and The Green Hornet (1966-1967)

Jan 28, 2023

26 episodes

When asked about his father doing Chinese Opera, Bruce Lee replied, “I never did like Chinese opera much. I much rather liked to watch The Lone Ranger, you know?” (Interview with Alex Block, who wrote the first biography of Bruce Lee.)

The Western genre once dominated world pop culture. The young kid, Bruce Lee, watching the Lone Ranger, would have never dreamed he would star in a television production from the original creators of the Lone Ranger by becoming Kato in The Green Hornet show.

Thus, the creators of the Lone Ranger, George W. Trendle (1884-1972) and Fran Striker (1903-1962) developed another pop culture phenomenon: The Green Hornet with an Asian sidekick: Kato.

The show introduced America to Bruce Lee and his gung fu. From the start, they had problems filming Lee, for he was too fast, so he had to slow down or freeze his moves. Therefore, the camera could see him. It only lasted year.

Radio Show (1930s)

Green Hornet, created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, started as a radio show in the 1930’s and became two serials by Universal Pictures and comic book material in the 1940’s (6 issues). Basically, it is an updated version of the Lone Ranger and Tonto produced by Trendle, a white vigilante and an ethnic side kick.

They drive a car called “Black Beauty,” which sounds like a horse. Kato was originally Japanese with Raymond Hayashi in the radio role.

Most fans don’t know that Britt Reid, the Green Hornet, is a descendant of “John” Reid, the Lone Ranger, ex-Texas Ranger.

Movie Serials (1940 and 1941)

In both serials, Keye Luke, Korean American, plays Kato, which was originally Japanese in the radio version.

The Japanese origins were dropped because of anti-Japanese sentiment due to World War II. Kato wears goggles instead of a mask. Later Kato would become a Filipino and finally became a Chinese.

The Green Hornet vs Batman Show (1967)

In an effort to gain some of the viewers of the popular Batman show, having an episode where Green Hornet and Kato fight Batman and Robin was created. For the most part, viewers knew Bruce Lee as Kato would kill Robin. Since Batman had more fans, it was a draw.

However, originally Kato was supposed to lose, but Bruce would not agree to that since Robin is no match.

Even today in major motion pictures, Batman seems to do all right without Robin.

Talks about reviving the Green Hornet always includes Kato because he remains the more interesting figure.

Hong Kong and Kato (1970, 1996, 2002, 2010)

The Green Hornet show was released in Asia and called the Kato show. So when Bruce Lee returned to Hong Kong, we was already a star and the Hong Kong studios came to him. He rejected Shaw Brothers and went with Golden Harvest Studios.

Kato continued to be a loved Asian superhero. Kato like films were released in Hong Kong: Black Mask (1996), directed by Daniel Lee, starring Jet Li. Black Mask 2 (2002) was released without Jet Li. This time directed by Tsui Hark.

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010), directed by Wai-keng Lau, Donnie Yen reprises the role of Chen Zhen from Fist of Fury and Legend of the Fist, dressed as a masked warrior.

Kato as Comic (1991 and 2011-)

Kato would have his own comic in 1991, just four issues. He would reappear in Kato Origins (2011) currently in production with Jai Nitz and Colton Worley.

Kato and US (2011)

In 2011, the Green Hornet movie was released, starring Seth Rogan with Jay Chou, an Taiwanese superstar as Kato.

Doc Nirvana

AKA Professor Doc Wayne Stein