Ricky Hui Obituary

It is truly sad to hear of the death of Ricky Hui Koon-Ying (許冠英) at the age of 65. Many Hong Kong newspapers and Asian media outlets will undoubtedly give a full obituary and biography to this cinematic great, but I thought it would be good to just remember some of those great Hui moments.

Although Samuel got the girls and pioneered Cantopop while Michael will always be appreciated as one of the great comic minds of the 20th century, it sometimes seems that Ricky is pushed to the back by modern commentators. However, although only appearing in minor cameo appearances in recent years (a memorable one in ‘Super Model’) he should always be remembered as one of the great comic actors of Hong Kong cinema. Anyone who fell in love with Hong Kong cinema in the late 70s and 80s will know this instinctively; as soon as Hui’s old-beyond-it’s years, weather-beaten visage appeared on the screen with dead-pan, hangdog expression etched on it, even the most mundane of films was enlivened.

Chicken and Duck Talk (1988)

Initially not a big presence in early Hui Brothers comedies (due to his contract with Shaw Brothers – you can see him lurking in the background in ‘Challenge Of The Masters’ and ‘Iron Bodyguard’ and many others) Ricky still managed a cameo in ‘The Last Message’ (the best joke in the film is in his three minute scene). A slightly longer cameo in box-office smash ‘Games Gamblers Play’ followed and, with his Shaw Brothers’ contract reaching its end, was ready to complete the greatest triumvirate in Asian comedy cinema.

The seminal ‘The Private Eyes’ – finished right at the close of said contract – is an early highlight in the Ricky Hui canon. Sporting a neck-brace for much of the story, Ricky is the bumbling, stuttering assistant to Michael’s private detective and plays each scene with such skill he ends up stealing most of them. Following this he was the nutty inventor in the vastly underrated Hui Brothers’ satire ‘The Contract’ and then came lead roles in some of the early John Woo comedies including ‘From Riches To Rags’.

Mr. Vampire (1985)

The next Hui Brothers’ smash hit gave Ricky his biggest role yet and even a love interest! ‘Security Unlimited’, released in 1981, is another comedy classic and another great scene-stealing appearance for Ricky. He was, of course, the dopey stooge as always, but brought such innocent charm to the role that even essentially the same role is refreshing in each new film. In ‘Security Unlimited’ there is the great scene where Ricky tries to trick his way into the Police force and the adorable moment when he is trying to surreptitiously feed an illegal immigrant under the table while a gluttonous Michael tries to figure out what is happening. It’s excellent, transcendent comedy that works beyond language barriers and cultural differences.

The 80s was full of chances to see Ricky’s comic abilities shine. Michael Hui’s ‘Chocolate Inspector’, ‘Chicken and Duck Talk’ and early Jeff Lau hit ‘Haunted Cop Shop’ were full of fine Ricky moments, that ageing face only adding to the hilarity of his nervy, unlikely hero. Nevertheless, if there was one film that I will always remember Hui for – indeed one of my first Hong Kong films and still one of the most utterly brilliant – it is 1985’s ‘Mr. Vampire’.

Security Unlimited (1981)

Ricky had a sizeable role in ‘Mr. Vampire’, playing one of Lam Ching-Ying’s inept students and it remains a fine testament to his comic timing and wonderful delivery of material. Although his character gets battered, bruised and temporarily turned into a vampire, that resolute hangdog face beams through – one of the most infectiously amusing sights in modern cinema. If you are new to Asian cinema and have yet to see ‘Mr. Vampire’, allow this sad news to inspire you to track it down.

Ricky Hui will be remembered fondly as part of the legendary Hui Brothers, but also as a superb comedic actor in his own right. His crumpled face diffidently peering into the camera will be sorely missed yet his place in Hong Kong cinematic history remains assured.