The Venom Mob is the colloquial title of a group of actors from the Shaw Brothers Studio, popular creators of martial arts films in the 1970s and 1980s. Most were friends since childhood and attended the Peking Opera School in Taiwan before meeting director Chang Cheh and moving on to the Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong.
They appeared in numerous Shaw films, but did not become a group in high demand until Five Deadly Venoms. They were the main choreographers in all of their films, highly skilled Chinese weapon experts, talented actors, and excellent acrobats. Their films usually dealt with Chang Cheh's common themes of brotherhood, valor, and betrayal.
As with most groups, time saw their talents being pulled in different directions, not to mention in-fighting for starring roles and production credits.
This is the main 5 (though there are six, Chiang Sheng is actually the 5th member of the Venoms, not Wei Pai who only appeared in 4 films with the others).
Those listed (males) usually were the supporting villains with Lu Feng, if Lu Feng had a rare hero role the lead villain was usually either Wang Lung-Wei or Wang Li. Lung Tung-Sheng was usually a questionable character in a film who ended up siding with the hero's in the end. Females listed were usually "eye-candy" and got little fighting time in Venom films.
Wang Lung Wei- The villain in several early Venom films. Made his debut in Chang Cheh's Shaolin Martial-Arts filmed in Taiwan during 1974.
Wang Li - Appeared in later Venom films replacing the absent Wei Pai, usually as a villain, and great with weapons. Wang Li was also recruited in Taiwan and appeared in bit parts in New Shaolin Boxers and The Chinatown Kid before his official debut in Shaolin Rescuers. Best known as Chief #3 in Masked Avengers and a Wudang Master in 2 Champions of Shaolin
Sun Shu-Pei - Usually a villain with minimal Kung-Fu skills, but very conniving and sneaky. Only heroic role was as "Long Axe" in the Kid With The Golden Arms.
Yang Hsiung - Better known as 'Brass Head' in Kid with the Golden Arms. Appeared throughout Chang Cheh's Venom cycle of films in various heroic and villainous roles.
Lau Shi Kwong - The cowardly type, best known as the snitch Wong Fa in Five Deadly Venoms and as "The Dangerous Kid" in The Flag Of Iron. He also played the henchman known as "Leopard Boy," in Shaolin Rescuers as well as one of the seven Shaolin pupils in Two Champions Of Shaolin.
Cheng Tien-Chi - Another master of Peking Opera, Cheng made his debut in The Brave Archer Part 3 followed by House Of Traps and Ode To Gallantry, and would later take the lead roles in Five Element Ninja, The Weird Man and The 9 Demons.
Chu Ko - Also debut in Brave Archer Part 3 and continued into the 80s replacing Sun Chien, usually as an insidious villain. Would later achieve heroic status in later films Five Element Ninja and The Weird Man
Lung Tien-Sheng - Best known as "The Spearman" from Flag of Iron, usually a misguided anti-hero.
Wen Hsueh-Erh - Lead female in Sword Stained With Royal Blood, Ode To Gallantry, Two Champions Of Shaolin, as well as The Brave Archer And His Mate. Excels at playing spoiled brat roles.
Yu Tai Ping – The lead henchman in earlier Venom films, would later switch sides during 1981's The Flag Of Iron (literally) as his appearances afterwards were usually of the second-tier heroic nature in the films Masked Avengers and The Weird Man. He was one of the lead 'Super Ninjas' in Chang Cheh's gore-filled opus Five Element Ninja alongside Cheng Tien-Chi, Wang Li and Chu Ko.
Tony Tam Jan Dung - A henchman and usually partnered with Yu Tai Ping, Yang Hsuing or Lau Shi Kwong and serves as under Lu Feng's character. He was usually seen as a character in background before becoming a top henchman in Crippled Avengers. He is best known as "Tiger Boy" in Shaolin Rescuers and one of the seven Shaolin pupils in Two Champions of Shaolin. Just like the venoms' Sun Chien, he also uses Tae Kwon Do and was known for his kicking ability.
