Yin Xiucen

Yin Xiucen (殷秀岑), also known as S.C. Ying (June 12, 1911 - March 3, 1979) was a Chinese actor, singer, film director and comedian. During his twenty-five year film career, he became particularly known for his comic roles with Han Langen.

Biography

Yin Xiucen was born in Tianjin to a family of restauranteurs. He studied at Tientsin No.7 High School. He was first cast in a comedy role for the 1931 movie “New Resentment in the Forbidden City” (故宫新怨), which was also the screen debut for famous Chinese actress Bai Yang (白杨). The hilarious performance of the portly actor, who reportedly weighted up to 300 kg, caught the attention of both the audience and production professionals. Shortly after, he was transferred to Lianhua's Shanghai studio where he would soon meet Han Langen. The two would gain a reputation as China's "Laurel and Hardy" He appeared in mostly comedic films such as Queen of Sports, Kuanghuan Zhi Ye, Lang Shan de Xue Ji, and more such as his famous comedic role in the wartime movie "Mulan joines the Army" and "Princess Iron Fan", Which was China's first animated movie. 1935 was the start of the Han Langen, Yin Xuecen duo.

The duo would go on to collaborate in more than 200 films such as “Blood on Wolf Mountain” (狼山喋血记), "The Bachelors” (王老五), "The Beggar's Daughter" (乞丐千金), "A Tale of Lovers and Heroes"(儿女英雄传), "The Three Musketeers of China" (中国三剑客), "Tears of Mountains and Rivers" (山河泪), “Chinese Princess Snow White” (白雪公主), "Nine Deaths" (九死一生), and "A Thousand Purples and Reds" (万紫千红.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 both actors continued to perform, although no longer as a duo. That is until, Han Langen and Yin Xiucen re-united in 1957 for one last hurrah, their final film, ironically titled the “Unfinished Comedy" (没有完成的喜剧). Yin retired from performing after Mao personally denounced the movie, However, Yin became persecuted during the Cultural Revolution for his movies “Blood on Wolf Mountain” (狼山喋血记) and "The Bachelors” (王老五). Actress Jiang Qing, who would become known as Madame Mao, played roles in both of these movies and was infamous for later going after many of her former co-stars out of envy. Yin was arrested in 1973 but was one of the first people freed after Mao's death in 1976, as part of the Boluan Fanzheng period. Yin Xiucen died in Shanghai, on March 3, 1979. Reportedly, over 1100 people showed up to the funeral procession.