Bruce Lee

[Rotten Head Fok]

a little something I found at vampjack.freehosting.com

 

Bruce Lee's father, Li Hoi-Cheun was born around the turn of the century in Fatshan Province China. His Mother Grace Oi Yue Li was born in Shanghai in 1912, She was Eurasian Born to a German Catholic father, and Chinese mother. Bruce's father was a comic actor in classical Chinese opera. And in 1940 his pregnant wife, and three children, Peter, Agnes Chan, and Pheobe Ho, accompanied him on a tour of the United States. During the tour, Grace who had suffered a miscarriage only thirteen months previously, elected to remain in San-Francisco to await the birth of her third child (Bruce Lee's sister Agnes was adopted).

 

On Wednesday November 27th 1940, in the Jackson Street Memorial Hospital Bruce Lee Jun Fan, was Born. His Father was performing 3.000 miles away in New York. Grace called the boy `Jun Fan' which translates into English as `Return Again'... which means Bruce would one day return to the city of his birth. The English spelling of Lee was used for convenience on the US Birth certificate, and the English name Bruce was provided by the doctor who attended his delivery, Mary Glover. The Li family remained in San Francisco for some time following the birth, and Bruce in fact was used as `prop' baby, in the US made Chinese movie, "Golden Gate Girl", and early snapshot depicts Mr. Li holding baby Bruce who is heavily made up in theatrical make up.

 

Early in 1941, the family returned to Hong Kong to their 2nd floor Kowloon apartment at 218 Nathan Road. These early years were far from trouble free for the young Bruce Lee, who was an apparently frail child. The earlier miscarriage of Grace Lee's 2nd son caused the family to bow to Chinese Superstition, and rename baby Bruce as a girl to confuse evil spirits... and so Bruce became known to his family as `Sai-Fun' which Translated means `Little-Phoenix', the Phoenix being the female equivalent of the dragon. Around 1947, Bruce's father was acting in Hong Kong produced movies, and Bruce who often accompanied him to the set, was given an opportunity to appear in his first movie "The Beginning of a Boy". This was to be the first of 18 film roles as a child actor, including "Kid Cheung", "Thunderstorm", 'In face of Demolition' and "The-Orphan" the popularity he enjoyed with local audiences. Led them to nickname him `Little dragon' a name which would be revived to great effect when he later enjoyed international movie success. Bruce Lee's first school was La Salle Catholic boy's school, although this was not to be the happy association his parents had hoped for as his tutor Brother Henry Pang recalled. Bruce was later `asked to leave...' for locking a school bully in a toilet cubicle overnight. Bruce later returned in triumph for a school prize giving in 1973.

 

Bruce Lee's parents enrolled Bruce in the St.Francis Xavier catholic school, hoping he would fair rather better. In 1949 Bruce enjoyed a 9th birthday party at his family's Nathan rd apartment, one young guest William Cheung was a young Martial Artist attending the Wing Chun school of Grandmaster Yip Man. A rapport quickly developed between the two boys, and Bruce pestered his mother for the 12 HK Dollars fee per lesson he needed to attend the Gung-Fu class in Yaumati district, citing `Bullying' at school as the reason for his interest. Grace capitulated, although it was Bruce who did most of the Bullying! Bruce and William also tagged along with a local street gang, the Junction St., 8 tigers, one of many gangs, which were prevalent in Hong Kong at the time.

 

In 1952 Bruce was traveling by bus, and flicked the pips from the dates he was enjoying out of the window, unfortunately it wasn't open and bounced into the lap of an irate man sitting opposite. Bruce was diagnosed severely short sighted and required glasses at all times, and contact lenses for his film roles.

 

In 1955 Bruce Lee's prowess in the martial art of Wing Chun was becoming apparent to all that knew him, his family had by now christened him never sits still! He would turn up to Wing Chun class 15 minutes early and turn other students away with the story class were canceled that day. This would enable him to gain personal tuition from a puzzled Yip Man, or his senior Instructor Wong Sheung Leung.

 

Bruce became enamored with movie icon James Dean, and pictures of Bruce around this era depict him with greased hair and denims. In 1958 Bruce was noticed by the Boxing coach (Brother-Edward) at Francis Xavier as a `hot-prospect' and entered for the Inter School boxing match, against rival school King GeorgeV. Bruce blasted his way through three preliminary rounds before coming up against the champion of the previous year Gary Elms. Bruce Lee's `straight-blasting' Wing-Chun punching confounded his opponent and Bruce was declared 1958 high school boxing champion. Bruce had developed a penchant for dancing, and along with his partner Miss: (Pearl) Cho Miu Yee, was the cha-cha champion of Hong Kong in 1958, carrying around in his wallet a card with as many as 120 dance steps on it!

 

In early 1959 rivals with another Gung-Fu school, of the Choy Li Fut style challenged Bruce to a friendly `match'. These usually occurred on rooftops to avoid attracting attention in crowded Hong Kong. Wong Sheung Leung Bruce's senior in Wing Chun, refereed the Bout It was an uneventful affair, until a rival struck Bruce in the eye cutting it badly; Bruce retaliated wildly battering his opponent against the rooftop water tank. The Police were summoned and a subdued Bruce Lee was brought before his mother Grace, who was coerced by Police into signing a paper to the effect she would keep Bruce out of further trouble. Fearful of his father's reaction, and sure Bruce would soon return to his wild ways, Grace reminded Bruce of his rights under US Draft laws. Which enabled Bruce to return to the land of his birth, and register for the US draft before his 19th Birthday, thereby claiming his American citizenship. Bruce readily agreed seizing the opportunity of a new beginning in a new country.

 

In April 1959 Bruce Lee boarded a ship of the American Presidents Line for the eighteen day trans-pacific crossing. He traveled 3rd class with only 100 US dollars in his possession, this he supplemented by giving cha-cha lessons to 1st-class passengers.

 

Upon his arrival on May 17th, in San Francisco Sister Agnes met Bruce. Bruce moved into the apartment of Quan Ging Ho, a Lee family friend, he earned his keep by giving cha-cha and Gung-Fu lessons, to anyone who would employ him. Brother Peter also accompanied Bruce while taking a respite from College. Whilst attending a House-warming Bruce was introduced to Robert-Lee, (no-relation) who was the elder brother of a Gung-fu man named James Yimm Lee, James had studied Si-Lum Gung-Fu under Professor Wong. When James heard of this top Gung-fu man, Bruce Lee, he tried to get in touch, but Bruce was unfortunately was moving up to Seattle, Peter traveled with him.

 

By September 3rd1959, Bruce had moved into the attic room of Lee family friend Ruby Chow. Chow a renowned Seattle Matriarch, ran a successful restaurant business, Bruce was employed as a Bus boy, waiting on tables, much to his obvious distaste. Bruce and Ruby Chow had taken an instant dislike to one another.

 

Bruce enrolled in the local college, Edison-Technical and was determined to make a good start in his new life. He quickly assimilated into the local Chinese community and gave a Gung-fu demonstration at the 1959 Seattle `Seafair' exhibition. One person greatly impressed by Bruce Lee's balletic grace, was Black Judo expert Jesse Glover, he persuaded Bruce to teach him. Soon a number of students were training under Bruce Lee. One a Japanese-American named Taky Kimura, some 15 years Bruce Lee's senior, became a devoted follower, though not as physically gifted as other students from this era' such as Roy Hollingsworth. However Bruce Lee sensed in Taky an inner strength, and he soon became Bruce's right-hand man in Seattle, ousting original student Jesse Glover who was crestfallen by this snub. Gradually withdrawing from training with the group, although Jesse remained on friendly terms with Bruce Lee, for the remainder of his life.

 

Rare super 8 footage from this period, of Bruce Lee and Taky demonstrating Chi Sao has emerged in recent years, revealing the amazing agility speed, and power of the young Bruce Lee. Another Seattle Student James De-Mile became particularly enamored with Bruce Lee's exhibition crowd pleaser, the One-inch punch, later developing his own derivation, and producing a series of books specifically dealing with Bruce Lee's concept.

 

The first informal meeting place for training was the corner of Maynard and Lane. As numbers increased they moved to the parking lot of the Blue-Cross Hospital building, these were the most informal teaching periods of Bruce Lee's Martial arts career, never again would he be as `open' with his knowledge of Gung-Fu. Around this period Bruce dated his first girlfriend in the United States, Japanese American Amy Sanbo.

 

In early 1960 Bruce's growing reputation led to him, along with fellow martial artist Fook Young, giving a TV demonstration of Si Lum form and Jeet Kune form, for Seattle's local TV station.

 

When Bruce graduated from Edison Technical college, he enrolled in the University of Washington on March 27th 1961, his Gung-Fu school, then housed in a dingy basement laundry room, was closed, and he opened another on the University campus- district. Nearer his place of study, and to gain hopefully, the passing-trade of university students.

 

Bruce Lee often gave demonstrations and one at Garfield high school was witnessed by 17yrs old Linda Emery an American of Swedish descent. Soon Bruce began to take an interest in the attractive blond, and they enjoyed their first date on October 25th 1963, atop the Seattle Space-Needle's revolving restaurant. Built for the 1961 Seattle Worlds Fair.

 

Bruce managed to supplement his income during this period, buy inserting the 'free ads' into Sunday newspapers for the Seattle Times, a paper which later championed him as his career burgeoned.

 

Bruce had also made contact with future student, James Yimm Lee, who had tried to train with him whilst he lived in San Francisco in 1959. Bruce visited James in his home in Oakland California, and their mutual obsession with Gung-Fu, led to an immediate rapport. James who self published his own, Martial Arts training-guides, published Bruce Lee's first book in 1963, titled, "Chinese Gung-Fu, a Philosophical guide to self defense". The photographs for the book were taken in the back lot, behind Ruby Chow's restaurant. The Book enjoying an initial print run of only 300 copies, is now worth many times it's original face value.

 

Bruce now began to see the fruits of a possible Collaboration with James Lee and discussed opening a 2nd 'Satellite' Jun Fan Gung-Fu institute (the name he now titled his kwoons) in Oakland.

 

Bruce and Linda Emery's relationship was becoming more intense, although she realized she would always take a back seat to Martial Arts.

 

Bruce made his first return visit to his family in Hong Kong, during the autumn of 1963, and whilst there his father (for reasons which are unclear) insisted he be circumcised! which left Bruce walking bow legged for a couple of days.

 

On his return to Seattle he found his Draft papers waiting, he attended the Induction center, but was amazed to find himself rejected by the US army as classified '4F'. This was due to an apparent undescended Testicle, poor eyesight, and a sinus disorder, leaving Bruce somewhat bemused to be the fittest man the army rejected, he did however don a uniform in the campus 'ROTC' squad.

 

Bruce's Gung fu school was now located on the campus of the University at 4750 University way. Bruce was re-thinking his Wing chun training methods, (although he would use the wooden Wing Chun training dummy or, `Mook-Jong', for the remainder of his life) He now began to incorporate other systems, such as Judo. (under the tutelage of master Shuzo Kato) plus training with his friend Fred Sato.

 

His collaboration with James Lee was developing rapidly, and in January 1964, James introduced Bruce to Karate 'luminary Ed Parker, who taught celebrities of the calibre of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, Parker has been described in the US as the grandfather of modern day Kenpo-Karate.

 

On May 2nd Bruce gave a demonstration for Parker's friend, Wally Jay's , at his Judo Jujitsu club, at their annual Luau, in Alameda California.

 

By July 19th 1964 Bruce had decided that his destiny lay in moving to California. At the end of the summer semester he abandoned his University Philosophy course, and his Jun Fan Gung-fu school was moved from it's campus location and returned to the humble laundry basement, under the permanent (to this day) leadership of Taky Kimura.

 

A nervous Linda Emery drove Bruce Lee to the airport, she kissed him farewell as he left for his new start in Oakland, with his promise "I'll be back for you..." ringing in her ears.

 

In California Bruce Lee was invited by Ed Parker to demonstrate his Gung Fu to the largely ignorant (of Chinese arts) American audience. For the August 2nd 1964, Inaugural, Long Beach Karate International tournament, which Parker would continue to stage annually.

 

In the audience watching Bruce Lee that day, along side a `dazzled' crowd, was celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring, (later to fall victim to the Manson Gang alongside Sharon Tate in the notorious 'Tate - La Bianca' Murders).

 

The same day, Parker introduced Bruce Lee to arguably, his most important protégé Daniel Inosanto, a young Filipino, Judo and Karate expert, whom Parker enlisted to 'Stooge' for Bruce when he gave demonstrations around California, such as one in the Sing Lee Theater. Dan recalls being "unable to sleep" after meeting Bruce, and being frustrated, By his inability to "even touch him, during free-sparring!".

