Mr Raymond Chow

1927-2018

Film Entrepreneur

Born Chow Ting Hsing, film entrepreneur Raymond Chow was a graduate of the Journalism Department at Shanghai’s St John’s University. In 1948, he worked as a trainee journalist at Shun Pao Daily. A year later, he relocated to Hong Kong and landed a job as a reporter for The Hong Kong Standard. He joined Shaw Brothers in 1957 as a public relations manager, and was later promoted to vice general manager and manager of productions in 1964. In 1970, Chow struck out on his own and founded Golden Harvest, bringing with him Leonard Ho and Leung Fung. Besides founding his own cinemas and circuit in Hong Kong, he encouraged directors and actors to set up satellite companies and adopt a bonus system to promote independent productions. Bruce Lee’s Concord Production and Michael Hui’s Hui’s Film Production were such companies. The signing of Lee was a breakthrough for Golden Harvest. This, together with the recruitment of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Michael Hui enabled Hong Kong action movies and comedies to break into markets in the US, Europe and Japan. Chow made an immense contribution towards expanding the overseas distribution of Hong Kong films. He was named International Showman of the Year by the American National Association of Theatre Owners in 1980. In 2008, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards.