THE BETTER HALVES
(synopsis)
Pai Mei-po (Lin En-chia) is so ugly that she is still unable to find a husband. Accompanied by her mother (Ma Shao-nung) and maid Hsiao-tsui (Chung Ching), she went to a temple to beg God’s help. Yao Ku-ying (Chang Hui-Hsien), the beautiful daughter of carpenter Yao (Lo Wei) was there too. Ku-ying met her old friend Hsiao-tsui, and was invited to visit her master’s house.
When it was learned that Chao Tung-sheng (Liang Sheng-po), son of a millionaire, was looking for a wife, match-maker Liu San-ku, (Wang Lai) was asked by Madam Pai to contact the Chao family. Liu lied to Madam Chao (Lo Pin) that Mei-po was a beauty. Mistaking Ku-ying for Mei-po, Madam Chao was pleased and immediately agreed to the proposed marriage.
Ku-ying already had a lover, Ka Fu (Tien Ching), whose family was unable to repay a huge debt to the Chaos. Ka Fu decided to work as a man-servant to make good the debt. Yao approved of his future son-in-law’s decision.
In the meantime, Mei-po created an uproar in her house when she learned that her fiance was not a handsome young man as she was told, but an ugly eccentric.
Almost at the same time, Tung-sheng also heard that Mei-po was far from a beautiful girl. To find out the truth, he pretended sick and asked Mei-po to pay him a comfort call.
However, it was not a suitable occasion for Mei-po to present herself at this moment. Yet it was impossible not to go. Hsiao-tsui came forward with a solution, though it was only a temporary one.
Plotted on by Hsiao-tsui, Ku-ying went to the Chao’s house disguising herself as Mei-po, with the real Mei-po as her maid. A similar trick was also played by the Chao family. The handsome man-servant took the young master’s place.
Ku-ying and Ka Fu confronted each other in a state of amazement and embarrassment. Tung-sheng and Mei-po were overjoyed at heart.
A wedding date was set, and the two impersonators again played their unpalatable part. When night came, Tung-sheng knocked slightly at the door of the bride’s room as a pre-arranged signal that he would replace Ka Fu. At this time, however, Mei-po also came to the scene to replace Ku-ying. In the darkness, the two bumped into each other. The pretence could no longer be concealed.
A fight ensued. The dispute was brought before the court presided over by the corrupt and incompetent magistrate (Yu Kuang-chao). Accepting bribes from both families, he ruled that he saw no other way but to allow the ugly pair and the beautiful pair to marry.
(END)