Prompted by the recent news of Chuck Norris' passing, long time supporter of the blog, AP, asked me if I had ever managed to locate the place where the neon sign backlit fight scene took place during Forced Vengeance. The scene is played over the opening credits but is also part of the main story later in the film as Josh (Norris) and his two female companions are desperately trying to escape the bad guys.
I must admit I hadn't actually given it any thought at the time (back in 2014 when I first covered the film, I just assumed it was a studio set up), but a brief look at the scene has made it quite clear to me that it was filmed on what is known locally as "Olympic Bridge" in Causeway Bay. The footbridge spans Irving Street and Leighton Road and has, on the face of each step, a Summer Olympic games location followed by the year it was held. If you want to know why this was done you can read this Govt press release from 2002.
Anyway back in 1981, we see Norris and co running down Yee Wo Street towards the bridge, and then, as they walk up the bridge they are obstructed by one of the bad guys and the following fight scene is silhouetted by the bright neon Vitasoy advert on the building behind.
The neon sign was hanging on the building that used to stand right on the corner where the Causeway Bay Tram terminus loops around. It looks like the sign covered the front of #90 Yee Wo Street which has long since been replaced by the Regal Hong Kong Hotel. I haven't been able to find any 80s era images of the Vitasoy signage, but earlier versions appear to have existed since (at least) the 1960s. You can see an earlier version on this Gwulo image - it's behind the tram on the left.
Anyway, RIP to Chuck Norris.
The bridge seen from Yee Wo Street
2 comments:
I probably walked up and down those steps nearly everyday when I was in Hong Kong way back in 2002. I had no clue Chuck had filmed on them. Not sure when I first saw ‘Forced Vengeance’ I didn’t realise Bruce and Chuck were born in the same year. Chuck always seemed old maybe it was all that hair 🤣
I haven't been down there for a few years, but last time I went the "olympic" stuff was all disintegrating. I note from maps that there is now a lift either side (Govt is building lifts on all pedestrian bridges as part of their inclusivity for wheelchait users). They should rename it the Chuck Norris bridge haha
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