Agent 009 is staying at a "hotel" that was in reality the relatively newly built Clearwater Bay Apartments on Ka Shue Road. This development, consisting of four buildings (making up eight blocks) was built in 1963 and look to be still going strong. Just by looking at the slope in the background I can tell that the building used for the film was Block G and H - the furthest from Clearwater Bay Road.
The lowest image shows Margaret Tu Chuan (she was to tragically commit suicide a couple of years later) who plays the main female baddie, as she gets out of her car. In the background is Junk Bay when it was still filled with water rather than concrete and highrises.
6 comments:
Having been here some years ago, I recognized this location immediately as well, despite the I Chong Mansion lettering on the exterior wall. I cannot find any map with that name or any reference to it in an old book/directory. The lettering on the brick wall looked real, when Margaret Tu Chuan walked in.
This was the block that Sir Run Run lived and died in after his move from Island Road. He lived on the top floor, though I don't recall if the units were joined. The block is still going strong ... until it meets the wrecking ball. Entities related to Mona Fong bought all eight-units and applied for redevelopment. The article I read mentioned the applicant is now a Shaw-related trust/foundation. Only this building, GH Block, is being redeveloped and will be completed by the end of 2028. Demolition must be starting soon, if it hasn't already.
I have not found the Fu Sheng interview yet that can help identify his house, but might have found something better. If I locate it, I will add to the Clear Water Bay Road comment.
thanks Rodney, I didn't know that about Sir Run Run. I wonder how long he owned the place? It wouldn't surprise me if it was his from the start.
I think Sir Run Run owned at least one unit from the beginning. All the units in GH are shown as transacted in 2024 for the redevelopment. It seems the last remaining non-Shaw unit was transacted in 2015 and Mona Fong passed in 2017. I ran into her once at a hotel restaurant while I was living in Tseung Kwan O. She was very polite, though she had to wait for a table because the smug receptionist always fit in the regulars without reservations.
Where was that white, boxy house that appears a few seconds after Margaret took off her sunglasses? It looks familiar.
The white house would have been further east along Clearwater Bay Road, I think probably close to where the prison is now.
I rewatched the scenes a few times and can't decide if it was a set or a real flat.
The 009 unit seems to be on the 3rd floor with the railing on the balcony matching the exterior shots. When he and Lee Kwan run out, they use the backstairs in the kitchen, which the real units also have. By the way, this building has no elevator, so it is shocking that a real-life billionaire that owned many properties would live there after he was no longer mobile.
While Margaret is ringing the bell, it shows the flight of stairs behind her in the hallway and there are two other doors with what appear to name plaques on the wall. Those doors are where they should be in the current floor plan, all two-units per floor. 009's unit should not exist in any block. The stairs and hallway are seen again when Margaret's hit squad arrives.
I found and the Fu Sheng interview and believe I have located the house. Will check a couple things and add to the comment for the other location.
the quality of the film during the interior scenes makes me think it was a set. I'm not sure if they used different film for interior v exterior but I think they did. Just my guess anyway. Good news about the interview, I'm looking forward to this little snippet.
Post a Comment