Hennessy in Shanghai and Hong Kong…

Posted: September 7th, 2021 | No Comments »

Along with Johnnie Walker whisky French cognac brand Hennessy was one of the most widely distributed and noted foreign alcohol brands in old Shanghai. See their 1930s advert below. But I was intrigued to see that post-war it was also a highly recognisable brand in Hong Kong, as seen here in this 1960 movie about alcolohlism (that, incidentally, shows how the styles of pre-war Shanghai lingered and lingered a la In the Mood for Love)…More after the 1930s Shanghai ad…

Death Traps (Sha ji chong chong) is a 1960 Hong Kong movie directed by Wong Tim-lam, written by Chang Cheh and starring (Helen) Li Mei, a Chinese actress who moved to Hong Kong in 1949 (for obvious reasons). The movie’s rather convulted plot is that Li Mei is an alcoholic (albeit a rather well dressed and presented one) who hire a mafia boss to kill her. Anyway, here’s the look and the Hennessy (perhaps nowadays not their preferred product placement!)…

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