Chapter 192: 191, Republic Of China Disguise Techniques And Painted Skin, Open-air Movies, Disguise Trip To Shanghai
For the sales of Taishan Brand free cigarettes, new advertisements were immediately produced and launched.
These advertisements were of high quality and originality, catching the eye and remaining memorable.
Three advertisements, each with a different artistic style, were widely promoted through newspapers, radio broadcasts, and outdoor advertising.
In terms of newspapers, a large advertisement was placed on the first page of Shen Bao. The single-sided advertisement could be cut out and pasted on a window to serve as a decorative painting.
Radio broadcasts were targeted at the middle and upper classes. After returning home each evening, they would turn on their radios and hear advertisements interspersed by the announcer.
Outdoor advertisements were adjusted according to different circumstances. Some were designed as scenic signs placed in busy traffic areas where people entered and exited the city, while others were wall hangings on skyscrapers or smaller signs, about 3 meters long, displayed on the sides of buildings.
As for movies, they were slightly delayed because it was necessary to select film sources for pre-screening advertisements.
Sun Debiao brought back three movies that were currently popular from the Shanghai Bund Film Company.
They were 《Flowing Stream《, 《The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple《, and 《King Kong《.
To choose one of the three films, Fang Wen felt his aesthetic sense might not be in sync with the times, so he organized three evening viewing events.
The location was chosen on a flat open area outside the airport, behind Airport Street. This land, purchased by a businessman for building and resale, was temporarily leased for screenings.
As night fell, the open space behind Airport Street became busy.
Two wooden poles were erected, and a white cloth for screening was hung between them.
While the film company’s staff adjusted the equipment, the audience began to arrive one after another.
There were staff members from Taishan Airlines, China Airlines, and residents and merchants from nearby.
When they arrived, they brought their own small stools or carried newspapers.
A large crowd of moviegoers filled the open space, finding acquaintances to chat with, creating a noisy and boisterous scene.
Fang Wen and his wife Kuang Mingzhu also came, along with Chun Cao, Qiu Ju, and the cook Wu Ma.
If this situation were not controlled, the movie wouldn’t be watchable tonight.
He signaled to Sun Debiao.
Sun Debiao stood on a stone, holding a loudspeaker, and said loudly, “Everyone be quiet.”
Unable to command respect, the noise continued.
He spoke even louder, “If anyone talks again, the movie won’t be shown tonight.”
Instantly, silence fell.
Sun Debiao then had the opportunity to speak, “We will be showing movies for three consecutive days, one each night, all for free. However, before the screening, I need to state some important points. 1. During the movie screening, no bright lights are allowed, and no noise that disturbs the audience. 2. After the three days of viewing, select the one you think is the best. Can everyone do that?”
A response came from below. “We can do it.” “No problem. Start the screening.”
Alright, Sun Debiao waved for the film company’s projectionist to begin and jumped down from the large stone.
For three consecutive nights, the venue was packed.
《Flowing Stream《 was a rare realistic film from Shanghai.
The story depicted the great flood of the Yangtze River in 1931, how a certain area in Hankou was about to be submerged by the water, and the events that transpired during that period.
The primary school teacher Liu Tiesheng led the villagers in a brave rescue effort; however, the local richest man, Fu Bairen, impersonated disaster relief efforts, embezzled a large amount of donations, and fled to Hankou. The grudges, conflicts, and tragic twists in between intensified.
Because it was critical of reality, it struck a chord with many people. Even with Sun Debiao’s prior warnings, some people couldn’t control themselves and shouted curses, venting their emotions.
“Flowing Stream” touched people’s hearts and received good feedback, but it was too depressing, and not everyone enjoyed watching it.
The next day’s “King Kong” received an even more enthusiastic response.
《King Kong《 was a fantasy film released by the United States in April （1933）. The film reels were transported by ocean cargo ship, and coincidentally, Fang Wen had a connection to it. The cargo ship that transported the film reels was the same one Fang Wen used to transport the bullet production line. After unloading its cargo in Yangon, it sailed to Shanghai.
This film attracted people from all walks of life in Shanghai upon its release.
The main attraction was the giant ape, so enormous that it climbed a skyscraper and could smash airplanes with a single blow.
For the viewers, the wonders displayed by these special effects were astonishing.
Many audience members truly believed that such giant apes existed in the world.
The third day’s screening was a film that had been popular for 4 years: 《The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple《.
This film, completed and released in 1928, was a wuxia film and also the first fantasy film from China.
Its popularity for four years was due to its special effects, which were no less impressive than “King Kong,” and its depiction of Chinese culture.
Additionally, it served as an emotional outlet for people’s frustrations with reality.
In the fantastical world of wuxia films, they could freely experience grudges and revenge, which was most enjoyable.
However, Fang Wen saw even more in it.
This was likely the first film to use wire-fu （Weia）.
It also featured techniques like combining real characters with animated figures to depict “sword light duels,” as well as character scaling and even cloning techniques, similar to those used in “King Kong.”
He realized that the person who filmed this movie was definitely talented, with special effects no worse than Hollywood films of the same period, and he felt a desire to meet them.
