The Green Hornet (1966) A.K.A. The Green Hornet Feature Film (1974)

The Green Hornet (1966), also known as Green Hornet and The Kato Show, is the classic American action television series starring Van Williams as newspaper publisher Britt Reid, the masked crimefighter known as the Green Hornet, and the legendary Bruce Lee as Kato. The series also features Wende Wagner, Walter Brooke, Lloyd Gough, Gary Owens, and Edmund Hashim. Although the series lasted only one season, Bruce Lee's performance as Kato became one of the most memorable martial arts roles in American television history. Following Lee's worldwide success, selected episodes were later edited into a feature-length theatrical presentation in 1974. Available from ClassicKungFuMovies.com for collectors looking for rare Bruce Lee releases and classic martial arts films on DVD.

STORY OVERVIEW

By day, Britt Reid is the respected publisher of the Daily Sentinel, using his newspaper to investigate corruption and criminal activity throughout the city. At night, he takes on the identity of the Green Hornet, deliberately presenting himself as a criminal figure while secretly working against organized crime. His closest ally is Kato, his trusted driver, inventor, and highly skilled martial artist.

The Green Hornet and Kato use deception and undercover tactics to get inside criminal organizations and bring their leaders down. Their adventures involve kidnappings, robberies, organized crime, dangerous criminals, and elaborate schemes that force the two partners to stay one step ahead of both the police and the underworld. Bruce Lee's speed and fighting ability gave Kato a presence unlike anything American television audiences had seen before.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

The Green Hornet contains some of Bruce Lee's earliest filmed martial arts performances for American audiences. His lightning-fast strikes, kicks, footwork, and precise movements made Kato stand out in every fight scene. Lee's approach was very different from the slower staged fighting commonly seen on American television at the time, giving viewers an early look at the martial arts ability that would later make him an international movie star.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors value The Green Hornet because it captures Bruce Lee before his Hong Kong film career made him a worldwide icon. His portrayal of Kato came years before The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Way of the Dragon, and Enter the Dragon. Van Williams and Lee also developed a memorable partnership on screen, with Kato's martial arts skills becoming one of the defining features of the series.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Premiering in 1966, The Green Hornet introduced Bruce Lee to a large American television audience and helped establish Kato as one of the most recognizable martial arts characters of the era. The series became particularly popular in Asia, where it was often referred to as "The Kato Show." After Lee's death and the worldwide success of his films, selected episodes were edited together and released theatrically in 1974, giving the production another life with movie audiences.

• Verified AKAs:
  • The Green Hornet – Original television series title
  • Green Hornet – Alternate home video title
  • The Kato Show – Popular Asian nickname for the series
  • The Green Hornet (Feature Film) – 1974 theatrical compilation
• Directors: William Beaudine, Leslie H. Martinson, Larry Peerce, Allen Reisner, Seymour Robbie
• Starring: Van Williams, Bruce Lee, Wende Wagner, Walter Brooke, Lloyd Gough, Gary Owens, Edmund Hashim
• Format: DVD
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: None
• Region: All Regions
• Country: United States
• Original TV Series: 1966
• Theatrical Feature Release: 1974

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.