THE GREEN HORNET PART 3: THE RISE OF BRUCE LEE

http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-1.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-2-tv-series.html

In the first part of my look at the character of The Green Hornet, I examined its origins from a radio drama to a filmed serial, and as I wrote about in part 2, in the mid- sixties plans were being made to produce a television series, and the producers’ choice of casting the Japanese manservant, Kato would ensure that the short lived series would be remembered by fans of both  martial arts and cult TV for years to come.

The television series of The Green Hornet had a lot to do with the beginning of Bruce Lee’s rise in popularity with western audiences, although when he was initially approached about the part he wasn’t that impressed.

Bruce had been doing a martial arts demonstration at the 1964 Long Beach Karate tournaments, and was seen by celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring. Sebring told TV producer William Dozier, who was on the lookout for a Chinese actor to play Charlie Chan’s son in a proposed TV series.

A meeting was arranged during February 1965 at 20^thCentury Fox studios for Bruce Lee’s first ever Hollywood screen test. It was successful and Dozier signed him up, however, much to Bruce’s disappointment, the Charlie Chan project was cancelled.  

In the test, Bruce talked about his life in Hong Kong, and Gung Fu, comparing it to water – water is soft, but it can also be destructive.

He also demonstrated some of his Gung Fu moves and techniques with one of the studio crew.

The success of the Batman TV show,  meant Bruce appeared in another screen test , this time filmed in colour for The Green Hornet, which was due to go into production during March 1966. Bruce was to have a co-starring role in the series.

During this time in Hollywood, it will come as no surprise that there was an element of prejudice (considering the recent events at the Oscars this year, it would be fair to say it still exists), and an Asian actor would have no chance of landing  the leading part in a Hollywood production.  Bruce saw the Kato character as the usual subservient stereotype, but as he had a family to support, he took the role.

He choreographed   the fight scenes and changed the Kato character from Japanese to Chinese.  He wanted Kato to be dynamic, and less menial.   In the show, although Van Williams’ Green Hornet character is still in charge, both characters are seen as an equal partnership, with Kato using his martial arts skills to full advantage. Indeed, off -set Van Williams became good friends with Bruce and became another of Bruce Lee’s students.

When the series was cancelled, Bruce went on to become a fight co-ordinator on the 1968 Matt Helm film, The Wrecking Crew.

Bruce made four guest appearances as a martial arts instructor, Li Tsung  in the 1971 TV crime drama, Longstreet   about a blind detective starring James Franciscus.

Bruce also came up with an idea for a television series called The Warrior, with himself in mind as the lead. However, this concept was apparently reworked, and eventually renamed Kung Fu.

Hollywood, again wary of giving the lead role to an Asian actor, chose David Carradine over Bruce.

Disillusioned by how things were in Hollywood he returned to Hong Kong, and to his surprise found that The Green Hornet series had been a massive hit there, and was referred to, unofficially as The Kato Show.

Following this, Bruce was offered his first leading role in 1971 as star of The Big Boss. This was followed in 1972 by Fist of Fury.

Hollywood began to see the potential in casting Bruce as the star, and produced Enter the Dragon  in 1973 on the back of Bruce Lee’s talents, although, the film did include co-star white Caucasian actor John Saxon.

Tragically Bruce Lee died aged 32 on 20 July, 1973, six days before the film’s release in Hong Kong.

However, as the theme of my meanderings is primarily The Green Hornet, in 1974 and 1976 compilations of several episodes from the series were re-edited to make two theatrical  film releases designed to cash in on the success of Bruce Lee.  The first was called ‘Bruce Lee as Kato and The Green Hornet’ and the other ’Fury of The Dragon’. The clips on the films’ trailers emphasised Bruce Lee’s martial artistry, and finally give him star billing.