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Lao Che is a Fictional Character in '' Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom ''. Lao Che is a Chinese crime lord who nearly killed Indiana Jones . He poisoned Indy's drink, and is the only Villain known to have survived Indiana Jones. Born in Shanghai , China and one of the City 's most notorious Gangster s, Lao Che is also known as the owner of the corrupt Club Obi-Wan (a reference by Star Wars writer George Lucas to the famous Science Fiction Hero ). In Temple Of Doom , Lao Che is portrayed as the father of Chen and Kao Kan , the latter of whom who had foolishly attempted to steal the remains of Nurhaci (historically significant as the first emperor of the Chinese Manchu Dynasty ). This resulted in Kao Kan being shot by Indy as punishment for his overzealousness. While this particular scene is not actually shown in ''Temple of Doom'' it is nonetheless hinted at by the large wound on Kao Kan's left Hand , which is tightly wrapped and bandaged upon him pulling out his Revolver during a particularly tense moment (upon Indy's arrival to the Club ). Lao Che's position as a major crime-lord is seemingly typical for a film villain, but many people see this as one of the first "realistic villains" in Film . That is, a villain that survives the Protagonist . This is especially uncommon, as this takes place in a series of films that sticks very close to conventions (that the villain must die, the female must always swoon to the Hero , etc.). Critic s have, however, pointed out that Lao Che and his Thug s were represented ridiculously as being ''too'' stereotypically Chinese, possibly even to the point of Racism . Lao Che's character in ''Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'' was portrayed by the late Shanghai born and raised Chinese actor, Roy Chiao , who passed away in 1999 due to complications from heart disease. Today, the overconfident quote, "Nice try, Lao Che," uttered by Indiana Jones in the movie as he makes his escape--via a (unbeknownst to him) doomed "Lao Che"-owned airplane--is customarily used by foreign Expats to celebrate one's successful departure from (and survival of) the myriad cesspool of vices and venoms that is the city of Shanghai. The self-congratulatory phrase also carries with it the implication of a wary eye towards the future, as one's proverbial plane (or liver) might nonetheless still meet a dark, Shanghai-related end. Suitable environs in which "Nice try, Lao Che" may be invoked include the Departures Gate of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the harried platforms of the Shanghai Railway Station . |
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