Rare Bruce Lee interview unearthed from before the martial arts legend became famous
HONG KONG — YouTube is a treasure trove of gems from the past and present and fans of Bruce Lee were pleasantly surprised to see extremely rare colour footage of the martial arts legend unearthed before he became world famous.
Bruce Lee being interviewed by celebrity reporter Harry Martin circa 1966.
HONG KONG — YouTube is a treasure trove of gems from the past and present and fans of Bruce Lee were pleasantly surprised to see extremely rare colour footage of the martial arts legend unearthed before he became world famous.
The Centre for Sacramento History has released a series of segments of celebrities over the years with Lee joining such stars as Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy, singer and actress Barbra Streisand, Batman’s Adam West and even Sylvester Stallone in interviews conducted by KCRA-TV’s Harry Martin, considered to be America’s pioneering celebrity reporter.
Filmed around 1966 on 16mm colour film, Lee was interviewed as he was breaking out as a star playing Kato in the TV series The Green Hornet.
The 70-second film clip shows some banter between Lee and Martin as the then 25-year-old Lee rides into the interview on a “Chopper” bike made popular during the 1960s.
“Who’s this strange fella riding on his bicycle? I think his name is Bruce Lee! Looks very familiar as Kato,” says Martin’s fellow reporter. “Well, you need any help?” says Lee to laughter as he dismounts from his bike. “A lot of kung fu going around here,” says the reporting team.
“What is kung fu, Bruce?” asks Martin, to which Lee replies: “Well, kung fu is a Chinese form of combat. (Martial] arts like karate and jiu-jitsu derive from kung fu.”
Martin then asks whether Lee was originally from San Francisco to which Lee corrects the reporter by saying he was originally from Hong Kong, although he was born in San Francisco. “Oh, close,” said Lee after correcting Martin to more laughter.
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Lee then is asked whether he had opened any karate schools in Sacramento or San Francisco.
“In Oakland,” said Lee before he explained that he hadn’t the time to open a school in Sacramento owing to his busy schedule filming The Green Hornet.
Finally, Lee is asked what’s the difference between kung fu and karate. “Well, the main difference I would say, in my school, it’s more offensive,” said Lee to which Martin jokes “so it offends you more?” to more laughter.
“I would attack and defend simultaneously,” Lee said as the camera pans to his bike with his name on it.
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The short clip blew the minds of Bruce Lee fans all over the world.
“I can’t believe you have this!!!! Seeing this makes me more than ever want to see those very rare Hong Kong TV interviews that copyright owners are refusing to release to the public without a ‘cease and desist!!!,” said Scottjulie27.
Another You Tube user said: “You can tell Bruce was a real character. Very charismatic, full of life, and a true philosopher. Rode to the interview looking like a G on his bike.”
“This is unbelievable footage I can hardly believe it. I thought it was a hoax,” said another Bruce Lee fan. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
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