More Than Kung Fu

One look at the costumes reveals everything you need to know about this film. See-through harem outfits, gold lamé capes and tuxedos galore. The trappings of the stylish spy film are obvious from the first frame.

But Summons To Death‘s hero, Tang Lui “The Owl” (Tang Ching), isn’t a spy. He’s a crook. And, judging by his super-deluxe bachelor pad, complete with circular bed and a robot to massage him during his steam baths, he’s successful at his job.

Set in the modern day, Summons To Death nonetheless springs from the same story used by a majority of historical wuxia novels and movies—A mostly honorable criminal becomes embroiled in and defeats a illicit scheme that offends the rules of the villainous underground. Summons To Death simply takes the stock plot, sets it in the present and mixes in the swank accouterments of a James Bond film.

The unsavory conspiracy that Tang must stop features pirates (real pirates, wearing jaunty headbands and flying a yellow Jolly Rodger while sailing and plundering the Hong Kong bay), a hidden treasure and the parts of a treasure map that change hands innumerable times.

Tang, who is entangled in the plot by accident, comes to the aid of Gin Mei Li (Tina Chin Fei), long-lost sister of the head pirate, to protect her from the unscrupulous Ying Nian (Fanny Fan) and her assistant Kwok (Wang Hsieh). No one ever asks why pirates are sailing around Hong Kong or why they couldn’t just store their treasure in a safety deposit box like everyone else.

Obviously, those expecting any logic in Summons will be disappointed quickly. The story exists only to move its characters from one dangerous situation, and one bizarre outfit, to another. The sartorial excesses of Summons To Death quickly assume center stage, and must be seen to be believed.

Here’s Fanny Fan modeling the latest in I Dream Of Jeannie fashion, complete with a head turban that ties into a tube top.

And here’s Fanny Fan’s first boyfriend, fresh from plundering the gold lamé store.

When Gin Mei Li needs to go on a night time raid, she picks the latest ninja apparel, perfect for camouflaging yourself as a burnt christmas tree. This furred hood/cape/hoop skirt combo easily wins the weirdest outfit award. Also note her high-heeled boots. Gin Mei Li is never without her heels, even when she goes spelunking in the film’s finale.

While I’m sure that, forty years from now, critics will mock the costumes chosen for today’s movies, I doubt that any of them will find apparel as strange as the Gin Mei Li’s christmas tree hood.

The key for enjoying Summons To Death is the same as it is for any Bond film, turn off your brain and enjoy the scenery. Summons never makes any sense, but its constant inventiveness at least keeps it fun.

Summons To Death
Dir: Lo Wei
Released: November 23, 1967