Sunday, July 19, 2009

Dark HK: SEEDING OF A GHOST

Back in the early 90s I was a tape-trader and some of the films I had to get via tape trading were from that genre I like to call the "Dark and nasty horror movies from Hong Kong from the 1980s"! And one of the most legendary HK horror films among horror fans was... SEEDING OF A GHOST!!!

[VHS/Hongkong/fullscreen/in Cantonese/English subs]

(click scan for proper size!)

SEEDING OF A GHOST was never released on video neither in the UK nor the US, or anywhere else outside of Hong Kong (or Hongkong as they used to spell in back in the day in HK). Later it came out on HK VCD as well but it wasn't till quite recently that it was finally granted a DVD release. I'm not sure if there ever was a laserdisc release.

Anyway, the VHS soon disappeared and you had to resort to tape trading in order to get one. And getting a tape off an original tape was almost as difficult. Often you had to settle for foggy 3rd, 4th, or 5th generation dupes! Sometimes the colours kept disappearing. And you wonder why I spit in the face of fanboys who complain that perfect DVDs are "terrible" simply because they have something like one or two scratches to the print. :/ As far as I remember my VHS dupe of SEEDING was fairly alright, but when the DVD media became common and I got the chance of getting a DVD bootleg obviously I jumped at it right away headfirst. And now as I said there's a perfect DVD outta Hong Kong.

But enough of this baloney; The sole reason for this post is that after all this time I have finally got hold of the cover from that original legendary Ocean Shores VHS release!! No, I don't have the tape but my good mate Peter "Kothar" over at Cinehound has provided me with a scan. Thanks mate, I appreciate that!!!

SEEDING OF A GHOST was produced by Shaw Brothers and was originally meant to be the second sequel to BLACK MAGIC however SB decided otherwise. I believe it was due to the high level of gore and nudity in the film.

9 comments:

  1. Hey, Jack. My friend, John, at fareastflix has this from way back as well as the handful of Shaw LD's that came out back in the early 90's. I saw them during one of my visits, but don't remember which titles they were.

    I think this movie was way overhyped as when I bought the HK disc, I was terribly disappointed. I honestly couldn't see what all the fuss was about. The gore didn't really come until the last five minutes. The necrophilia was about the most nauseating thing in the flick.

    IMO, if any movie deserved to be BLACK MAGIC 3, it's BEWITCHED. That movie was more true to the series than SEEDING OF A GHOST, at least to me. Possibly a second viewing at some point will prove beneficial. I have the posters for both BEWITCHED and SEEDING. The former is totally wacky and OTT while the SEEDING is rather salacious featuring the rotting corpse as the main centerpiece and a sex scene from the movie.

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  2. How weird, I just got an email from John the other day because I wrote and asked which version it is that he's selling. Unfortunately, it seems someone in his family just passed away. I don't know him personally but I've bought a few films from him.

    Since you've read my post I'm sure you know I don't quite agree with you on SEEDING but that alright. To each their own. :-)

    Oh, and you have the posters for both?! Very cool!! I know a guy (Mads Jensen) who has the full lobby card set for BEWITHCED.

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  3. ...which version it is that he's selling OF 'HER VENGEANCE'!! Gee, I just missed half a sentence, haha.

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  4. Don't quote me, but I think it's the VCD version before it came out on DVD. Although I remember him telling me he had a prior release of it somewhere. He has loads of stuff and I mean hundreds upon hundreds of titles. And yes he did have a death in the family just a few days ago.

    Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy SEEDING OF A GHOST, it just wasn't the way people made it out to me that it was sex and gore from start to finish. There was more sex than anything else that I saw. However, seeing it again will probably change my opinion since the hype has died down now that it's out.

    I have the lobby sets for HEX, BLOODY PARROT and PORTRAIT IN CRYSTAL of shaw horror and horror/wuxia hybrids. Both HEX and BLOODY PARROT really push the sex and nudity aspect. Surely these films must have played only in adult theaters as some of the more salacious cards have pinholes in them and I can't imagine lobbies with big splashes of nudity would appear in a regular movie theater, lol.

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  5. Thanks, Brian. I have the new dvd/vcd version (yeah I bought both, LOL) that contain the toned down version but I haven't been able to find the gorier version of the film. :/

    Man, all those rad HK posters and lobbies you apparently have!! :-O

    If some of them can go in your scanner I would love to see them at some stage on your blog. ;-)

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  6. I have pics of most all of my posters taken with a camera. I did post images of some of my lobby sets at kung fu fandom such as TO KILL A MASTERMIND and GANGMASTER. It just takes too long to scan one half then the other, then try to seam the two pieces together. Here's a list of what I have. This should be everything. I'm splitting these up over several posts...

