Shaolin Sunday – The Hot The Cool and The Vicious

This week on Shaolin Sunday, we take a look back and revisit not only a classic, but a Paul Nice classic with The Hot The Cool and The Vicious.  I remember talking to Paul years back about flicks and he brought this one up as one of his favorites.  I hadn’t seen it in years and it never really stood out to me as one of my go to flicks but after his mentioning that day I remember to heading down to the Kung Fu DVD and VHS bootleg spot, Universal Video in Chinatown to grab a copy.  Since that day, it’s been in the rotation of flicks when I get into a movie marathon of Saturday afternoon flicks.

Plot

“Black Stone is a quiet sleepy town until a mysterious stranger arrives. Secretive of his business he soon arouses suspicion especially when his identity is revealed as the infamous, troublemaking ‘Southern Fist’ fighter Pai Yu Ching. Tan Tao Liang plays ‘Northern Leg’ Captain Lu, the towns ‘sheriff’ who finds himself in deep water when the mayor’s son murders his (Capt Lu’s) mother-in-law. Lu is steadfast in his resolve to catch the killer but has many obstacles put in his way, particularly Ms. Li (Suen Ga Lam); the sister of an ex-sheriff who Lu accidentally killed and wants revenge, and the mayor, who hires Pai Yu Ching to protect his house from any would-be lawmen that might try to arrest his son. The mayor has other reasons for keeping Lu at arms length as he is deeply involved in a counterfeiting ring. Pai Yu Ching is actually a secret government official, who in the beginning is often in staring contests with Capt Lu but eventually seeks Lu’s help after his partner is killed by the hotels owner (who is secretly in cahoots with the Mayor). When matters get out of hand the mayor calls on his partner, the strange Mr Lung (Tommy Lee), for help. Mr Lung is a kind of golden haired, white faced gorilla-like creature that speaks in an echoed voice and walks with a limp. He is, however, extremely competent at mantis kung fu. Mr. Lung eventually helps the mayor capture Capt Lu and Pai Yu Ching after they find the seal that makes counterfeit money. Ms. Li puts aside her hatred for Capt Lu and rescues him a Pai and kills the mayor. Capt Lu and Pai Yu Ching then hunt down Mr. Lung for a final showdown.”