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Shao Cunren

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Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 16 July 20255 sources

Shao Cunren, born Bingzhang, courtesy name Rendì, pseudonym Cunren, was a Hong Kong industrialist and renowned entrepreneur in the film industry. He was a native of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, and the second eldest brother of entertainment mogul Run Run Shaw.[1][2]

Biography

Shao Cunren was born on May 10, 1898, in Laoshao Village (now Shaojia Village), Zhujiaqiao, Zhuangshi Street, Zhenhai County, Ningbo Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, Qing Dynasty (present-day Zhenhai District, Ningbo). His father, Shao Yuxuan, was a prominent dye merchant in Shanghai. As the second son, he studied at a private school in Zhuangshi and later moved with his family to Shanghai, where he was admitted to St. John's University and later studied accounting at Shanghai Lixin School of Accounting (a predecessor of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics).[1]

In 1922, together with his elder brother Shao Zuiweng, he co-founded He Ping Drama Club and set up Xiaowutai Theatre in Shanghai. He worked as an accountant, editor, and stage designer for the family business. In 1925, his brother Shao Zuiweng and other family members founded the famous Tianyi Film Company in Shanghai. Shao Cunren served again as accountant and screenwriter, and was chief planner for the influential early Chinese film *To Become a Buddha on the Spot*.[1]

In 1934, due to political instability in Shanghai, Shao Zuiweng moved to Hong Kong and relocated Tianyi Film Company there, renaming it Tianyi Hong Kong Studio. Shao Cunren remained in Shanghai as the only brother who stayed behind. On August 6, 1936, a fire destroyed the studio in Hong Kong. In 1937, Shao Cunren also moved to Hong Kong to help manage the family business. He renamed the company Nanyang Film Company and hired famed director Hung Chung-ho as the chief director.[1]

With the outbreak of the Pacific War on December 8, 1941, and the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong on December 25, Shao left the city and returned to Shanghai to manage family affairs. The studio was renamed back to Tianyi Film Company.

After Japan’s defeat in 1945, Shao relocated the business to Hong Kong again. In 1952, the company was renamed Shaw & Sons Ltd. With his background in economics and accounting, he also expanded into real estate and import-export trading in Hong Kong.[1]

In 1957, his younger brother Run Run Shaw came to Hong Kong and reclaimed control over Shaw & Sons' production rights. In 1958, Run Run Shaw founded Shaw Brothers Ltd. and began independent film production. Afterwards, Shaw & Sons withdrew from the film business, and Shao Cunren parted ways with his brothers Shao Renmei and Run Run Shaw, operating separately in Hong Kong.[2]

He passed away on September 18, 1973, in Hong Kong, at the age of 75.[2]

Family

Notable family members:

  • Father: Shao Yuxuan – Shanghai dye merchant
  • Eldest brother: Shao Zuiweng – Renowned film producer and entrepreneur
  • Third brother: Shao Renmei – Famous film entrepreneur in Singapore
  • Sixth brother: Run Run Shaw – Prominent Chinese entertainment mogul[3]
  • Wife: Bao Lianfeng
    • Son: Shao Weimei

Notable Works

He produced over 79 films in total.[4]

Selected works as producer include:[5]

  • 1927: Zhu Hongwu
  • 1940: Hong Chengchou
  • 1941: Sorrowful Love of the Phoenix
  • 1941: Beauty Trap
  • 1952: The Phoenix Returns Home
  • 1954: Ghostly Love
  • 1956: Narcissus
  • 1956: When Flowers Fall, You Return
  • 1957: Night-Blooming Jasmine
  • 1957: Moonset, Crows Cry in the Frosty Sky
  • 1957: Springtime in Penglai
  • 1957: Circus Romance
  • 1957: The Dragon and Phoenix Union
  • 1957: Borrowed Identity
  • 1957: Yellow Flower Maiden
  • 1958: Angel
  • 1958: Phoenix Seeks Mate
  • 1958: Family Portrait
  • 1958: Diao Chan
  • 1958: One Night of Passion
  • 1958: Foreign Lovers
  • 1958: Under the Red Lantern
  • 1958: You Are My Soul
  • 1958: Lovers Meet at Dusk
  • 1958: Danfeng Street
  • 1959: Full House of Joy

As screenwriter:[5]

  • 1926: Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Righteousness
  • 1926: Meng Jiangnu

External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 https://web.archive.org/web/20140109022432/http://zs.zhxww.net/rwzs/rwzs/rwzs_sbgl/20080414145054-3.htm
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://ent.ifeng.com/tv/special/shaoyifuqushi/ziliao/detail_2011_05/18/6472802_0.shtml
  3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20140120215912/http://entertainment.dbw.cn/system/2014/01/07/055394746.shtml
  4. ↑ Film Annals of Zhejiang Province / Chapter 8: Figures – Biographies, Compiled by Zhejiang Film Chronicle Committee, Published by China Book Publishing House, ISBN: 7-5068-0574-X, December 1996.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.dianying.com/ft/person/ShaoCunren

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