 

On August 12th 1964, Bruce returned to Seattle to propose and marry Linda Emery, following much protest from Linda's mother Vivian, however, and her stepfather, Willard Dickinson. Especially over her intention to marry a `Chinese-boy' who didn't have a job. However following Linda's announcment that she was pregnant, common sense prevailed, and on August 17th 1964, in the Seattle congregational church, with Taky Kimura as best man, using a wedding ring borrowed from James Lee's wife Katherine. Bruce and Linda were married. Tragically on October 5th James Lee's wife Katherine, passed away, leaving the young Linda to care for his two children Karina and Greglon, in addition tp Bruce, James, and the imminent arrival of her own son, Brandon in February 1965.

 

The Kwoon in Oakland, was an initial success, but began to raise eyebrows in the nearby Chinese community of San Francisco, who dispatched a delegation to the Broadway school in January 1965. Demanding that Bruce Lee Jun Fan, cease teaching Chinese Gung-Fu to non-Chinese, or suffer the consequences, a clear threat! Bruce Lee had never backed away from a fight in his life, and insisted that he fight the mouthpiece of the delegation There and then! This was a totally unexpected turn of events for the members of the delegation, who nervously began laying out ground rules.

 

"No rules" Bruce angrily declared, "It's no holds barred, anything goes!"

 

In the ensuing few minutes of what could be described as untidy 'streetfighting', Neither side could claim a decisive victory, his opponent's tactic of turning his back, every time Bruce attempted to hit him,

 

(and Bruce's seeming inability to counter this tactic) made for an unseemly spectacle.

 

Nevertheless, Bruce still sent them packing, but he later admitted to James Lee,

 

"That was the strangest fight I've ever been in, that guy kept circling, and I couldn't get a good shot, I hurt my hands hitting him in the back of the head!"...

 

Thus began Bruce Lee's re-evaluation of his entire approach to Martial Arts!

 

He began watching western Boxing matches on film, to enable him to incorporate the footwork into his training, and he would run 6 miles daily to increase his stamina. He

 

Emphasized free sparring in his Gung-Fu schools, these thought processes, and gradual adaptations, would eventually lead Bruce Lee to develop his own unique expression of the Martial Arts, the explosive art of "JEET-KUNE-DO", "the Way of the Intercepting Fist".

 

Jay Sebring (the hairdresser who had witnessed Bruce's Long beach triumph) had by now mentioned the `amazing Chinese guy', Bruce Lee, to `Batman' / `Perry Mason' TV producer William Dozier, Dozier by co-incidence was on the look out for a young Chinese actor to play Charlie Chan's son, in an-upcoming adaption of a TV series called "No # 1 Son", Dozier telephoned Ed Parker to ask about Bruce Lee, and Parker who had filmed Bruce's Long Beach demonstration. Showed the 16mm footage to Dozier, who was sufficiently impressed to call Bruce in Oakland to arrange an immediate screen test.

 

Thus in February 1965, Bruce Lee's life, began to a dramatic turn. His First child Brandon-Bruce Lee was born on the 1st and just three days later he was in the 20th Century Fox studio in Hollywood for his first ever screen test. Tragically though, Bruce Lee's father Li Hoi Cheun, died on February 8th.

 

Bruce flew back to Hong Kong to attend his fathers funeral, prostrating himself, in grief before the coffin, (following Chinese tradition that he `crawl-back' in atonement for being absent at the moment of his father's passing.)

 

On his return to the US, Bruce learned that his screen test was very successful and he was signed by Dozier, to an 1,800 US dollar option for The No #1 Son title role. Using the advance he returned to Hong Kong in May 1965 accompanied by his wife and newborn Son, proudly showing them to his family in Hong Kong.

 

Records show he trained at the Hong Kong Hak Keny gym on May 27th 1965. Bruce using the opportunity to take pictures of Yip Man, and other Wing Chun clan members, to aid in the research for a Gung Fu book he was working on.

 

When returning to Seattle in September, to stay with Linda's family for the upcoming Christmas breaks. Bruce was disappointed to learn that the No # 1 Son project was canceled, After Christmas the family returned to James Lee in Oakland. Dozier now proposed a new series in similar vein to the spoof show 'Batman' would be going ahead, this was "the Green Hornet" due for production in march 1966. It was around this time, March 4th that Bruce Lee received a first script draft, from writer Lorenzo Semple jr. Following which he filmed a second screen test for Dozier, this time in full Kato style costume, although the actor playing Britt Reid is apparently NOT Van William's. Bruce speaks a few inconsequential lines, thankfully Dozier was not sufficiently discouraged to abandon the 'Green Hornet'.

