As the most famous crosstalk artist in China in the 20th century, his social status has continued to improve, and his influence at home and abroad has continued to expand, but he has never looked down upon others because of his status changes. He maintained close contact with the people throughout his life and had friends from all walks of life and from many walks of life. He claimed to be the "servant" of the audience and always regarded the audience as benefactors, parents and teachers.
Hou Baolin is revered as a pioneering master in the crosstalk world and is known as a master of language. During his long 60-year artistic career, he devoted himself to researching and developing the art of cross talk, bringing laughter to the audience. A group of crosstalk artists represented by him have brought this art into thousands of households and reached an eye-catching artistic peak. He devoted his whole life to the cause of cross talk. In addition to creating and performing a large number of popular cross talk phrases, he also conducted theoretical research on the origins, laws and artistic techniques of cross talk and folk art. He also pays attention to cultivating the younger generation, and some famous figures active in the cross talk stage are his students. During his lifetime, he served as a member of the 3rd National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a representative of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th National People's Congress, as the artistic director of the China Broadcasting Art Troupe and a part-time professor at Peking University.
Died due to illness on February 4, 1993. Before his death, he dictated his "last words": "I, Hou Baolin, have spoken and studied cross talk all my life. My greatest wish is to dedicate the best art to the audience. The audience is my benefactor, my parents, and my teacher." . I always feel that even if I talk about cross talk for several decades, I can’t repay the audience who support me, love me and help me. Now I can’t fulfill this wish. I sincerely hope that the cross talk that I love and regard as my life will be carried forward, and I hope there will be more. Hou Baolin brings more joy to the people. I have brought laughter to the audience all my life. If one day I have to say goodbye to the audience, I will leave with a smile. I wish everyone all the best and good luck in making money." Forever in music circles.
Hou Baolin only attended elementary school for three years. Because of his diligence and studious, he finally became a famous cross talk artist. Once, he wanted to buy a Ming Dynasty joke book "Jian Lang", but he went to all the used bookstalls in Beijing and failed to do so. Later, he learned that the Beijing Library had this book. It was winter, and he braved the wind and snow and ran to the library to copy books for eighteen consecutive days. A book of more than 100,000 words was finally copied by him.
Dedicate the best art to the audience
Lived in the Weaving and Dyeing Bureau in Di'anmen, No. 32 Longtoujing, and later moved to Yangjiao Hutong, Dongmeichang Hutong, Shang Qin Hutong, No. 2 Ouya Hutong, Biandan Hutong, No. 19 Fushouli,
The side gate of No. 6 Nanqianchuan Hutong, it was not until December 1983 that he moved to Muxidi outside Fuxingmen...
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Jia Zhenliang, the eldest disciple of Mr. Hou Baolin, was very excited when he returned to his former residence in Dongsi Toutiao: "Master moved here in 1987, and Yaohua and I lived here together until he fell ill and was hospitalized. So many years "This is the second time I've come back." Mr. Jia Zhenliang recalled that one summer, a corner of the roof of Hou Baolin's bedroom suddenly collapsed. Hearing the noise, Jia Zhenliang came out and saw Hou Baolin standing at the door, covered in dirt. With such a bed, he had to take a bath in the yard, put it away, make the bed and sleep." Hou Baolin's eldest son, Hou Yaozhong, who rarely appeared in public, also recalled that he and his father often made snacks and soaked in the yard. Steamed buns and fried belly are my father’s favorite foods, and the aroma from the courtyard can always reach the entrance of the alley.
When Hou Baolin was 15 years old, he joined a troupe to sing Peking Opera at a street stall in front of Shiji Teahouse in Gulou Market. At the same time, he listened to and learned crosstalk at the crosstalk venue in Gulou Market, and learned from crosstalk actors Chang Baochen, Nie Wenzhi, Zheng Xiangtai, and Wang Shichen. , Zhang Zhaoxin, Zhang Shuyuan and others studied. One time, there was only one crosstalk actor in the venue and there was a lack of matching actors. Hou Baolin said, "Let me help you!" That's how Hou Baolin came on stage for the first time and talked about crosstalk. The joke he told at that time was called "Miscellaneous Studies" , which later became "Miscellaneous Talks on Drama". Because Hou Baolin had studied Peking Opera, the jokes were delivered perfectly. After that, he began to talk crosstalk in Gulou Market and stayed overnight at Shiji Teahouse.
When Hou Baolin was 21 years old, he officially became Zhu Kuoquan’s disciple. After becoming a disciple, he went to perform at the North Field of Xidan Shopping Mall, a formal cross talk venue. On January 19, 1950, Hou Baolin and others initiated the establishment of the Beijing Crosstalk Improvement Group to improve crosstalk and develop the art of crosstalk.
The "One Household Hou" who only cares about his family
Hou Baolin did not have a nickname when he was young, and only had a nickname of "Xiao You'er". Until he entered the cross talk school, his master Zhu Kuoquan gave him He gave it the character "宝" and named it "Baolin". Later he changed "Lin" to "Lin".
