 40 years. Both films feature petite kung fu legend Angela Mao, and received fairly wide U.S. distribution in 1973.
“Lady Whirlwind” was known as DEEP THRUST when it was released by American International’s Hallmark subsidiary. Chang Yi is the star of this film, with Angela Mao in a supporting role. A young Sammo Hung is also somewhere in the cast, and viewers with keen hearing will recognize melodic cues from John Barry’s score for “Diamonds Are Forever.” And this trailer ends with music from the 1971 Joe Namath western “The Last Rebel.”
“Hapkido” was released in the U.S. in 1973 as LADY KUNG FU by National General Pictures and has Angela Mao in the lead role. Here’s a TV spot for the film:
Both films are in their original 2.35:1 aspect ratios with anamorphic enhancement, and come in both English and subtitled Chinese languages. Finally, I can see these films as they appeared at my local theater so long ago. Thank you, Shout Factory!