    CHANG CHEH

    BOXER FROM SHANTUNG
    SHAOLIN AVENGERS
    DELINQUENT, THE
    CHINATOWN KID, THE
    DISCIPLES OF SHAOLIN (2)
    PIRATE, THE
    HEROES TWO (Thai)
    NAVAL COMMANDOS
    BOXER REBELLION (Thai)
    MAN OF IRON (Thai)
    KING EAGLE
    FOUR RIDERS, THE (2)
    DELIGHTFUL FOREST
    HEAVEN & HELL
    NA CHA, THE GREAT
    IRON BODYGUARD
    MEN FROM THE MONASTERY
    MARCO POLO
    MARCO POLO (Thai)
    HEROIC ONES
    NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS
    BRAVE ARCHER, THE


    VENOMS

    DAREDEVILS, THE
    SHAOLIN RESCUERS
    SHAOLIN RESCUERS (Thai)
    MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS (3)
    LIFE GAMBLE (2; 1 signed by Lo Mang)
    TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (2; 1 signed by Lo Mang)
    BRAVE ARCHER & HIS MATE
    HOUSE OF TRAPS
    LEGEND OF THE FOX (2)
    WEIRD MAN, THE
    SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD
    REBEL INTRUDERS
    FLAG OF IRON
    MASKED AVENGERS
    TEN TIGERS OF KWANG TUNG
    INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (signed by Lo Mang)
    FIVE VENOMS (Thai; signed by Lo Mang)
    BRAVE ARCHER 3


    CHU YUAN

    FULL MOON SCIMITAR
    SWORDSMAN & ENCHANTRESS
    PERILS OF THE SENTIMENTAL SWORDSMAN
    ROVING SWORDSMAN
    JADE TIGER
    JADE TIGER (Thai)
    RETURN OF THE SENTIMENTAL SWORDSMAN (2)
    DUEL OF THE CENTURY
    DESCENDANT OF THE SUN
    HEROES SHED NO TEARS (Thai)
    PURSUIT OF VENGEANCE
    MURDER PLOT
    BAT WITHOUT WINGS
    ENCHANTRESS, THE
    LEGEND OF THE BAT
    CONVICT KILLER
    CONVICT KILLER (Thai)
    BLACK LIZARD
    SPIRIT OF THE SWORD
    HIDDEN POWER OF THE DRAGON SABRE
    MAGIC BLADE, THE


    SHAW HORROR

    GHOST STORY, THE
    CURSE OF EVIL
    BEWITCHED
    HUMAN LANTERNS
    SEEDING OF A GHOST
    HEX
    BOXER'S OMEN
    SEX BEYOND THE GRAVE

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  7. KUNG FU COMEDY SHAW'S

    YOUNG VAGABOND
    FAST FINGERS
    LOVER'S BLADES (2)
    CAT VS. RAT
    TREASURE HUNTERS
    CRAZY SHAOLIN DISCIPLES
    WITS OF THE BRATS


    MISCELLANEOUS KUNG FU MOVIES SHAW BROTHERS

    KING BOXER
    SHAOLIN HANDLOCK
    SHAOLIN ABBOT
    WHAT PRICE HONESTY (2)
    FLYING GUILLOTINE
    FLYING GUILLOTINE 2
    SOUL OF THE SWORD
    KID WITH A TATTOO
    LADY IS THE BOSS
    BLOODY ESCAPE, THE
    BASTARD SWORDSMAN
    FIVE SUPERFIGHTERS
    FIVE SUPERFIGHTERS (Thai)
    MERCENARIES FROM HONG KONG
    THUNDERCLAP
    TO KILL A MASTERMIND
    TO KILL A JAGUAR
    CASINO, THE
    QUEEN HUSTLER
    CLAN FEUDS (2)
    CLAN FEUDS (Thai)
    DEADLY SECRET, A
    DIRTY HO
    GHOST'S GALORE
    GANG MASTER
    MASTER, THE
    BLOODY PARROT, THE
    JUDGEMENT OF AN ASSASSIN
    KID FROM KWANG TUNG
    BATTLE FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA
    MASTER STRIKES BACK, THE
    LONG ROAD TO GALLANTRY
    EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN
    THIS MAN IS DANGEROUS
    GODFATHER'S FURY
    VENGEFUL BEAUTY
    MONKEY KUNG FU
    GODFATHER FROM CANTON
    HOLY FLAME OF THE MARTIAL WORLD
    8 DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER
    PORTRAIT IN CRYSTAL
    BLOOD MONEY
    RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH
    USURPERS OF EMPEROR'S POWER
    AMBITIOUS KUNG FU GIRL
    COBRA GIRL
    FOURTEEN AMAZONS
    MY REBELLIOUS SON
    OPIUM & THE KUNG FU MASTER
    NEW TALES OF THE FLYING FOX
    SUPREME SWORDSMAN