Zhu Kuoquan, nicknamed Big Bread, was one of the famous "Five Crosstalk Masters" (Gao Deming, Zhang Jieyao, Zhu Kuoquan, Xu Degui, Tang Jincheng) in Beijing in the 1930s. At that time, they were in Xidan The crosstalk studio is famous for its work in the capital.
In the early summer of 1933, Peking Opera master Zhou Xinfang came to Beijing to perform at Guangde Tower. He performed his famous plays "Xiao He Chasing Han Xin Under the Moon" and "Xu Ce Running for the City", which caused a sensation in the capital. Tickets are sold out in advance. Zhou Xinfang's stage name was Qilin Tong, and he was already very popular at that time. Zhu Kuoquan went to Guangde Building to meet Zhou Xinfang. On the one hand, he made friends with the master, and on the other hand, he watched the master's performances and learned the Peking Opera style to enrich his cross talk career.
On this day, Zhu Kuoquan hurried to Guangde Tower. Unexpectedly, he was blocked by the concierge because he did not buy a ticket. Although Zhu Kuoquan explained and explained, it was of no avail. The concierge said: "This is the rule set by 'Boss Qi'. Please forgive me, sir." Zhu Kuoquan said: "I am Zhu Kuoquan, a friend of Boss Qi." The concierge said: "Well, please wait a moment, Mr. Zhu, and I will report to Boss Qi." After that, he hurried to the backstage and informed Zhou Xinfang. Zhou Xinfang thought for a while and said: "In Peking, I didn't call Zhu Kuoquan's friend?" The concierge said, "Mr. Zhu is fat..." Zhou Xinfang said, "I don't dare to recognize you. Please go back." The concierge returned to the door and said to Zhu Kuoquan, "Boss Qi doesn't know you. I don't know you." Friend, please come back." Zhu Kuoquan was dumbfounded when he heard this, and said in his heart: Zhou Xinfang is so arrogant, so he begged the concierge to report it to Boss Qi again. Unexpectedly, the concierge got angry when he heard this: "No matter what, Boss Qi doesn't know you, so you might as well spend money to buy tickets and watch the show." This sentence made Zhu Kuoquan feel ashamed, he rushed to his forehead with anger, and stamped his feet. ! I don’t want to make this friend anymore! The more Zhu Kuoquan thinks about it, the more cowardly he becomes, what a unicorn boy! When I take on a disciple, I will call him "Qilin Tong"! I have to humiliate you!
Later, Zhu Kuoquan accepted three apprentices. The eldest apprentice was named Li and named "Li Baoqi"; then he accepted "Xiao You'er" as his apprentice and named him "Hou Baolin"; and later he accepted an apprentice named Wang. He was named "Wang Baotong", and as a result, all "Baoqilin Baotong - Qilintong" were completed, and Zhu Kuoquan's wish was fulfilled. After liberation, Hou Baolin changed "Lin" to "Lin" in order to eliminate the misunderstanding. This is the origin of "Hou Baolin".
There are so many stories about Hou Baolin that even during the "Cultural Revolution" people still made up many jokes about him. For example, once he was waiting to be criticized, but when someone didn't fight him, he said: Waiting for a long time was in vain.
During the "Cultural Revolution", the National People's Congress once sent the list of National People's Congress deputies to Chairman Mao Zedong. He specifically looked for the column with the surname Hou and asked why there was no Hou Baolin. The staff said that it should be corrected immediately. At that time, Hou Baolin was working in the cadre school. Hou Baolin was working in the fields. When he heard the military representative telling him to "go back and wash your feet, change a pair of shoes and get ready," Hou Baolin's heart pounded. He was sent to the train station and asked people around him what was going on, but they didn't tell him. After arriving in Beijing, he immediately reported to the Revolutionary Committee and found that people were smiling at him and calling him comrade. Only then did someone tell him that he had a revolutionary mission and asked him to recall traditional jokes. From then on, Hou Baolin "turned over." Almost all of the videos Hou Baolin left behind were recorded when Chairman Mao was doing cross talk in Zhongnanhai.
In life, Hou Baolin still has many jokes. For example, when he visited the United States, a local reporter asked him: Reagan was an actor, but he became president. You are also an actor. Can you be president in your country? Hou Baolin said: I know Reagan, we are different. He is a second-level actor, and I am a first-level actor. His answers were full of wit and humor, which was amazing.
A restaurant asked Mr. Hou to write an inscription, and he wrote three words: "inconspicuous": This is a pun. First, it means that the restaurant is inconspicuous, and second, the dishes in the restaurant are... The features are inconspicuous. He never pretended to be an intellectual, but he showed a high cultural connotation. He can be said to be a high-level intellectual without academic qualifications.
Hou Baolin is usually very funny, showing pride in his modesty. He has a seal with "One House of Marquis" engraved on it. He said, my surname is Hou, and my official seal is Yihuhou, which means that my family's surname is Hou, and I only take care of one family. Those in the past were all called Wanhuhou, etc., and I don't have that much.
Hou Baolin died of illness in Beijing at 14:42 on February 4, 1993. Before his death, he left this message to the audience in the recording: Dear listeners, respected viewers, Hou Baolin will He has passed away. I apologize for my inconvenience and wish you all good health and all the best...