After three days of screenings, all the viewers voted.
Sun Debiao submitted the voting results to Fang Wen for review.
Looking at the final results, there was no surprise; “The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple” received the most votes.
Fang Wen beckoned Sun Debiao over, “Tomorrow, we’ll go into the city and talk to Star Film Company, the producers of ‘The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple.'”
Sun Debiao looked troubled, “That won’t do. If the Japanese discover you entering the city, it will be dangerous.”
“I have a way. You go back first, and we’ll set off together tomorrow.”
“General Manager, do you really have a way?” Sun Debiao was still worried.
“Yes, don’t worry.”
After Sun Debiao left, Fang Wen dialed a number – it was for the Five Senior Brothers of Toumen.
He directly identified himself.
“This is Fang Wen. You mentioned a method to change one’s appearance last time. Can you teach it to me?”
“If the General Manager wants to learn, of course, we can. When?”
“Today. Can I learn it in one day?”
“Certainly. It’s better to have an assistant, though. If you do it yourself, it might not turn out well.”
“Then I’ll trouble you to come over today and teach me.”
“Okay, I’ll inform them. We’ll prepare some things and be right over.”
After the phone call, Fang Wen stood up and walked to the next room.
The Deputy General Manager’s office next door belonged to his wife, Kuang Mingzhu, who assisted her husband with the company’s daily operations.
Fang Wen pushed open the door and walked to his wife, who was looking at documents. “We need to do something when we get home later.”
Kuang Mingzhu’s face flushed. “Do what? It’s daytime, that’s not appropriate.”
Fang Wen smiled, “The disguise technique I mentioned before. Toumen has agreed, and they said it’s better with two people. They’ll be here soon, let’s go home and wait.”
Kuang Mingzhu covered her face, feeling embarrassed about her wild thoughts. Then she got up and went downstairs with her husband.
An hour later, the Five from Toumen arrived in a car.
Now wealthy, they had retired from their former shady dealings after inheriting their sect’s skills and were enjoying life.
The five men, dressed in fine silk robes, got out of the car. Fang Wen smiled and welcomed them inside.
Inside, they placed the items on the table.
And introduced them one by one.
“These are the items needed for disguise: human skin masks, painting skin medicinal liquid and powders, and various brushes.”
Human skin masks, painting skin!
Fang Wen was surprised.
Kuang Mingzhu was quite frightened and hid behind her husband.
The speaker was reprimanded by the others and then explained to Fang Wen.
“He’s just fond of boasting and exaggerating. The human skin mask only resembles human skin; real human skin cannot be preserved to be made into a mask. Painting skin is not like in ‘Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio’; our human skin masks are formless and need to be customized for different faces as required.”
With this explanation, Kuang Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief but still dared not look.
Fang Wen comforted his wife, “Don’t be afraid. They said it’s not real human skin. Let me take a look first.”
He picked up a human skin mask and examined it.
It had a rubbery texture and was elastic, feeling similar to future silicone masks.
It was likely a secret technique of Toumen, but it was indeed not skin tissue, as organic matter cannot maintain its original appearance in the air for long.
He turned and said, “Mingzhu, don’t worry, it’s not real human skin.”
His assurance finally put Kuang Mingzhu at ease, and she boldly walked over.
She touched it and was convinced, her worries completely gone.
Next, the Toumen members were to teach them how to disguise themselves.
To achieve a disguise, one needed a human skin mask that generally fit their facial structure. The Toumen members tried several and selected one for Fang Wen.
They then carefully placed it on Fang Wen’s face and demonstrated how to alter the features.
Everyone’s face shape is different, and to change to another face shape, one needs to add volume.
Different fillings create different effects: chubby, thin, long face, round face, square face.
This was the first step of disguise technique: creating the facial contour.
Next was painting the skin.
Painting the skin involved modifying a blank human skin mask with no facial features.
This included:
Skin base color: pale, yellowish, dark, etc.
Eyebrow shape: straight brows, upturned brows, downturned brows, willow brows, etc.
For those with beards, various beards were applied: full beard, mustache, stubble, goatee, etc.
Also, false moles, scars, and wrinkles.
These were all part of painting the skin.
Fang Wen found it very complex, but Kuang Mingzhu loved it and grasped it quickly.
Under guidance, Kuang Mingzhu began her first disguise operation.
She first gently wiped away any residual sweat or oil from Fang Wen’s face and then put on the mask.
After adding a little filler to both cheeks, his face shape became chubby.
Then, Kuang Mingzhu proceeded with the painting operation on his face, applying eyebrows, a beard, wrinkles, and a scar, and then a wig.
The first attempt, using as many elements as possible, resulted in a very distinctive disguise.
“Husband, you can open your eyes now,” Kuang Mingzhu said with a smile.
Fang Wen opened his eyes and looked at his disguised reflection in the mirror.
A tanned complexion, a full beard, thick straight eyebrows, a slightly chubby face, and a centipede scar on his right cheek.
“This face looks very fierce, like a villain,” Fang Wen commented.
Kuang Mingzhu finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “I modeled it after a guard I saw when I was little. I was so scared of him then, I’d cry whenever I saw him.”
