The Understated Kato
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crime-fighting sidekick, was played by legendary martial artist Bruce Lee in the
1960s television series. But here are a few things you made not have known about
the nuances Lee brought to the role:
1. The Green Hornet is credited as
the first show to feature Kung Fu in the “West.” (Though martial arts films
garned showing in the Chinatown district movie theatres, the fighting style was
seldom featured elsewhere).
2. Lee is solely responsible for the usage of
martial arts. Initially, Kato’s fight scenes were written as exaggerated
slugging matches, much like those seen in Westerns. Lee protested, insisting
that the character–who was otherwise understated in speech in carriage–would
never execute an attack on an enemy with showy punches.
3. Because
Kato’s Kung Fu movements only registered as “blurs” when shot at regular speed,
directors asked Lee to slow down his moves for the sake of the camera. He was
also asked to throw in some “flashy” flying kicks for emphasis. Though Lee
agreed, he did so begrudgingly, pointing out that flash over efficiency would’ve
endangered the lives of both Kato and the Green Hornet.
Though the show
is valued for its coolness-over-camp approach (arguably something TV’s Batman
series never accomplished), it is also marked by the sophistication and
finesse Lee’s Kato brought to the fight scenes.
t.” (Though martial arts films
garned showing in the Chinatown district movie theatres, the fighting style was
seldom featured elsewhere).<br><br>2. Lee is solely responsible for the usage of
martial arts. Initially, Kato’s fight scenes were written as exaggerated
slugging matches, much like those seen in Westerns. Lee protested, insisting
that the character--who was otherwise understated in speech in carriage--would
never execute an attack on an enemy with showy punches. <br><br>3. Because
Kato’s Kung Fu movements only registered as ”blurs” when shot at regular speed,
directors asked Lee to slow down his moves for the sake of the camera. He was
also asked to throw in some ”flashy” flying kicks for emphasis. Though Lee
agreed, he did so begrudgingly, pointing out that flash over efficiency would’ve
endangered the lives of both Kato and the Green Hornet.<br><br>Though the show
is valued for its coolness-over-camp approach (arguably something TV’s Batman
series never accomplished), it is also marked by the sophistication and finesse
Lee’s Kato brought to the fight scenes. <br><br></div>
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