陈玉梅 (电影演员)

简介

Chen Yumei was a Chinese film actress and singer, born in 1910 in Jiangsu Province under the name Fei Mengmin. She began her career at age thirteen with a minor role in the film "Pine and Cypress Affinity" produced by the Commercial Press Motion Picture Department. At fifteen, she joined the comedy training school run by Shao Zuiweng, and in 1926 entered the newly founded Tianyi Film Company, where she was cast as the female lead in "Tang Bohu Diao Qiuxiang". After actress Hu Die left for a rival company in 1928, Chen Yumei became the leading actress at Tianyi and starred in over thirty films. Her most notable works include "Miss Yunlan" (1932), "Vitality" and "Struggle" (1933); she considered "Vitality" her finest film, though it was banned by the Shanghai Municipal Council. She also performed theme songs from her films and had commercial recordings with the Baidai Company. Chen Yumei was known for promoting frugality, earning her the nickname "Frugal Star", and she always wore simple clothing at public events. In 1933, she placed second in the first "Movie Queen" election organized by a major newspaper. In 1934, she won the "Movie Queen" title in the second election, though allegations arose that her future husband Shao Zuiweng had rigged the vote. Shortly after winning the title, she married Shao Zuiweng, the owner of Tianyi Film Company, and retired from acting in 1934, moving with him to Hong Kong where he established a new film company. She remained out of the public eye after her retirement and passed away in 1985.