Kung Fu Film Guides
Gordon Liu and Chia-Hui Liu are the same actor
Gordon Liu, Chia-Hui Liu, and Liu Chia-hui refer to the same actor. You may also encounter Lau Kar-fai or Liu Jiahui. MoMA’s film credits use Gordon Liu Chia-hui, and the UCLA Film & Television Archive connects Lau Kar-fai with Gordon Liu Jiahui.
Recognizing those names helps you follow a favorite performance into another film. It also gives you a useful clue when two DVD listings look similar but use different cast credits or packaging.
The names to recognize
| Name on a listing or credit | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Gordon Liu | A useful starting point for an English-language search. |
| Liu Chia-hui or Chia-Hui Liu | The same Mandarin name in two orders. Liu is the surname; Chia-Hui Liu puts the given name first. |
| Liu Jiahui or Liu Jia Hui | The Mandarin spelling in pinyin. The spaced form separates the given name’s two syllables. |
| Lau Kar-fai | The Cantonese form associated with Gordon Liu. |
| 劉家輝 | His Chinese screen name, useful when comparing credits with an English cast list. |
These names refer to the same actor. The spelling alone does not establish the DVD’s cut, soundtrack, or format.
A real example from the CKF shelf
Open Challenge of the Masters. Its introduction names Gordon Liu, while the cast field lists Chia-Hui Liu. Both point to the actor playing the young Wong Fei-hung. Chen Kuan-tai plays his teacher, and Lau Kar-leung directs. MoMA’s film note confirms those roles.
The same cast list includes Chia-Liang Liu (Liu Chia-liang), the name used for Lau Kar-leung. MoMA’s retrospective confirms that alternate name. In Challenge of the Masters, Lau Kar-leung directs and also appears in the cast, while Gordon Liu plays the young Wong Fei-hung. Read the complete name when comparing credits: Chia-Hui and Chia-Liang identify different people here.
Match the film before comparing the DVD
When two listings look related, work through these checks:
- Compare the complete title and any alternate title. Similar words such as “Shaolin” or “Master” are not enough to establish that two releases contain the same film.
- Match the cast and story. Look for another performer or a specific character, rather than relying only on the star’s photograph.
- Use the year as supporting information. A year helps narrow a search, but a disputed date should not outweigh a clear title and cast match.
- Then compare edition details. Audio, subtitles, runtime, and the version supplied are separate questions from the actor’s identity.
For example, Heroes of the East also circulated as Shaolin Challenges Ninja. Matching those titles identifies the film. A different cover or name spelling does not, by itself, identify a particular cut or soundtrack.
Three CKF listings that put the names in context
The three listings below are made-to-order DVD-R editions. Check each product page for its audio, subtitles, and playback requirements. CKF’s About Our DVDs page explains the format.
- Challenge of the Masters connects “Gordon Liu” in the introduction with “Chia-Hui Liu” in the cast list. Start here for the clearest example.
- Clan of the White Lotus also uses Chia-Hui Liu in its cast field and Gordon Liu in its film introduction. It shows why searching only one spelling can be limiting.
- Heroes of the East uses Gordon Liu in its cast list. It is another connection to follow once you recognize the alternate names.
For a route through the films, continue with the Shaw Brothers viewing guide. For help choosing an edition, read Dubbed or subtitled kung fu DVDs.
Before you choose a disc
Does the actor’s name confirm a Shaw Brothers studio credit?
No. Check the production information for the individual film. An actor search and a studio collection answer different questions.
Does a Mandarin or Cantonese name tell me the DVD language?
No. The spelling in a cast list describes how a person’s name is written. Check the listing’s audio and subtitle details for the DVD being sold. If an edition detail is unclear, ask CKF about that title before ordering.