Why is the story of the movie "The Wanderings of San Mao" said to originate from a human tragedy and end with a celebrity feast?

Why is the famous female writer Chen Maoping called San Mao? There have been many versions of the explanation for this, one of which is that she liked to read the works of cartoonist Zhang Leping since she was a child. Later, she visited Zhang Leping in his later years and considered him as her adoptive father.

The work that influenced Chen Maoping was "The Wanderings of Sanmao" that influenced several generations of our country.

We are familiar with Sanmao basically from the movie "The Wanderings of Sanmao". This movie, shot on the eve of liberation, has left many magical stories in the Chinese film industry.

This article will review this famous movie, which is only about an hour long.

1. The background of the comic creation of "The Wandering Story of Sanmao", a scene of human tragedy

"The Wandering Story of Sanmao" was filmed in the spring of 1949, but the comics about "Sanmao" date back to It has been around since 1935. In the works of cartoonist Zhang Leping, Sanmao was initially a kind, funny, and ordinary citizen child with many crooked ideas. He was quirky and eager to help others but often made jokes.

After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Zhang Leping asked San Mao to "join the army". After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, he created the satirical cartoon "San Mao Joins the Army".

In early 1947, it was a cold winter in Shanghai. On his way home, Zhang Leping saw three ragged street children gathered around a roasted sweet potato stove that had put out the fire to keep warm. They put their hands into the still warm stove.

The next morning, Zhang Leping passed by there again and found that two of the three street children last night had frozen to death. He drove along the street to collect the "lying" people like a piece of wood and collected the children's The body was thrown into the carriage and taken away.

At that time, there were many such street children on the streets of Shanghai. On weekdays, they begged, picked up cigarette butts, sold newspapers, and pushed carts to earn change and food to survive. In order to survive, they were bullied by various forces. , and when winter came, children froze to death almost every day. Zhang Leping felt this human tragedy and began to create a satirical cartoon "San Mao Wandering" that reflected the lives of street children in Shanghai.

In June 1947, "Sanmao Wandering" began to be serialized in Ta Kung Pao, and became a hot comic that attracted the attention of all Shanghai at that time.

2. The background of the filming of "The Wanderings of Sanmao" and the struggles of a group of rookies

In the autumn of 1948, an independent producer named Webb was determined to make "Sanmao" "Wandering" was put on the screen. With the help of his cousin Shangguan Yunzhu (nee Wei) and others, who was also a famous movie star, he raised his own funds to buy the copyright, and then began to form a filming team.

You may not know Webb, but you may know that he has a son. He is a famous director of Bayi Film Studio and has directed "Acacia in the Minefield", "Armageddon", "The Big Turn", etc. Willem of the movie.

Interestingly, Wei Lian also made a cameo appearance in "San Mao's Wanderings" as this melancholy-looking little boy. At this time, he was sitting on the rickshaw that San Mao was pushing hard.

Although Webb was very determined, he was still a novice after all. A friend recommended him to the famous writer Yang Hansheng. Bu recommended two novice directors Zhao Ming and Yan Gong.

Later, feeling that the film was difficult to shoot and the authorities were very unsupportive. Webb even received threatening letters and bullets, Yang Hansheng suggested that the film be transferred to Kunlun Film Company, which he established. In charge, Webb and the director still hold specific jobs.

Kunlun Pictures is a film company with an underground party background that contributed to the Hunan Uprising. They hid a radio station in a camera box and brought it to Chen Mingren’s home. The company has made a series of progressive films , such as "The Crow and the Sparrow" and so on.

After Kunlun Pictures took over, Webb, Zhao Ming and Yan Gong still performed their duties. In addition, Zhang Leping, who joined the crew, also participated in the filming of a movie for the first time. In this way, a bunch of newbies took on the role. The filming of "San Mao Wandering" has officially started.

3. Old actor, Xiao Sanmao

The core character of "Sanmao's Wanderings" is Sanmao. Finding an actor to play Sanmao is the most important thing. In order to find "Sanmao" "Mao", the filming of the film was postponed for two months. Although many wealthy people use various channels to recommend their children to film companies, it is impossible for these young masters from well-off families to get into the eyes of the film crew.

Until one day, director Yan Gong saw several children playing pinball at the entrance of the film company. The smallest one won, but the taller child was cheating. The smaller one went up and beat the bigger one. He fell down and started fighting. His stubborn character was noticed by Yan Gong. Coupled with his age of seven or eight, his big head, weak body, small neck and other characteristics, he looked like a three-haired man.

This child is Wang Longji. He is the son of Wang Yunjie, the film’s musician. Wang Longji himself is a fan of Sanmao and wanted to apply for the role, but his father was worried that he could not handle the role of Sanmao and stopped him. , until he met the director.

In fact, although Wang Longji’s family situation was not bad at this time, his life was also very difficult before he was five years old. His parents prepared to give him away twice in order to prevent him from starving to death. In Wang Longji’s words, he What was better than Sanmao back then was that he still had parents.

The most important thing is that although Wang Longji is only eight years old, he is already an old actor. Because of his father's relationship, he has played small supporting roles in several movies before, and he has no experience in making movies. It’s not unfamiliar and has a great lens feel.

Even so, the director and Zhang Leping still strengthened their guidance to Wang Longji. They ate and slept with him, and often took him to slums and under bridges to meet real street children. Wang Longji was also very impressive. During the months of filming, no matter what the weather, he always maintained the same barefoot condition as Sanmao.

What the audience is more concerned about is whether Sanmao’s hair and nose are real. Of course they are not.

Sanmao’s hair was wrapped with copper wire and fixed to his scalp with adhesive plaster. In order to ensure a firm bond, Wang Longji had to shave his head once a day, which resulted in him not being able to see the razor during his haircut.

Sanmao’s other iconic round nose is treated much better. It is made by melting imported bubble gum in boiling water and pinching it again. There are many of them, so if you look carefully, you will find that Sanmao’s nose is every time There will be some small differences.

In the film, Wang Longji had two profound experiences. One was drinking paste. Of course, it was not paste, but made from lotus root powder. In order to encourage him, director Yan Gong drank it first by holding the lotus root powder in his arms. Half a barrel.

Another time, Sanmao picked up his wallet and returned it to a passerby, but was beaten by the passerby. The passerby actor was hired temporarily and had no acting experience, so his attack was not serious. Wang Longji recalled that he was really like San Mao in the comics and was beaten until his eyes were full of stars.

It must be said that Sanmao will be a handsome young man when he grows up. We can see this by looking at Wang Longji's 18-year-old photo.

After playing Sanmao, Wang Longji received great honors, but he did not choose to stay in the film industry. As an adult, he became an expert in the field of radio in my country.

4. Is "San Mao Wandering" a comedy or a tragedy?

Some people once said that "The Wandering Story of Sanmao" was too poorly shot and the plot was always stuck one after another. There is some truth to this statement, because "The Wanderings of San Mao" is composed of four short stories in a set, which is the original nature of the film.

Is "San Mao Wandering" a comedy or a tragedy?

Fundamentally speaking, the essence of comics is still comedy, but the theme of "wandering" is too cruel and realistic, so "Sanmao Wandering" also looks like a tragedy.

In addition, the film also has a characteristic of that era and comics itself, satire.

In movies, images that use contrast to create satire are everywhere.

Sanmao drank the paste but was stopped by the person who posted the slogan. He pointed at the slogan on the wall and reprimanded Sanmao: Pay attention to hygiene and do not enter raw or cold food.

The most ironic thing was the Children's Day Parade at that time. The Boy Scouts in the parade wore crisp uniforms, and the leader shouted slogans: Children are the future of the country, and we must protect children.

San Mao, who was in the team, also shouted and was thrown out of the team. Even the street children who organized a small team to play were broken up.

Sanmao sold himself for 10,000 yuan (legal currency, and he could not buy a box of matches at that time).

In the store behind Sanmao, the price of imported dolls is 10 million yuan. Can one doll buy a thousand Sanmao?

The director’s Xiao Jiujiu is not only reflected in these places, but also in some inconspicuous details. Look at this invitation, the names of the two rich people who adopted Sanmao, and look at the address of the rich man’s home. No wonder Webb and Zhang Leping will receive threatening letters saying "Beware of losing your head".

Speaking of this invitation, we must mention the glorious ending of "San Mao Wandering", a feast of stars.

5. A feast of dazzling stars

In "The Wandering Story of Sanmao", there are no big stars in the main actors. Except for the veteran actor Guan Hongda, who is a familiar face, other big stars Some of the actors are not famous, and the homeless friends like Sanmao are all orphans in children's welfare homes.

