Though western viewers primarily only know the Shaw Brothers studio for their kung fu and action films, they produced movies in every genre, including drama, comedy, musical, and, evidenced by this enjoyable slice of 1970's sleaze, exploitation. The Kiss of Death doesn't go as far in the "naughty" bits department as many of its' modern counterparts, but fans of the genre will still find this to be a bloody good time.

Chen Ping plays Ling, a factory worker who is gang-raped by a group of men (led by long-time Shaw Brothers heavy Hui Siu-Hung) and contracts a deadly form of VD. Too embarrassed to tell her friends and family, Ling quits her job and begins working as a nightclub hostess. Eventually, the kindly manager of the club, Wong (Lo Lieh), finds out about Ling's story and decides to teach her kung fu so that revenge can be taken.

Interestingly, this was Chen Ping's first starring role, and unlike most Hong Kong actresses both past and present who show a lot of skin, the salacious nature of The Kiss of Death didn't seem to keep her from getting work, as she went on to act in dozens of productions over the next decade. Based on her performance here, you can see why. Even though, like many pictures of the time, the nature of the acting can be melodramatic at times, Chen does a wonderful job into making Ling into a real character, which goes a long way toward making The Kiss of Death a more believable and viable film.

But don't get me wrong -- in no way is The Kiss of Death any sort of serious drama. From the funky soundtrack to garish outfits, this is pure hot melty cheese all the way. Not to mention that the "kiss of death" is apparently a good swift kick to the nuts, because that's how Ling deals with her enemies. Using implements such as pick-axes, medical instruments, and razor-embedded playing cards, Ling is a machine of death whose target is men's nether-regions. If that sentence appeals to you at all, then The Kiss of Death is right up your alley.

RATING: 7