Activities celebrating the Golden Horse Award began as early as early October this year. The response to the Taipei International Film Exhibition had been enthusiastic, as crowds lined up to buy series tickets, with some sleeping overnight on the street to make sure they would not be left empty handed. Television shows introducing this year's nominees received high ratings, and a magazine which took a readers' poll on the films was swamped with postcards. For the emcees, authorities decided on a beauty-and-the-beast combination, selecting Hu Yin-meng and Sun Yueh. They went to Kaohsiung on October 31st, to learn their lines and begin rehearsing.

This year both "gold" and "horses" were awarded. Winners also collected sums of NT$100,000 (US$2,500), while the best picture award carried a prize of NT$1 million (US$25,000), prompting one star to quip that triumph in that category would eliminate the need for him to borrow money to celebrate.

The float parade drew a crowd estimated to be at least 50,000 people. Whistles and claps of approval greeted Yang Hui-shan, her figure trim after gaining and then losing 17.5 kgs for her last role. Lin Ch'ing-hsia and Chin Han appeared as lovers for the first time in public, which seemed to satisfy the curiosity of the fans. The occasion also helped produce a mammoth traffic jam, the proportions of which are rarely seen in Kaohsiung.

Finally, on November 2nd at the Kaohsiung City Cultural Center, the famous gathered for the awards ceremonies. With over two thousand in the hall, not a spare seat was to be had, and scalpers were asking for NT$5000 (US$125) a ticket.

Best Supporting Actor and Actress Awards were announced first, with the latter being won by T'ang Ju-yun for her performance as an old grandmother in "The Time To Live And The Time To Die." A poised, attractive woman, T'ang looked far younger than the sweet, naive 80-year-old woman she portrayed on the screen, and many found it difficult to believe they were the same person. She has been in the movies and on television for several years, but only with "A Time" did she step into the limelight.

Ch'en Po-cheng won Best Supporting Actor Award for "Super Citizen," in which he played a dealer in counterfeit goods. Ch'en gave effusive thanks to Hou Hsiao-hsien (see September issue of Sinorama) for Hou's training and letting him make something of himself.

On the more technical end, the Best Cinematography Award went to Ch'en K'un-hou, surprising almost no one. Ch'en had won Golden Horses in previous years for his efforts as cinematographer and director. This year he spent his own funds for new foreign equipment and captured the award for his treatment of "The Wedding." In his acceptance speech, Ch'en thanked his mother for praying for him and made a plea that the import tax on movie equipment be lowered, saying that without proper weapons, makers could not hope to win the war.

Husband and wife Chang Yi and Hsiao Sa won for Best Adapted Screenplay, taking a short story of the latter and producing the screenplay for "Kuei Mei, A Woman." Hsiao rarely appears at public functions and had her wardrobe selected by Chang, which met with approval from all quarters.

After hearing his name being read for Best Actor Award, Chou Jun-fa mounted the stage all smiles and thanked the judges in Chinese, Japanese, English, and Spanish. A rising star in the Hong Kong movie world, Ch'en in "Hong Kong 1941" had played a youth trying to stowaway to the U.S., only to land in the middle of political intrigue and a love triangle.

Becoming the first to win Golden Horse Awards in consecutive years, Yang Hui-shan captured Best Actress Award for her performance in the title role of "Kuei Mei, A Woman." The role required her to be quite plump for some scenes, and her success in gaining and losing weight was the talk of Kaohsiung. While shooting, Yang simply ate a meal every half hour until she reached the proper roundness. Now she has regained her former attractiveness, but Yang expressed hope that people would notice other things about her besides her figure. In truth, there was plenty of appreciation for her acting.

Among the last awards to be announced were those for best director and best picture, which both ended up in the hands of Chang Yi for "Kuei Mei, A Woman," giving the film four Golden Horses in all. Critics generally approved of such treatment, but Chang himself was the picture of modesty. He said he felt regret that the last fifth of the movie was not handled better and paid tribute to Hou Hsiao-hsien and Ch'en K'un-hou.

Other events included a singing performance by Ling Feng, who then asked emcee Hu Yin-meng to find him a dance partner. Hu immediately chose Kaohsiung Mayor Su Nan-ch'eng, who opted that moment to make a quick and unexpected exit.

Despite the incident, the 22nd Annual Golden Horse Award ended on a relaxed and carefree note. For the hard-working, talented people in the film industry, it was a night of celebration and affirmation.

[Picture Caption]

A float parade of the stars was one of the many activities at this year' s Golden Horse Award ceremonies. Above Yang Hui-shan and Shih Chun wave to the crowds in Kaohsiung. (photo by Yang Yung-shan )

Yang Hui-shan with American star Chuck Connors and his son.

Pai Kuang and Lu Hsiao-fen gave out awards and dazzled the audience.

Yang Hui-shan with American star Chuck Connors and his son.

Pai Kuang and Lu Hsiao-fen gave out awards and dazzled the audience.