Posts from Paula in thread „Kung Fu (1972-1975)“

  • Kung Fu (1972-1975)

    An interview with David Carradine in Cinema Retro magazine with discussion about Kung Fu and some of his other work. Plus some pics of a very lovely young Helen Mirren on the fourth page. ;)





  • Kung Fu (1972-1975)

    Quote


    But according to the producers, although Lee was consulted and was considered for the role,
    they created the concept and Carradine was always their first choice.

    That IS the correct history. Bruce Lee was NOT the creator of the TV series Kung Fu. Ed Spielman wrote the original script -- I think it was intended for a film but no one bought it and it stayed on the shelf until dusted off to be made into a series.


    Bruce Lee auditioned for the role of Caine but his thick accent and rather aggressive approach to the character meant he was never seriously considered. Producer Jerry Thorpe had seen David Carradine on stage in New York in Royal Hunt of the Sun and was impressed with his balletic performance as the doomed Inca king, and had him in mind for the role of Caine from the beginning. It's true that Carradine had no background in martial arts (he had studied dance and gymnastics) but he fell in love with it during the show and practiced it for the rest of his life, though he didn't really start studying it seriously until after Kung Fu ended.


    Carradine in Royal Hunt of the Sun



    I'm a HUGE Carradine fan and have a fair amount of Carradine magazines/photos/memorabilia (not as big as my Ben Johnson collection -- in fact, I recently sent some of Carradine collection off to another fan because there's just too much stuff cluttering up my house). Fans may not realize this, but David made dozens of westerns, at all points of his career. He loved horses and was a very fine rider, and one of his granddaughters is a professional competitor in equestrian events. Another granddaughter, Kansas Carradine, is a "lasso artist" -- you can see her on youtube.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am-4y17lg6A


    The Carradines are very distinguished family of performers.


    I will post some more pictures soon. ;)