 

During the last week of March 1966, The Lee family bade a sad farewell to Oakland, (and their friend and benefactor James yimm Lee) and moved into an apartment on Wilshire & Gayle, in Westwood, Los Angeles.

 

Bruce Lee's TV career beckoned, Dozier once again screen tested Bruce Lee specifically for the 'Green Hornet' in this second screen test Bruce performs no 'Gung fu' and wears a different mask to that later developed for his role as 'kato'.

 

By April 25th he had a full script for the episode 'Beautiful Dreamer' to work on. Strangely from production notes, this was not the premiere episode filmed, this was 'The Ray is for Killing'. (Final draft August 1st 1966) While even more perversely the actual premiered episode on TV was 'The Silent Gun'. The security of the role allowed the family to move in August 1966 into the plush Barrington plaza condominium complex, which housed celebrities such as Burt Ward, (Robin from the rival Batman show). Rumored rivalry between the actors was hyped up, in fact Bruce gave Ward a quick gung fu lesson.

 

George Trendle originally created the "Green Hornet" story for a 1930's radio series. In the 1966 TV version Bruce Lee takes the role of Japanese chauffeur Kato, sidekick, (Ala. 'Robin - in 'Batman') to millionaire newspaper publisher Britt Reed, (Grandson of 'The Lone Ranger'), which goes part way to explain why Reed by night donned a green overcoat and Lone ranger style mask, and became a crime fighting vigilante. The show ran for 26 half-hour episodes, and was not the critical success of Producer Dozier's earlier show, the played for laughs`Batman'.

 

The Green Hornet premiered on September 9th 1966. While on September 28th, Bruce Lee as 'Kato' and Van William's as the 'Green Hornet' made a guest appearance in an episode of 'Batman' entitled 'The spell of Tut', in the cameo the 'Caped crusaders' Adam West as 'Batman' and Burt Ward as 'Robin' are seen climbing the exterior of a skyscraper, Bruce and Van William's emerge from a nearby window and various pleasantries are exchanged. A neat 'entree by producer Bill Dozier for his other Greenway productions stars.

 

Bruce Lee was a runaway hit with children and adults alike, who'd never previously seen anything like his Gung-fu on screen before, with the exception of the 1940's 'Mr.Moto' films, which used Judo. The 'Green Hornet' also heralded the first use of Bruce Lee's Signature weapon Nunchaku in an episode also featuring his Los Angeles student Dan Inosanto, the episode 'Preying Mantis' also featured Chinese character actor MAKO as 'Low Sing', whom Danny Inosanto doubled in his fight scenes with Bruce Lee, one spectacular fight featured a variety of 'Kali' (Filipino) weapons introduced to Bruce Lee by Inosanto. Dan already expert in Jujitsu, Judo, Okinawan Te, Filipino Escrima, a Kenpo Shodan (Black Belt) As mentioned, Dan Was introduced to Bruce Lee via Ed Parker. Working as an assistant, Dan 'stooged' for Bruce on the short exhibition tour at the Sing Lee theater in July 1964 prior to the Long Beach tournaments, the friendship blossomed and Dan took over the instruction duties in Bruce Lee's Kwoon whilst Bruce was engaged with filming commitments, when Bruce left for Hong Kong he left Dan solely in charge of his legacy, with the one exception Taky Kimura who ran the Satellite Kwoon in Seattle.

 

'Green Hornet' also featured top American Judo Grappler Gene Le Bell as a stuntman. To help boost 'Green Hornet' viewing figures, Kato and Britt Reed, were again guests in 'Batman' although strangely this time as guest villains in a `Batman' two realer, titled 'A piece of the Action' and 'Batmans Satisfaction'. Filmed January 27th 1967, and aired on March 2nd.

 

When Brandon was barely eighteen months old, Bruce engaged the services of photographer Chester Maydole. Bruce in concert with Dan Inosanto would be photographed by Maydole, in a series of staged martial arts techniques taken on Palos Verde's beach, Linda Lee was on hand with the family cine camera, as was baby Brandon who demonstrated some impressive moves of his own.