Shirley Yu - One of Shaw's leading ladies, appeared alongside the Venoms Mob in Chang Cheh's The Chinatown Kid, Life Gamble, and The Brave Archer Part 2.
Pan Ping-Chang – Usually the lead female in Venom films. After a cameo appearance in Crippled Avengers, she went on to co-star as Swordswoman Leng in Kid With The Golden Arm, and portrayed Kuo's wife in Legend Of The Fox.
Chin Siu-Ho - First appeared in small role in Rebel Intruders prior to making his official credited debut in Two Champions of Shaolin. Proceeded to co-star in 10 Tigers Of Kwangtung, Legend of a Fox and Masked Avengers among others, in addition to films for other directors at Shaws after Chang Cheh's cohorts disbanded.
Original Hong Kong movie titles, followed by original Hong Kong release date (where available) and alias titles also known as.
Shaolin Temple (Shaw Brothers; 12/22/76) a.k.a. Death Chamber
The Naval Commandos (Shaw Brothers; 4/7/77)
Brave Archer (Shaw Brothers; 7/30/77) a.k.a. Kung-Fu Warlords
Chinatown Kid (Shaw Brothers; 12/2/77)
Brave Archer Part 2 (Shaw Brothers; 5/13/78) a.k.a. Kung-Fu Warlords Part II
Five Venoms (Shaw Brothers; 8/12/78) a.k.a. The 5 Deadly Venoms, a.k.a. Shaolin Deadly Poisons
Invincible Shaolin (Shaw Brothers; 11/19/78) a.k.a. Unbeatable Dragon, a.k.a. Shaolin Bloodshed
Crippled Avengers (Shaw Brothers; 12/21/78) a.k.a. Mortal Combat a.k.a. Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms
Life Gamble (Shaw Brothers; 2/22/79)
Shaolin Rescuers (Shaw Brothers; 3/23/79) a.k.a. Avenging Warriors Of Shaolin
Shaolin Daredevils (Shaw Brothers; 6/29/79) a.k.a. The Daredevils Of Kung Fu
Magnificent Ruffians (Shaw Brothers; 9/20/79) a.k.a. The Destroyers
Kid With The Golden Arm (Shaw Brothers; 11/2/79)
Heaven and Hell (Shaw Brothers; 1/19/80) a.k.a. Shaolin Hell Gate
Two Champions of Shaolin (Shaw Brothers; 4/12/80) a.k.a. 2 Champions Of Death
Flag Of Iron (Shaw Brothers; 8/14/80) a.k.a. Spearman Of Death
Rebel Intruders (Shaw Brothers; 9/10/80) a.k.a. Killer Army, a.k.a. The Guerillas
Legend Of A Fox (Shaw Brothers; 12/15/80)
10 Tigers Of Kwangtung (Shaw Brothers; 12/20/80)
Masked Avengers (Shaw Brothers; 5/15/81)
Sword Stained With Royal Blood (Shaw) (Shaw Brothers; 3/6/81)
Brave Archer Part 3 (Shaw Brothers; 11/12/81) a.k.a. Blast Of The Iron Palm
House Of Traps (Shaw Brothers; 1/9/82)
Brave Archer And His Mate (Shaw Brothers; 2/25/82) a.k.a. Mysterious Island
Clan Feuds (Shaw Brothers; 2/19/82)
Ode to Gallantry (Shaw Brothers; 12/16/82)
Five Element Ninjas (Shaw Brothers; 4/21/82) a.k.a. Super Ninjas
The Weird Man (Shaw Brothers; 5/5/83)
Ruthless Tactics (Yu Fung Film Company; 1983) a.k.a. Ninja In The Deadly Trap
The Nine Demons (Chang He Motion Picture Company Ltd; 1983)
Shanghai 13 (Winners' Workshop Production Company Ltd; 1984)
