"Kung Fu" (1972) TV series 1972-1975

Directors:

Alex Beaton
Barry Crane

Writers:

Theodore Apstein (writer)
Bernard Bossick (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

14 October 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Western

Plot:

The adventures of a Shaolin Monk as he wanders the American West armed only with his skill in Kung Fu.

Plot Keywords:

Kung Fu | Shaolin | Monk | Slow Motion Scene | Kung Fu Classic

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

David Carradine	...	Kwai Chang Caine (59 episodes, 1972-1975)
Radames Pera	...	Young Caine / ... (44 episodes, 1972-1975)
Keye Luke	...	Master Po / ... (44 episodes, 1972-1975)
Philip Ahn	...	Master Kan (37 episodes, 1972-1975)

Also Known As:

The Warrior (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min (60 episodes) | Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Television

Trivia:

In several episodes, a younger Kwai Chang Caine was played by Keith Carradine, David Carradine's younger brother. Their other brother Robert Carradine and their father John Carradine also appeared in episodes (as Sonny Jim and Serenity Johnson, respectively).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the title sequence the view of young Caine is looped in the pebble scene, as the smoke behind him reverses twice.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Stargate SG-1: Maternal Instinct (#3.20)" (2000)

"do you not hear the grasshopper at your feet?"

David Carridine plays the shoalin monk, philosopher, priest, drifter, defender, dreamer, ......as he simply says, "I am Caine."

The music of Jim Helms is eerie and completely apt.

Performances are good, especially that of Keye Luke as the venerable Master Po.

People often ask, "why don't they make shows like this anymore?" Some answer, "because no one wants to watch them".

Truth is, the art of writing a decent screenplay for television has gone the way of the Dodo bird. They're all mediocre, untalented, overpaid, underworked hacks!