A Comparative Analysis of the Female Protagonist’s Image in The Judge Goes to Pieces (1948) and Justice, My Foot!(1992) Adaptation of Shen Si Guan from a Social Gender Perspective

Abstract

This study compares the portrayal of Mrs. Sung in two Hong Kong comedy adaptations of Shen Si Guan: the 1948 version The Judge Goes To Pieces (starring Hung Sin-nui) and the 1992 version Justice, My Foot! (starring Anita Mui). Through a social gender theory framework, it examines three dimensions—capability empowerment, emotional expression, and family status—to trace shifting gender norms and power dynamics. The analysis reveals a paradox: while the 1992 version empowers Mrs. Sung’s martial prowess and overt emotion, it undermines her intellectually, upholding patriarchal compromise. Conversely, the 1948 version confines her to domesticity, mirroring the suppression of women’s autonomy in its era. Ultimately, the paper argues that these gendered portrayals are historically contingent constructs, highlighting the tensions between commercial film-making and progressive feminist discourse.