 

During this period Bruce Lee's close friend George Lee from Oakland, manufactured Bruce Lee's famous tombstone symbol. The model symbolizing a martial artist's loss of individuality, sacrificed on the altar of classical martial arts routine. Bears the legend

 

"In memory of a once fluid man, crammed and distorted by the classical mess".

 

On May 6th 1967, Bruce Lee was a special guest along with TV's 'I.spy' Star Robert Culp, at a Jhoon Rhee tournament in Washington DC Armory. While staying at the Mayflower Hotel, Bruce met future friend and student top Karate man Joe Lewis, Lewis would later go on record as crediting Bruce Lee for the influence Bruce Lee had on Lewis's tournament wins.

 

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Bruce was now training with Tony Hum and Dan Inosanto, at the rear of Wayne Chan's Pharmacy, Los Angeles. Bruce decided with Dan Inosanto's help to close this kwoon,and on February 5th 1967, Bruce opened a 'private' Gung Fu school, at 628 College St., Chinatown Los Angeles, entry was invitation-only. Many of his more well know students, Ted Wong, Dan Lee, Jerry Poteet, Richard Bustillo, Herb Jackson, Larry Hartsell, Bob Bremer, Pete Jacob's and Steve Golden attended here.

 

By June 24th 1967, Bruce Lee often made personal appearances as a celebrity guest, following his Kato role sometimes in full mask and uniform. One such appearance led to his meeting Karate star Chuck Norris, at Madison square gardens in New York City as Sihak Henry Cho's guest, where Bruce presented Chuck with his trophy as world Karate Champion. This led to Chuck Norris training with Bruce Lee.

 

On July 14th 1967 Bruce filmed a guest appearance opposite Raymond Burr, in "A Man Called Ironside" as `Karate' instructor Leon Soo in an episode entitled "Tagged for Murder". Following cancellation of the "Green Hornet", Bruce was forced to move out of the high rent Barrington Plaza condominium, he now rented, and move to a home in Inglewood southern California.

 

Bruce was a regular lunch-guest at 20th Century-Fox with assistant "Green Hornet" producer, Charles Fitsimmons, who suggested Bruce should consider raising his present kwoon fee of only 22 dollars per month to his current roster of students, to a staggering (in those days) 50 dollars per hour! to teach celebrities. Bruce was astounded by the idea, but agreed to try it.

 

Jay Sebring, now Bruce Lee's barber, introduced Bruce to Steve McQueen, and in turn this led to a long time friendship with James Coburn, Sterling-Silliphant (writer of "In the Heat of the night" and "The Poseidon adventure" ) followed as did Roman-Polanski,

 

Soon a steady flow of Hollywood stars were queuing to train with Bruce Lee,

 

Who would eventually command an incredible (1966) 250 dollars per hour!

 

Despite teaching stars of this caliber, Bruce was still developing his own deadly expression of Martial arts, labeled 'JEET KUNE DO'.

 

As Bruce would explain,

 

"Jeet Kune Do' is the direct expression of one's feelings with the minimum of movement and energy..." His favorite analogy in explanation of this philosophy was... "In building a statue, a sculptor does not add clay to his subject, rather he chisels away the surplus material, until the `truth' is revealed, without obstructions, Thus 'JKD' is not a daily increase, it is a daily decrease..."

 

Bruce coined the name Jeet kune do, from the fencing term `Stop hit' Bruce Lee's elder brother Peter, was a 1948 fencing competitor. In Stop hit, there is no parry and counter; it is as one movement, precisely Bruce Lee's concept for JKD.

 

Bruce also made his second appearance on July 30th, at the 1967 Ed Parker Long Beach tournament. Performing with among others, Robert Baker, his co-star from 'Fist of Fury'. Bruce Lee's fame as Kato swelled the crowd considerably, for the first time publicly Bruce Lee aired his Legendary "One-inch punch", and performed Press-ups on only `ONE'-finger! again the performance was filmed by Parker

 

By late 1967 early January 1968 Bruce began some serious training sessions with martial arts star Chuck Norris. By March he had begun training his celebrity students in earnest, these were the `lean' years of Bruce Lee's career, and acting roles for Orientals were not readily forthcoming.

 

Bruce on July 5th 1968, choreographed fight scenes for the Dean Martin "Matt-Helm" movie the "Wrecking-Crew", which was the last film to feature Sharon Tate before her murder, this was also the movie debut for Chuck Norris, and featured celebrated oriental actress Nancy Kwan, famous for her starring role in 1960 movie 'the World of Suzie Wong' (also featuring an adolescent Jackie Chan) she would later play Seattle matriarch Ruby Chow in the 1993 Bruce Lee Bio-pic 'Dragon- The Bruce Lee Story'.