It seemed Kuang Mingzhu had a talent for disguise. Fang Wen felt he could do it too.
He learned a bit more from the Toumen members. Then it was Kuang Mingzhu’s turn. After performing the operation, a finished product emerged.
A sallow complexion, thin, light and faint eyebrows, and a mole on the chin.
It looked exactly like a sallow-faced woman.
Women are vain. Kuang Mingzhu looked at her face and pouted, remaining silent.
The disguise technique was learned, but his wife was having a childish tantrum. This family matter was not convenient for outsiders to witness, so the Toumen members quickly took their leave.
After they left, Fang Wen pacified her a little, and Kuang Mingzhu immediately returned to her usual self.
The two then playfully practiced disguise on each other.
The next day, Sun Debiao arrived outside the General Manager’s office and knocked.
“Come in.”
Upon opening the door, Sun Debiao saw the General Manager sitting with his back to him.
“General Manager, what’s wrong?”
As he inquired, Fang Wen turned around.
He was no longer himself but had transformed into a very ordinary-looking middle-aged man.
“You, who are you?” Sun Debiao immediately became tense.
“It’s me. Can’t you recognize my voice?”
The voice was indeed familiar. Sun Debiao looked at the disguised Fang Wen in surprise, looking him up and down.
“Amazing! Did you change your face? I can’t recognize you at all.”
“It’s almost like changing faces. It’s the disguise technique learned from Toumen,” Fang Wen replied.
As he spoke, he stood up and put on a hat. “Let’s go. With this appearance, the Japanese shouldn’t recognize me, right?”
“They absolutely won’t recognize you. This disguise technique is incredible!” Sun Debiao had no more worries.
The two left Taishan Airlines Headquarters and entered a courtyard. A short while later, a specially modified bulletproof armored sedan driven by Fang Wen drove away.
Wearing the human skin mask, Fang Wen drove into the city and felt a sense of security for the first time.
He no longer had to worry about being recognized and could finally enter and exit Shanghai freely.
He was already thinking about what face he would wear the next time he entered the city.
In a completely relaxed state, the car drove through the streets of Shanghai.
From the Old City to the French Concession, and then further up to the International Concession.
Star Film Company, which produced “The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple,” was located on Guizhou Road in the International Concession.
The car stopped at the intersection of Guizhou Road. Fang Wen signaled to a Sikh police officer wearing a red turban.
The Sikh police officer on duty at the intersection approached, and Fang Wen communicated with him in English.
“I’ll leave the car here and give you money to watch it.”
The Sikh police officer shook his head, “No silver dollars.”
Fang Wen took out his wallet and produced one British Pound. “Will this do?”
The Sikh police officer’s face lit up with a smile. He nodded, accepted the banknote, and stood guard by the car.
Sun Debiao was surprised, “General Manager, you can do it like this? I’ve learned something new today.”
Fang Wen smiled, “It’s done like this in British India, so I figured it might work here too. I gave it a try, and it actually worked.”
The two of them got out of the car, laughing and chatting, and headed to the Star Film Company’s office.
（ Sikh police officer from India wearing a red turban standing guard）
（ This photo shows the area that used to be the Hongkou vegetable market, near Emei Road in the Republic of China era, not far north of Guizhou Road）
Fang Wen and Sun Debiao arrived at Star Film Company.
It was very busy here, with actors and film crew staff coming and going.
Some people were getting their makeup done, some were going to the warehouse to pick up props, some were loudly reciting lines, and some were rehearsing on the spot.
Sun Debiao had been here before, and he led Fang Wen straight upstairs, knocking on the door of the Star Film Company manager’s office.
When the door opened, the person saw Sun Debiao and said with a smile, “Manager Sun, we can do the pre-screening advertisement. Have you decided on your end?”
From this tone, it was clear that Star Film Company placed great importance on this additional advertising income.
Sun Debiao introduced, “This is Manager Liu, who is in charge of advertising at our Taishan Airlines. He has come specifically to discuss advertising matters.”
“That’s great, please come in.” The manager of Star Film Company invited Fang Wen and Sun Debiao inside.
To showcase his company’s strength, he displayed a series of stills from movies the Star Film Company had produced since its establishment.
Early films included 《 Throwing Fruit as a Matchmaker》, 《 Zhang Xinsheng》, 《 Orphan Rescues Ancestor》, and 《 Empty Valley Orchid》.
Later, 《 Burning of Red Lotus Temple》 became popular, and they consecutively filmed 9 installments of 《 Burning of Red Lotus Temple》.
In the last two years, they have shifted to sound films, such as 《 Songstress Red Peony》 and 《 Old Shanghai Scenery》.
They also filmed anti-Japanese movies. Two years ago, during the September 18th Incident, they filmed 《 Compatriots, Wake Up Quickly》.
And this year’s release reflecting reality, 《 Torrent》, was also produced by their company.
The company even established a cartoon department this year, preparing to produce animated movies.
After learning about these, Fang Wen was very satisfied.
He asked directly:
“My visit this time is not only to discuss filming advertisements, but also for another matter. Does your company want to expand abroad?”
