Philip Chan Yan-kin (Chinese: 陳欣健; born 25 January 1945) is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, music composer, and former police officer.
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Early years
Chan was born in British Hong Kong in 1945, the son of Cantonese parents from Taishan. He was educated at La Salle College, where he was the lead vocalist for the first all-Chinese college pop group, "The Astro-Notes" (named for the astronauts of the 1960s).
Law enforcement work
From 1965 to 1976, Chan was an officer in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, reaching the rank of Superintendent.
He displayed courage and leadership in solving several major crime cases in the British Colony, including the first-ever armed bank robbery in 1974 in which 11 hostages were held at ransom. He was nicknamed the "Singing Inspector" when he wrote the lyrics and went on TV to promote road safety for school children.
His most memorable moment as a police inspector was during a press conference with members of Hong Kong's press at the scene of the 1974 Po Sang Bank robbery, one of the biggest bank robbery cases up until then in the city's history.
Career
After retiring from the Police Force in 1976, Chan joined Bang Bang Films as a Producer. He simultaneously headed its Advertising Department, marketing the then very popular jeans and apparel brand name in Hong Kong.
That same year, he was invited by actress Josephine Siu (Siu Fong Fong) and director Pochi Leung to write a police screenplay involving heroin trafficking between Amsterdam and Hong Kong, "Jumping Ash". The upbeat detective movie was an instant box-office success in 1976, grossing one million dollars in three days and causing the young policeman to consider pursuing his greatest love of life, films, and music. He resigned from public service to head the film production and marketing department for Bang Bang Group, the most successful jeans company in Hong Kong. He also took the helm in producing two popular youth programs on Hong Kong Television Broadcasting Limited and the then Rediffusion Television, respectively, to promote Bang Bang Fashion. He became a renowned actor, scriptwriter, director, and producer, with 14 films under his direction from 1976 to 1990. He is the Honorable Lifetime Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Director's Guild and an Honorable Committee Member of the Hong Kong Performing Artists Guild. He was also one of the principal emcees in Hong Kong's leading television station, Hong Kong Television Broadcasting Limited (TVB) for over 15 years.
Intending to strengthen his skills in Management and Marketing, he spent less time in acting and producing and eventually became an executive working for several commercial conglomerates in Hong Kong:
1980s general manager, Capital Artist Company (華星娛樂唱片公司) – creating numerous hits and propelling a string of singers into superstardom, including Aaron Kwok (郭富城), Sammi Cheng (鄭秀文), Andy Hui (許志安), Edmond Leung (梁漢文) and Coco Lee (李玟).
1990s managing director, Metro Broadcasts Limited (香港新城電臺) – Hong Kong's youngest radio station, owned by business tycoon Li Ka Shing, was running at a loss for five consecutive years since it opened. During this time, he produced numerous stage award shows and events that gave Metro Broadcast success and increase in revenue.
Late 1990s until early 2000, chief operating officer, Star East Group (東方魅力集團) – a stars/celebrities owned company engaged in the running of themed restaurants (including the then very successful Planet Hollywood). Philip was involved in opening the Star East Entertainment complexes in Hong Kong and Guangzhou and was the driver of the franchised project in Chengdu. The Group has been sold to another listed company in 2002.
Filmography
Director
1979: The Servants 牆內牆外
1981: Charlie's Bubbles 文仔的肥皂泡
1984: The Return of Pom Pom 雙龍出海
1985: Night Caller 平安夜
1986: Chocolate Inspector 神探朱古力
1986: Tongs, a Chinatown story 堂口故事
1986: Inspector Tuber 霹靂大喇叭
1986: From Here to Prosperity 奪寶計上計
1989: Carry On Yakuza 黑道福星
1989: Mr Sunshine 開心巨無霸
1990: Front Page 新半斤八兩
Producer or Production Adviser
1977: Foxbat 狐蝠
1978: The Extras 茄哩啡
1979: Cops and Robbers 點指兵兵
1980: Encore 喝采
1985: Mr Boo Meets Pom Pom 智勇三寶
1989: Path of Glory 沖天小子
2002: Nine Girls and a Ghost 九個女仔一隻鬼
2003: Cross Marriages in China 外地媳婦本地郎
2006: Hone Run 回家的路
2006: The Fantastic Water Babes 出水芙蓉
2011: 33 Postcards 幸福卡片
2014: The Tiger and I (in pre-production)
Scriptwriter
1975: Jumping Ash 跳灰
1977: Foxbat 狐蝠
1978: The Extras 茄哩啡
1979: Cops and Robers 點指兵兵
1981: Charlie's Bubbles 文仔的肥皂泡
1981: Krazy Kops 撞板神探電子龜
1984: Long Arm of the Law 省港旗兵
1986: Long Arm of the Law II 省港旗兵 II
1985: Night Caller 平安夜
1986: Chocolate Inspector 神探朱古力
1988: Edge of Darkness 陷阱邊沿
1989: Carry On Yakuzas 黑道福星
1989: Mr Sunshine 開心巨無霸
1989: Path of Glory 沖天小子
1990: Front Page 新半斤八兩
2014: The Tiger and I (in pre-production)