    INDY'S

    BIG BOSS OF SHANGHAI, THE
    FLASH LEGS
    CARRY ON WISEGUY
    ATTACK OF THE JOYFUL GODDESS
    72 DESPERATE REBELS
    LORD CHUANG, LI TZU CHENG
    SECRET MESSAGE, THE
    DREAM SWORD, THE
    CRANE FIGHTER, THE
    FISTS & GUTS
    DIRTY KUNG FU
    OF COOKS & KUNG FU
    THIRD SWORD, THE
    INVINCIBLE KUNG FU
    SHAOLIN DRUNK FIGHTER
    SIX HEROIC FIGURES
    JEET KUNE THE CLAWS & THE SUPREME KUNG FU
    ONE FOOT CRANE
    JADE HAIRPIN ALLIANCE
    SEVEN STEPS TO KUNG FU
    TIGER LOVE
    BONE CRUSHING KID
    YOUNG FLYING HERO
    SHAOLIN HEROES
    SHAOLIN INVINCIBLE GUYS
    SIX DIRECTIONS BOXING
    BLOODY MISSION
    BIG LAND FLYING EAGLE (2)


    COMEDY-DRAMA-THRILLER-EROTIC

    MR. FUNNY BONE
    LOVE MURDER
    CRAZY IMPOSTERS
    CRIMINALS, THE
    ASSAULT-CRIMINALS 4
    MURDERER PURSUES
    DANGER HAS TWO FACES (2 Styles)
    HAPPIEST MOMENT, THE
    PURSUIT OF A KILLER
    EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF
    NOTORIOUS FRAME UP
    WINNER TAKES ALL
    RAT CATCHER, THE
    THAT ROMANTIC SCHOLAR
    GAMBLER'S DELIGHT
    36 SECRETS OF COURTSHIP
    STORY OF TAXI DANCERS
    MAD, MAD '83
    LEGEND OF FENG SHUI
    TAKE CARE, YOUR MAJESTY!
    DOUBLE CROSS
    GREAT SURPRISE 1938, THE


    SHAW LOBBY CARD SETS--COLOR & B/W

    HEROIC ONES
    ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS
    LIFE GAMBLE
    EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN
    HEAVEN & HELL
    FOUR RIDERS
    BEWITCHED
    PORTRAIT IN CRYSTAL
    BLOODY PARROT
    EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF
    BIG BAD SIS
    SHAOLIN AVENGERS
    VENGEANCE!
    BOXER REBELLION
    WHAT PRICE HONESTY
    TO KILL A MASTERMIND
    THUNDERCLAP
    FINGER BAR (GIRLIE BAR)
    MAD MONKEY KUNG FU
    GANGMASTER
    GAMBLING SYNDICATE
    14 AMAZONS (B/W 16 card still set)
    OPIUM & THE KUNG FU MASTER
    OPIUM & THE KUNG FU MASTER (B/W)
    TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (B/w)
    TEN TIGERS OF KWANG TUNG (B/W; one card signed by Lo Mang)
    KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (B/W)
    PORTRAIT IN CRYSTAL (B/W; two cards)
    MY REBELLIOUS SON (B/W; bearing the title RAGING TIGER)
    SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD (B/W)
    DEADLY BREAKING SWORD (B/W)
    KID WITH A TATTOO
    KIDNAP
    VENGEFUL BEAUTY
    SUPREME SWORDSMAN
    USURPERS OF EMPEROR'S POWER
    BIG HOLD UP
    ENCHANTRESS
    DELIGHTFUL FOREST
    EMPEROR & HIS BROTHER
    LION VS. LION
    NOTORIOUS FRAME UP
    ODE TO GALLANTRY
    PIRATE
    PIRATE (B/W 16 card still set)
    KILLERS ON WHEELS
    CASINO
    HOMICIDES: CRIMINALS 2
    BROTHERS
    BROTHERHOOD
    GHOST STORY
    RETURN OF THE DEAD
    RETURN OF THE DEAD (B/W)
    WITS OF THE BRATS (B/W)
    DESCENDANT OF THE SUN (B/W)
    SHAOLIN HANDLOCK
    COBRA GIRL
    ANGRY GUEST
    NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS
    HONG KONG PLAYBOYS
    FAST FINGERS
    BLOODY ESCAPE
    SACRED KNIVES OF VENGEANCE (US set & Press Kit)

    Indy lobby sets

    OF COOKS & KUNG FU
    DRAGON & THE TIGER KIDS
    SECRET MESSAGE
    BIG BOSS OF SHANGHAI

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  8. My gawd! That's a very impressive collection you've got there!!

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  9. Thanks, Jack. The B/W sets I have scans for some of them. They fit easily onto the scanner. I can work them into the site either within an article, or just by themselves. I've been working on revising an old Chang Cheh article I wrote several years ago. I guess I could implement some of the venom stuff in there along with the screen caps.

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