 

Bruce Lee's friend and student, Sterling Silliphant, screenwriter, ("Towering-Inferno ") wrote Bruce a cameo role. Bruce's scenes filmed August 6th 1968, with James Garner, for the movie version of "Marlowe", based on Raymond Chandlers novel "the Little Sister". Bruce as diminutive but sharply dressed 'Winslow Wong' steals the film in a scene where he destroys "Marlowe's" office with his bare hands, and feet!. The suits Bruce wore in Marlowe, were purchased by the actor in Beverly Hills 'Rodeo drive' boutiques with the able assistance of close friend Ted Wong, who was on hand to offer moral support to Bruce on this his first ever English speaking Hollywood role.

 

On November 4th 1967, Bruce as a favor to his friend Wally Jay attended his Alameda Island Judo - Jujitsu club, as a celebrity guest. Around this time a famous Black Belt magazine article appeared, with pictures taken at the Chinatown kwoon, entitled, 'In Kato's Gung fu Action is Instant'.

 

Bruce also featured in an episode of "Blondie" entitled 'Pick on a bully your own size'. Filmed on November 12th 1968 featuring Jim Backus, who played James Dean's father in "Rebel without a cause", and later provided the voice for the myopic "Mr.: Magoo" cartoon character. Bruce also made other appearances in TV series, such as 'Hollywood Palace' with Milton Berle.

 

During the period November 12th to 22nd, Bruce filmed his only adult non martial art art art role in "Here come the Brides" which featured a fresh faced David Soul ('Hutch of 'Starsky & Hutch' fame) in an episode entitled `Marriage Chinese style'. In December 1968, Bruce and his family had moved to Van Bueren a Culver city suburb of Los Angeles, this would prove a temporary move, as TV fees, plus residual-fees for the "Green-Hornet" re-runs led to Bruce and Linda scouting for a larger home. They moved to the upmarket Bel-air location of 2551 Roscamare Rd. Shortly after moving in Bruce and Linda's second child, a girl, Shannon Lee was born in Santa Monica Hospital on April 19th 1969.

 

As Linda would later say of Bruce Lee's reaction, "An angel came to stay at our house..."

 

During January of 1969, Bruce with the help of Stirling Silliphant , was developing a movie script called "THE SILENT FLUTE" , a screenwriter (possibly Silliphant's nephew was engaged for the initial treatment) Bruce was developing the movie with James Coburn and Silliphant Stirling Silliphant also found Bruce employment outside acting, and used him as choreographer on a movie he'd scripted, filming in Tennessee during April 16th to 24th starring Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn, called "A walk in the spring Rain". Pictures taken on the set show a dapper Bruce in stripy bell-bottoms, directing the action.

 

Footage of Bruce training in June 1969, with celebrities James Coburn, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar in the backyard of his Roscomare road home has emerged in recent years. Along with invaluable training footage of Bruce with Ted Won, Dan Inosanto, Dan Lee, Herb Jackson and numerous other JKD congnacenti with the added bonus of a young Brandon Lee doing his very best to disrupt his father's training regime. Depicting Bruce Kicking and punching a heavy bag at full speed and power, certainly puts to rest any claims of camera trickery in his movies. Other amazing footage has emerged from Australian producer Walt Missingham of Bruce Lee training actor James Coburn, with a soundtrack dubbed by Bruce Lee himself, called the JKD tape.

 

In May 1969 Robert Lee Bruce Lee's brother arrived from Hong Kong to stay with the family, meeting Bruce at the airport, Bruce exclaimed to 'skinny' Pop star Robert, don't tell anybody you're my brother you'll embarrass me!

 

On May 10th 11th Bruce was the celebrity judge at the 1969 National Karate Championships in Washington DC.

