Hong Kong Wax Museum versus Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (1970s)
Channel: Bosham
Date: 2013-08-09

Both English and Chinese subtitles are available, please select your own preference.

(1) "Confucius and his distinguished disciple Mr. Tzu Lu" in Hong Kong Wax Museum (香港蠟像院);

(2)  Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院)'s advertisement in summer;

(3) Chinese general with Snow White's 7 dwarfs in Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院);

(4) Ms. Vivian Sun (孫惠文) made wax statue;

(5) Ms. Vivian Sun (孫惠文) led 2 guys to make wax statues;

(6) "Ms. Mona Lisa and a prostitute from Shek Tong Tsui brothel" in Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院);

(7) "Ms. Mona Lisa and a rickshaw puller" in Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院).

hkgalbert went to the Victoria Peak (altitude: 552 m) this morning (9th August, 2013, Friday), visited Madame Tussaud's Hong Kong too. hkgalbert remember that wax museums were so popular in 1970s.

hkgalbert remember that Hong Kong first wax museum, should be Hong Kong Wax Museum (香港蠟像院, 21st August, 1970 to  ), located on first floor in Asian House (熙信樓), at 1 Hennessy Road (軒尼詩道), cross between Queensway and Queen's Road East (大佛口), Wan Chai (灣仔), Hong Kong Island （香港島）, Mr. Chow On Man (周安民) was its manager, he said they want to promote Chinese culture, let aliens to understand China; and give more chances to contact Chinese arts for young generations. Hong Kong Wax Museum (香港蠟像院) was opened on 21st August, 1970, Friday, admission fee was HK$ 2; children just need HK$ 1. Visitors were prohibited to take photographs, but they can buy official colour postcards. It had 36 sets of wax statues, however, due to the size of display room, they just show 16 sets, theme was based on Chinese heroes, customs and folk tales. hkgalbert had been here on 21st August, 1970, Friday, those 16 sets of wax statues: (1) an ancient lady plays zither; (2) Confucius and his distinguished disciple Mr. Tzu Lu; (3) Mr. Li Pai, an acclaimed poet in Tang dynasty; (4) Genghis Khan; (5) General Yueh Fei of Sung dynasty; (6) knocking drums; (7) Kuang-hsu Emperor and witch Empress Dowager Tzu-his; (8) ancient tortures; (9) wedding in Republic of China; (10) Japan Samurai and Geisha; (11) Butterfly Lovers - Mr. Liang Shan Pa and Ms. Chu Ying Tai; (12) murderer Mr. Au-yeung Ping Keung used a carton box to carry body; (13) Ms. Suzie Wong, a prostitute in Wan Chai brothel; (14) divine through a word; (15) Ms. Warunee Sangsirinavin  (วารุณี แสงศิรินาวิน), Miss Thailand 1969; (16) Ms. Lai Yuen Ling, a TV actress of Rediffusion (Hong Kong).

However, just one week later, another "Madam Vivian's Wax Museum" (惠文蠟像院, 28th August, 1970 to 27th February, 1977) was erected in Kowloon peninsula, their admission fee was same, Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院) started from 12:00 noon on  28th August, 1970, Friday, located on fourth floor in Star House (星光行), Tsim Sha Tsui (尖沙嘴), Kowloon (九龍), it was controlled by a woman Ms. Vivian Sun (孫惠文), it was a strong competitor against Hong Kong Wax Museum (香港蠟像院), because both wax statues sizes and show room size were much bigger. Hong Kong just had 4 million population in 1970s. How can contain 2 wax museums? Hong Kong Wax Museum (香港蠟像院) was rapidly eliminated at the last!

On 26th September, 1970, Saturday, a bad guy mixed with the visitors, and hid into a  storeroom until 10:15 p.m., Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院) was closed, staff left, that wicked thief broke office's drawers, stole HK$ 2,995, 13 U.S. dollars and 5 Singapore dollars. At 7:45 a.m. on 27th September, 1970, Sunday, Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院) opened, staff found such criminal event! Madam Vivian's Wax Museum (惠文蠟像院) was also closed at the last! It closed on 26th February, 1977, Saturday, it was the end of dragon year, it can not go through to snake year! Some wax statues were transferred to Wax Museum @ 56 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia.