Weng Weng
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Weng Weng (September 7, 1957 — August 29, 1992) was a Filipino actor and martial artist. He was born in Baclaran, in what is now Parañaque City.[1] Only 2 foot, 9 inches (83 cm) tall, he is listed in the Guinness World Records as the shortest adult actor in a leading role.[2] He played Secret Agent 00 in For Y’ur Height Only [3], The Impossible Kid [4][5][6] and "D’Wild Wild Weng".
In For Y’ur Height Only, the brilliant scientist Dr. Kohler is kidnapped by an evil organization headed by "Mr Giant". The forces of good call on Secret Agent 00 to rescue him, and 00 does so by using a combination of kicking people in the knees or the genitals, shooting with remarkable accuracy, and sliding across the floor firing his pistol as he goes. The film ends with Agent 00 locating the secret island Mr. Giant uses for a hideout, dispensing with the red beret wearing guards, and meting out his special form of justice.
In The Impossible Kid, Weng Weng is now working for the Manila branch of Interpol. The Chief sends him in the pursuit of Mr X, an arch villain with a white sock on his head, who is holding the Philippines to ransom. Two businessmen, Maolo and Simeon, pay the demands but Weng Weng suspects foul play and goes deep undercover to reveal the identity of Mr X.
In D'Wild Wild Weng, Weng Weng and sidekick Gordon (Max ZUMA Laurel) are sent to the countryside to investigate the murder of Santa Monica’s mayor. The town is now overrun by the corrupt governor Sebastian (played by Romy Diaz) and his army of banditos, all dressed up to look like Mexican revolutionaries. The ending has Weng cranking a Gatling gun - on the back of a jeep - mowing down wave after wave of sombreros, while a tribe of dwarf Indians launch a counterattack with bows and arrows.
D’Wild Wild Weng shares much of the cast from both For Y’ur Height Only, and The Impossible Kid: Yehlen Catral (Lola in For Y’ur Height Only) plays Elsa the barmaid, Max (For Y’ur Height Only’s tartan-clad villain in shades and cloth cap) Alvarado takes a turn at playing a sympathetic character as the mute Lupo, and Nina Sara (later in The Impossible Kid) is Weng’s love interest Clara.
Weng Weng had an active film career in the 1970s and the 1980s, but had not had a major acting role for several years prior to his death in 1992 due to a heart attack (aged 34). [7]
Weng Weng's online recognition grew in April 2007 with the release of the Weng Weng Rap video by The Chuds and John R of R Room. This was eventually picked up by Australian music forum Fasterlouder.com.au, becoming making Weng Weng a popular meme amongst members.
[edit] External links
- Mini-site dedicated to Weng Weng. Nanarland. (French)
- Video at YouTube. Weng Weng tribute rap by The Chuds and R Room.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Weng Weng at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "Editorial", Manila Standard Today, February 10, 2006.
- ^ Synopsis of For Y’ur Height Only. Bad Movies.
- ^ Kehr, Dave. "Hailing the DVD Distributors: The Best Vault Raiders of 2005", New York Times, December 30, 2005.
- ^ Review of For Y’ur Height Only. Monsters at Play.
- ^ It Came From The Rental Store - For Y’ur Height Only. Poptique.
- ^ IMDB Weng Weng Biography.
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