Bu Wancang (July 1, 1900 – December 30, 1973), also known by his English name Richard Poh, was a prolific Chinese film director and screenwriter active between the 1920s and the 1960s. He was born in Anhui.

Bu Wancang
Bu Wancang in 1937
Born(1900-07-01)1 July 1900
Died30 December 1973(1973-12-30) (aged 73)
Other namesRichard Poh
Occupation(s)Film director, screen writer
Years active1920s-1960s
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese卜萬蒼
Simplified Chinese卜万苍
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinBǔ Wàncāng

Career

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Originally a member of the Shanghai cinema scene, Bu worked for several studios before becoming a major director for the Mingxing Film Company. By 1931, Bu moved to Mingxing's rival, Lianhua, where he directed such films as Love and Duty (1931) and The Peach Girl (1931) (both with actress Ruan Lingyu).

As the war with Japan intensified Bu made several films with subtle patriotic themes, most notably 1939's Mulan Joins the Army. Once Japanese control over Shanghai was complete, however, Bu was eventually forced to make several propaganda films for the occupiers, notably Eternity in 1943. After the war, he was ostracized by his colleagues for these films, causing him to move to Hong Kong in 1948 where he continued to make films until his retirement.

Filmography

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As cinematographer

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Year English title Chinese title Director Notes
1921 The Fathead 飯桶 Lu Shoulian Lost
Four Heroes Village 四傑村 Lu Shoulian Lost
1924 A Poor Heart 人心
  • Gu Kenfu
  • Chen Shouyin
Lost
1925 Couple Suspects 新人的家庭 Ren Jinping Lost
Who's His Mother? 誰是母親 Gu Wuwei Lost
1926 Hell and Heaven 地獄天堂 Gu Wuwei Lost

As director

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Year English title Chinese title Notes
1926 Fiancée 未婚妻 Lost, also writer
Resurrection 良心復活 Lost
Why Not Her 玉潔冰清 Lost
1927 A Married Couple in Name Only 掛名的夫妻 Lost
Dream by the Lake 湖邊春夢 Lost
1928 Ashes of the Lotus 美人關 Lost
A Little Detective 小偵探 Lost
1929 Midget In-Laws 矮親家 Lost
Two Midgets 兩矮爭風 Lost
Revenge of an Actress 女伶復仇記 Lost
Done with One Heart 同心劫 Lost, also actor
1930 Two Heroes 父子英雄 Lost
The Sorrows of a Songstress 歌女恨 Lost
Love and Hatred 海天情仇 Lost
1931 Love and Duty 戀愛與義務
A Spray of Plum Blossoms 一剪梅
The Peach Girl 桃花泣血記 Also writer
1932 Conscienceless 人道 Lost
Another Dream of the Ancient Capital 續故都春夢 Lost
1933 Three Modern Women 三個摩登女性 Lost
The Light of Maternal Instinct 母性之光 Also writer
1934 The Golden Times 黃金時代
1935 Victory Song 凱歌
1937 A New-Comer's Way 新人道
1938 A Beggar Girl 乞丐千金 Also writer
Diao Chan 貂蟬 Also writer
Blood and Tears of Love 情天血淚 Also writer
1939 Mulan Joins the Army 木蘭從軍
1940 Xi Shi 西施
Jade Hairpin 碧玉簪 Also writer
Su Wu Herds Sheep 蘇武牧羊
Qin Liangyu 秦良玉
Autumn Rain of Xiaoxiang 瀟湘秋雨 Co-director
1941 Xiangsi Fortress 相思寨
Wild Rose 野薔薇
The Family Co-director
1942 Compassion 博愛 Co-director
Standard Lady 标准夫人
Seeing the Light Again 重見光明
Under the Peonies Flowers 牡丹花下 Also writer
1943 Two Generations of Women 兩代女性
Eternity 萬事流芳 Co-director
Daughter of the Fisherman 漁家女 Also writer
1944 Homeward Bound 歸去來兮 Also writer
Dream of the Red Chamber 紅樓夢 Also writer
1945 Flowers of the Land 大地之花 Also writer
New Year Day 萬戶更新 Co-director
1948 The Soul of China 國魂
1949 The Sins of Our Fathers 大涼山恩仇記
1951 The Affairs of Diana 女人與老虎
1952 Destroy! 毀滅
Portrait of a Lady 淑女圖 Also writer
A Woman's Heart 婦人心 Also writer
Sweet Memories 滿園春色 Co-director
1953 My Life 化身艷影 Also writer
The Seven Maidens 七姊妹 Also writer
The Song of Spring 戀春曲
1954 The 72 Martyrs of Canton 碧血黃花 Co-director
It Blossoms Again 再春花 Co-director and co-writer
1956 The Fisherman's Daughter 漁歌 Also writer
Three Winning Smiles 唐伯虎與秋香 Co-director and co-writer
The Long Lane 長巷
1957 The Three Sisters 三姊妹
Miss Evening Sweet 夜來香
1958 An Unforgettable Night 一夜風流
The Shoeshine Boy 擦鞋童
1959 Stolen Love 偷情記
Bean Curd Queen 豆腐西施
1960 Eve of the Wedding 待嫁春心 Also writer
Nobody's Child 苦兒流浪記
My Daughter, My Daughter 兩代女性 Also writer
The Bedside Story 同床異夢
Dreams Come True 喜相逢
Swindler's Delight 紅男綠女
Kiss Me Again 第二吻
1961 The Lost Love 盲目的愛情
1962 No Greater Love 吳鳳
1963 Lady General Red Jade 梁紅玉
Lady of Lute 趙五娘
1968 Lilac 紫丁香
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