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One of the films that really captivated me in my exploration of classic Kung Fu Theater was the 1979 film, ‘Sleeping Fist.’
I remember watching the Thundering Mantis and feeling blessed Leung Kar-Yan ‘Beardy’, and Huang I-Lung the two other key components of ‘Sleeping Fist’ reunited to make another film.
Fishmonger: As we meet our protagonist here, Ah-Chi (Leung Kar-Yan) is working as a fishmonger now. We see Ah-Chi’s boss directing him to deliver some crabs to a nearby resturaunt. On route to the resturaunt Ah-Chi notices some guys from the gem horse gang robbing a local merchant. So, Ah-Chi jumps in and kicks some ass and that would prove to be the inciting incident for the movie.
Sale of the Century: When Ah Chi returns back to the fish store after being gone for so long his employer is furious. He proceeds to inform him that he is going to cut his pay for the aforementioned reason. Ah Chi finds himself playing his bosses game at this point. In retaliation, Ah Chi decides to hold an extremely popular buy one get one sale which loses his employer quite a bit of money. Taking advantage of the commotion is The Kid (Huang I-Lung) who is fishing straight from the barrels of the fish shop. When Ah Chi catches The Kid in the act, he is confronted with the Kid weaving a sob story about his both his parents dying and having to take care of his sick grandfather. Feeling sympathetic Ah Chi proceeds to give the Kid some extra fish to feed his grandfather.
Lies, Lies, Lies, Oh My: A while later, The Kid’s ‘sick’ Grandfather (Chin Yuet-Sang, The Lama Avenger) appears on the lookout for the little troublemaker. Both Ah Chi and Grandfather find The Kid a few streets over selling the very fish he stole. Grandfather scolds The Kid and takes him away. Ah Chi, despite witnessing the whole incident, is informed that his teacher needs him right away. Apparently, The Jade Horse Gang paid Ah Chi’s teacher a visit and told him to expel Ah Chi from his school; otherwise, they’d return and kill all the pupils!
Higher Learning: A dispirited Ah Chi widens his eyes as he aimlessly wanders the streets thinking that no longer the school does he have to train at, only to see The Kid entertain some amazed spectators. After The Kid’s street show, Ah Chi’s Grandfather walks around with a collection bowl, which immediately alerts the attention of the Jade Horse Gang. Ah Chi simply cannot afford to remain idle, so he takes matters into his own hands. In retrospect against his Grandfather’s instructions, this leads Grandfather’s son to know that over time, Grandfather will be Ah Chi’s new master and train him on the art of the Mantis Fist!
Has the Eagle Landed? Shiao Tse Tung, the commander of the Eagle Fist and the great leader of the Jade Horse Gang, is at the helm of his fidgeting pigeons. In order to defeat Shiao, Ah Chi must bring out the newest addition to his weaponry portfolio – The mantis Fist – more affectionately known to the rest of the world as the grappling fist. The outcome of a petty feud between Shian, the kid, and the Jade Horse Gang looks bleak for everyone involved. This grand conclusion is layered, indescribable, violent, and brutal which deceives the audience’s expectations of what is to come. It has somehow turned into a bloody mess between Ah Chi and his once trustable ally, Shiao Tse Tung.
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