The year 1927 witnessed the further growth of Chinese cinema, with a record high of 120 movies released during the year. For the first time, Mingxing was not the leader in output, with the Shao brothers Tianyi studio bringing out 18 features and the Kaixin studio 17, while Mingxing produced 15. 1927 was also notable in Chinese film history with the publication of China Cinema Year Book, the first comprehensive collection of information and data about Chinese cinema as an industry. But for the film historian, the major Chinese motion picture event of that year was the screen debut of the woman who became the greatest star of China's silent film era, an actress whose personal life was no less tragic than the characters she portrayed on screen, "the Chinese Garbo" -- Ruan Lingyu.
As we look at the films of the era and consider what the makers wanted to achieve with their productions, it was obvious that many were using the new media to express their dissatisfaction with some of China's traditional family values. In this movie, while the primary target of criticism was the feudal practice of arranged marriages, another target was patrilineage, which we discussed in an earlier post. In this film, the head of the wealthy Fang family is just as anxious to keep his estate out of the hands of an unworthy male relative as were those of lesser economic status. But as we note in a comment at the end of this article, the makers' message was still not absolutely clear on this topic.
Guamingde Fu Qi (1927) 挂名的夫妻 (A Couple in Name)
Mingxing. Silent. B&W. 10 reels. Premiered April 30, 1927 at the Palace Theater in Shanghai. Direction: Bu Wancang. Screenplay and Program notes: Zheng Zhengqiu. Cinematography: Dong Keyi. Set Design: Dong Tianya. Cast: Ruan Lingyu (Shi Miaowen), Wang Mengshi (Shi Benyi), Wang Xieyan (Madam Shi Xi), Gong Jianong (Wang Dingzhang), Huang Junpu (Fang Shaolian), Gao Lihen (Tao Zongmeng), Wang Caide (Fang Shaozi), Zheng Erqiu (Fang Xiaozi), Xiao Ying (Fang Chongde), Tang Jie (Fang Shuzi), Zhao Jingxia (Madame Fang Qin), Li Lina (Madame Fang Tao), Pan Zhengfang (Mrs. Li the matchmaker), Wu Xiaying (Yang Liying in the play), Wei Bang (Mo Mingxin in the play), Wang Xianzhai (Fang Bolian).
When bright and attractive Shi Miaowen is about to graduate from a top women's school, her cousin Wang Dingzhang, who has loved her for a long time, returns from his own studies abroad to propose to her. Arriving home, he is devastated to learn that her parents have engaged her to another young man named Fang Shaolian, the grandson of Fang Chongde, the very wealthy head of the Fang clan and a man desperate for an heir. The elder Fang's son Bolian died young, leaving behind the sickly and crippled Shaolian, expected to die at an early age as his father did. Mr. Fang also has an avaricious nephew named Shuzi who schemes to some day obtain the family fortune. He even offers up his own son Xiaozi for adoption by the elder Mr. Fang as a replacement heir, in the hope having a healthy potential new heir will enduce the older Mr. Fang to cancel the engagement. Shuzi explains this in a letter to the Shi family, including a photo of the obviously sickly and unattractive Shaolian, but Miaowen's father Shi Benyi and his wife decide Miaowen should be kept ignorant of this. He burns both the photo and letter.
[left, a young man learns from his lover they have no future together. Click on any image to enlarge.]
Miaowen's mother falls critically ill, and on her deathbed begs Miaowen to do nothing to prevent the marriage, which will be a financial bonanza for the Shi household. After the mother's death, Shaolian arrives at the Shi home to offer his condolences, and while he worships on bended knees before the family altar, the servants in hiding snicker at his appearance. Curious about what they are laughing at, Miaowen peeks in and sees her fiance for the first time, which distresses her greatly. When Wang Dingzhang arrives to also pay his respects, she tells him she is aware of his feelings for her, feelings she has long shared, but under feudal tradition she is powerless to act. She also faces a bleak future, for when Shaolian dies, tradition also dictates she remain a celibate widow for the remainder of her life.
One day, Miaowen and her father attend an entertainment program at her school, and part of the program is a playlet in which a young woman marries a disabled man, a coupling ridiculed by others. However, the woman in the play is unconcerned, ignoring the criticisms. Later, when Shi Benyi asks her why, Miaowen replies, "His body was deformed, but his spirit was healthy." Shi Benyi is overjoyed to hear her words, and upon their return home he immediately dispatches an intermediary to the Fang's home to speed up the marriage negotiations. Old Mr. Fang is also delighted, and directs his wife to choose an auspicious day for the wedding. But when Mr. Shi tells Miaowen of this, to his shock she objects. Shi Benyi informs his daughter she must sacrifice herself so that the two families can be linked, and Shaolian must do the same because it was his late father's dying wish. When Miaowen hears this, she realizes that while it is unjust she has no choice but to agree. 
[right, Miaowen awakens on her wedding day filled with despair]
On their wedding night, Miaowen is so filled with bitterness she refuses to even so much as glance at Shaolian. Shaolian, feeling very unworthy of her, vows to Miaowen he will never do anything to offend her, then moves some bedding to the floor and sleeps there.
[left, although she is hostile, Shaolian treats his unwilling bride with kindness and respect.]
Her mother detects this, and the next day pleads with Miaowen to be nicer to Shaolian, lest Shuzi exploit the situation to seize control of the Fang's fortune and property. That same day, Shuzi's wife boldly visits the young couple, hoping to learn the true state of affairs. But during her visit Miaowen is very gentle and loving with Shaolian, which leads the astonished visitor to leave in confusion. One day, Miaowen falls ill and begins running a fever, then lapses into a coma. Fearing his son will become infected, Old Mr. Fang entreats Shaolian to separate himself from her, and have Miaowen transported to her family's home. But Shaolian rejects this, and insists on remaining constantly with his wife, spending day and night by her bedside. Before long, Miaowen's condition improves, but Shaolian has been infected and soon dies. When Miaowen regains consciousness and learns of Shaolian's devotion to her, she is overwhelmed with guilt and regret. Miaowen vows to devote her life to caring for her late husband's grandparents. In addition, she spends the entire day keeping vigil beside his coffin. 
[right, clad in traditional white mourning dress, Miaowen overhears two servants joking about her late husband's care and devotion to her.]
One day, a messenger brings a letter from Wang Dingzhang seeking an interview with her. Without hesitating, Miaowen tosses the letter into the stove and tells the messenger, "Go back and tell your master we will not meet again in this life."
[Comment: While it is not surprising that a Zheng Zhengqiu screenplay would expose and decry the feudal tradition of arranged marriage, a theme he attacked in several earlier films, in this one he took a contradictory stand on the matter. His heroine Miaowen remains an oppressed and helpless victim of tradition despite her intelligence and education, yet after her husband's death she staunchly adopts the traditional widow's role, vowing to remain celibate for the rest of her days out of respect for her late husband's memory (despite the marriage never having been consumated). This was a major production for the time and for the Mingxing studio, one that has been analyzed repeatedly by Chinese film scholars over the years. But none of them have come up with a satisfactory explanation of what exactly was Zheng's message in this film.]
