Banye Qingren (1926) 半夜情人 (Midnight Lovers)
Da Zhongguo (Great China). B&W. Silent. 11 reels. Genre: Drama. Producer: Gu Wuwei. Direction and Screenplay: Xia Chifeng. Cinematography: Zhang Weitao. Cast: Chen Qiufeng (Gu Shiyi), Lin Ruxin (Zhou Fanlu), Zhu Jianling (Zhou Zhongchi), Liu Qingqing (Cheng Weibo), Dong Tiane (Cheng Shouli), Zhong Dalü (Liu Wenbo), Zhang Feiwo (Liu Zuoquan), Chen Yechan (Zhang the matchmaker), Xu Shumei (mortgage holder), Wang Fengshan (bakeshop owner).
[left, a father is displeased to hear of a broken engagement]
Ex-soldier Gu Shiyi is unable to find work in civilian life and becomes a homeless drifter. When hunger drives him to steal some buns from a bakeshop, he is caught and beaten. Fortunately, prominent local resident Zhou Zhongchi passes by, and recognizing Gu as an old schoolmate, intercedes on his behalf. Zhou takes Gu back to his home, where he feeds him and gives him new clothes and shoes. Zhou's snobbish younger sister Fanlu takes an instant dislike to Gu because of his shabby appearance and poverty. Even when some roughnecks try to take liberties with Fanlu on the street, and Gu Shiyi courageously intervenes to drive them off, she still does not even offer her thanks, let alone alter her obvious disdain for him.
One day, musician Liu Wenfu comes to the Zhou residence promoting an upcoming benefit concert, and falls for Fanlu at first sight. But Wenfu is already secretly engaged to a girl named Cheng Weibo, having frequent late-night trysts with her, and discussing marriage. When he shifts his affections to Zhou Fanlu, Weibo is heartbroken. Zhou Zhongchi has known Weibo since childhood and has always loved her, although she has never given him a second glance. Gu Shiyi also fell for Fanlu when they first met, but his poverty and her obvious hostility lead the ex-soldier to keep his feelings secret.
When Liu Wenfu's father learns of his son's having broken the engagement, he tries to force Wenfu to marry the girl, but his son adamantly refuses. But he winds up losing both women, for when Zhou Fanlu sees how fickle Wenfu is, she goes to Gu Shiyi, the man she now realizes really loves her.
