Ghost comedies were all the rage in Hong Kong in the 1980s and this is a typical example of them. The film was produced by Sammo Hung and stars Lam Ching Ying in a role which helped pave the way for his appearance as the Taoist priest in MR VAMPIRE which would, of course, go on to become his most iconic. Here he's the leader of a troupe of travelling actors whose lives are imperilled when they stumble upon some restless spirits. The first half of the film is made up of the practical humour-infused jokery that fills many a similar martial arts film, but in the second half the supernatural takes over and things become more explosive and more entertaining. The film borrows music from the likes of SUSPIRIA (and, randomly, CATS) and at its climax features a whole host of wild stunts and mayhem, although it may take a little too long to get there for some viewers.
Review of Hocus Pocus
