How the Hui Brothers, Hong Kong comedy giants in the 1970s, kept the laughs going later
But Michael, helped by Ricky, continued to make hilarious films throughout the 1980s and beyond. Here we look at three of his best as a comedy actor and co-screenwriter.
1. Inspector Chocolate (1986)
A return to form for
Michael Hui after a fallow period, this humorous detective film was directed by Philip Chan Yan-kin, a former real-life policeman who made his name in the film industry as an actor, writer and director.
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'Magic is in the air when the cop meets the comedian,' noted the Hong Kong Film Archive. 'Chocolate Inspector is a special confluence of divergent talents, where Michael Hui's little-man shtick is informed by Philip Chan's tough-guy disposition. Chan, by 1986 a seasoned filmmaker, captures Hui's iconic wit with precise timing and assured mise-en-scène.'
The titular character, so named because he likes to eat chocolate Smarties, is often described as bumbling, but he is not an Inspector Clouseau type – he's just an average policeman trying to do his best.
This time around, the humour takes more from Woody Allen than Charlie Chaplin or Mel Brooks. Michael's delirious slapstick is still present, but it is integrated into the drama, and the crime story takes precedence over the jokes.
Sandra Lang (left) and Michael Hui in a still from Inspector Chocolate (1986). Photo: Fortune Star Media
Aided by Ricky Hui's character, Inspector Chocolate is tasked with finding the kidnapped son of a famous TV chef but discovers that he is out of his depth.
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