The well-known actor we can notice is the guest star Shangguan Yunzhu. She is the cousin of producer Webb and is a great help to the film.

In the film, the beautiful little girl who kisses Sanmao is Shangguan Yunzhu’s daughter Yao Yao. Also, the pianist who accompanied Yao Yao was Wang Yunjie, the father of "Sanmao" Wang Longji.

In fact, at the most gorgeous and noisy banquet at the end of "The Wandering Story of Sanmao", almost the most famous movie stars in Shanghai gathered together.

We can see Sun Daolin, Lin Moyu, Zhongshuhuang, Wu Yin, Zhao Dan and Huang Zongying from the movie moments.

In fact, there were more than 40 celebrities who appeared in the entire banquet. This is the list recorded by producer Webb: Zhongshuhuang, Wang Jing'an, Zhu Sha, Zhu Lin, Sha Li, Ruan Fei, Lin Zidan, Jin Shuzhi, Wu Yin, Lin Moyu, Qimengshi, Xu Man, Xu Xu, Yuan Rong, Sun Daolin, Gao Zheng, Guo Ling, Huang Zongying, Huang Wenru, Liang Ming, Gao Yiyun, Xu Lan, Zhang Manping, Zhang Shao, Zhang Qian, Zhang Wan, Zhang Yisheng, Fu Huizhen, Zhang Qingfen, Cheng Menglian, Nong Zhongnan, Zhao Dan, Wang Yi, Xiong Wei, Guan Peng, Ying Xuan, Lan Youxin, Su Ying, Su Yin, Su Manyi, Tan Yun, Shangguan Yun beads.

It is worth mentioning that, first of all, these big stars at the time did not come just for one day, but came every day. The whole scene was filmed for more than a week.

Secondly, all celebrities don’t pay a penny, and they bring their own clothes, design their own identities, and put on their own makeup.

The image of Lin Moyu holding a cigarette holder in her mouth is particularly conspicuous. She said that the identity she designed for herself is that of a wealthy widow.

In the film, there is a scene where Wu Yin viciously beats a homeless boy who broke into a party. Don’t get me wrong, this is not Wu Yin’s intention to hit, but the behavioral characteristics of her self-designed identity, because she plays Miss Kong Er.

What’s interesting is that when these celebrities recalled this celebrity feast, they even confused the shooting time. Some said it was taken before Shanghai was liberated, and some said it was taken after Shanghai was liberated. .

Actually, their memories were correct. The filming of "The Wanderings of San Mao" coincided with the liberation of Shanghai. This movie magically spanned the old and new eras.

6. Two endings of "Sanmao's Wanderings"

The original ending of "Sanmao's Wanderings" was: After the noisy celebrity feast, Sanmao abandoned the wealthy family. He put on his sackcloth again, and took to the streets again with the street children in the snowflakes to continue their wandering life.

Just when the crew came to the end of filming, Shanghai was liberated. On the day of liberation, the crew photographers spontaneously took to the streets to record the images of the People's Liberation Army entering the city. We can also do this in "The Wanderings of Sanmao" See these precious historical shots.

And "Sanmao's Wandering Story" has a new ending: Sanmao and the street children were timid about participating in the parade due to their previous experiences in the Children's Day parade, but finally with everyone's help With encouragement, they were finally able to join the team and learn Yangko with confidence, and they were so excited that they even turned around.

Some people on the Internet criticized this ending, thinking that it ruined the atmosphere of the entire movie. The author would like to say that first of all, this ending has a strong echoing effect on the previous shots. Secondly, "San Mao's Wandering Story" has a bright ending, which is what most viewers want to see, because San Mao deserves this.

7. What kind of child is Sanmao?

Wang Longji said that after filming "Sanmao's Wandering Story", his whole person changed. He learned from Sanmao. A lot of stuff arrived.

Director Yan Gong said that he and Wang Longji went to the bridge where street children gathered to observe their lives. Wang Longji also made friends with these children. They found that many street children have the idea and ability to support themselves. Although some may tempt them to commit petty theft, many children consciously resist this temptation.

San Mao has a lot of human glory in him. He is kind-hearted and has a lot of money. He is brave and dares to resist in the face of bullying. He has backbone and is unwilling to give up his human dignity and friends for material life.

In short, Sanmao is a child with an independent personality. He has rare and excellent qualities. He should and deserves a bright future, and his future is also our future.