Tan Zhiyuan 谭志远 was a native of Anhui province, born there in 1889. He made his movie debut in 1926 with the Tianyi studio and later that year moved to Mingxing. He became one of that studio's most reliable older character actors, remaining with Mingxing until the outbreak of war in 1937 shut down its productions. He also co-directed three films at the start of the decade.
Filmography (as actor, unless otherwise noted):
1926:
Love and Gold
Four Commandments
The Good Son (aka A Good Guy)
A Little Lover
Fiancee
Her Sorrows
A Child Laborer
The Rich Man's Daughter
1927:
Sacrifice for Parents
Fallen Plum Blossoms, I-III
1928:
White Cloud Tower, I-II
Burning of the Red Lotus Temple, I,V,VI
The Great Swordsman's Revenge
Heroine in Black
Kick
A Stressful Wedding
The Heroine Saves a Lady
The Girl Detective
1929:
Tears and Flowers, I,II
The Life of the Rich
Beauty Under the Blade
New Journey to the West, I-III
Young Compatriots on the Battlefield
Blood of the Lovers
1930:
A Red Egg
Three Fathers (co-director)
1931:
The Murderess (co-director)
Sea of Hatred (co-director)
In Old Beijing
Songstress Red Peony
1932:
Sorrow and Happiness
The Flower of Freedom
1933:
Battlefield Adventures
Raging Torrent
Cries of Women
Twin Sisters
1934:
A Bible for Girls
1935:
Big Family
The Boatman's Daughter
1936:
Brothers
New and Old Shanghai
Hai Tanghong
Women's Rights
Revolutionaries
1937:
Mother's Secrets
New Year's Money
