Released in mid-1939, Twin Sisters of the Southis the earliest surviving print of a Cantonese feature in the Hong Kong Film Archive's collection. It was the first production by actress Wu Tip-ying's film company, and her last performance before retiring from the screen due to marriage. Wu herself wrote the play-within-the-play, Wong Chiu-kwan, that features in the movie, as well as performing the roles of the twin sisters.
Siu-tip and Tai-tip were separated by the war, with the former taken to the countryside by her father and the latter adopted by a millionaire, who renames her Wan-ying. Wan-ying runs away from home to escape the attentions of a playboy and meets Lee Chung-ching (Cantonese star Ng Cho-fan), who happens to be Siu-tip's former boyfriend. Recognising a jade buckle she is wearing, Lee realises Wan-ying is really Siu-tip's sister and, believing Siu-tip is dead, falls in love with her. However, Siu-tip is far from dead: she ran away from the countryside and is in the big city. Problems start when some detectives, hired by the millionaire to find Wan-ying, mistake her for her sister...
Though basically made (with non-dialogue scenes shot mute), the film is well acted, smoothly edited and with clear synch-sound. Wu is excellent in the double role of the sisters, especially the spoilt, blousy-ish Wan-ying. Surviving print is in generally good condition, though the end title is missing.
Derek Elley