Benson Fong, born in 1916 in Sacramento, California, was a Chinese-American character actor whose career spanned several decades. He appeared in Women in the Night (1948), where he contributed to the film's exploration of post-war themes, and later in Five Gates to Hell (1959), a gritty tale of survival and conflict. Fong's roles often reflected the complexities of his cultural background, making him a significant figure in the landscape of exploitation cinema. His work in these films helps to illuminate the diverse narratives found within the genre.
Five Gates to Hell
Guerrilla forces overtake a field hospital in French Indochina, kidnapping doctors Richter (Ken Scott) and Minelle (John Morley), as well as several nurses. Leading the captives into the jungle, guerrilla Chen Pamok (Neville Brand) forces the doctors to operate on elderly warlord Gung Sa (Benson Fong) and enslaves the women. After a firefight, nurses Athena Roberts (Dolores Michaels) and Joy Brooks (Patricia Owens) and nun Maria Phillips (Shirley Knight) try to lead the survivors to safety. This movie is badass, and a must-see for fans of Jack Hill's Women in Prison films! This film must've been highly influential in the making of The Big Bird Cage, and The Big Doll House. Recommended to exploitation fans - WIP fans especially.