 

Bruce Lee's friend, the wife of his student Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate, was brutally murdered on August 9th 1969 in her home at 10050 Cielo Drive, Beverly Hills, by the infamous Manson gang member, Linda Kasabian. Murdered along side Tate, was Jay Sebring, the celebrity hairdresser whose influence with William Dozier, led directly to Bruce Lee's screen test. Sebring also helped to promote Bruce Lee amongst his own roster of celebrity clients, an extremely influential part of Bruce Lee's rise to stardom, Bruce Lee was naturally devastated at his inability to help save these murdered friends. Shortly after in February of 1970, Bruce Lee, flew to Switzerland to train his bereaved student Roman Polanski in Gung fu, stopping off en-route in England to locate in London, his step-brother, (and later right hand man in Hong Kong) WuGnan. While in London Bruce paid an exorbitant sum for a rare Martial arts book. Bruce was and avid collector of martial art literature. Bruce was also a guest of Jhoon Rhee for a tournament in the Dominican Republic during early February Later in March 1970, Bruce flew with his five-year-old son Brandon to Hong Kong to arrange a visa for his mother to move to the United States. As they left the plane, Bruce saw a huge contingent of press men, surrounding the boarding ramp, and looked around him to see which celebrity had been on board, he was astonished to discover the fuss was over him, and his role as Kato in the "Green Hornet" which was being syndicated in Hong Kong, as the 'Kato show'. Bruce was feted on Hong Kong television where he gave an impromptu demonstration of board breaking, as did his son Brandon, they were quite simply a sensation.

 

On May 24th Bruce once again appeared as a celebrity guest at the Washington DC National Karate martial arts, Championships. In June he entered serious negotiations with Coburn and Warner Brothers, to secure backing for the Silent Flute project. Tragedy struck in August 1970, Bruce was performing a strenuous weights exercise, which involved nearly 100Lbs on a bar across his neck, disaster struck and Bruce severely damaged the sacral nerve in his lower back. Bruce was confined to bed for several weeks, and told by his physician that he may never perform Martial arts again.

 

This was just the incentive Bruce Lee required, and he fought to regain his fitness, and although he never fully regained full mobility in his back (he continued to take Cortisone painkiller for the remainder of his life) he still went on to establish a glittering film- legacy. Although whilst bed ridden, Bruce took the opportunity to marshal his thoughts, and his notes on his art of Jeet Kune Do were published by his widow following his death, as the "Tao of Jeet Kune Do".

 

On October 19th the final draft for the 'Silent Flute' was finished, the same month Black Belt magazine carried an article 'the Making of the Silent Flute'.

 

By December of 1970 with Linda Lee working for a Telephone answering service, and the severely embarrassed Bruce looking after five year old Brandon and Eight month old Shannon, was being passed from Doctor to Doctor for back treatment. Finally using nothing more than a combination of mind over matter, painkillers and his incredible will to succeed Bruce

 

In February 1971 Flew to India with Silliphant and Coburn to scout locations, suitable for a 'timeless- location less' movie project, sadly this turned out to be the final nail in the movies coffin. Coburn withdrew from the project, and with him Warner Brothers money, leaving an embittered Bruce Lee left floundering with no job prospects in sight.

 

In May Bruce had talks with Warner executives such as Fred Weintraub and Jerry Leider, for a TV Series based on a shaolin monk in the old west of the 1800's, called the 'Warrior' Bruce quickly helped to develop a project he felt would empower him on US TV screens.

 

During the period June 24th to July 1st Bruce hit the beginning of the purple patch of his entire career, filming his finest screen appearance ever as Li Tsung in the pilot episode of TV's 'Longstreet'. The episode entitled 'the Way of the Intercepting Fist' the literal translation for Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do. Was a close collaboration between Silliphant and Bruce who worked on the script. When viewed is close to watching Bruce giving a private gung fu lesson.

 

Featuring James Fransciscus, portraying a blind detective, taught Martial Arts by Bruce's character, 'Lee Tsung'. More than any thing he had done before this episode showcases Bruce Lee's Philosophy perfectly. Bruce received rave reviews in the 'New York Times'. Also appearing in a cameo role as a Police detective was Louis Gossett Jr, later to find widespread fame in Taylor Hackford's 1981 seminal movie 'Officer and a Gentleman' opposite Richard Gere. (The Late Brandon Lee lobbied director Hackford over a prolonged period in early 1991 for a role in his gang epic 'Bound by honor' a.k.a. 'Blood in Blood Out').

 

During this period, Bruce was called at 4am by a Hong Kong radio announcer and interviewed live on air, in response to the disc jockey's question about doing a film in Asia Bruce jokingly replied he would make a movie in Asia "If the Price was right..." The interview was heard by Golden Harvest, Movie Executive Raymond Chow, who dispatched one of his producers, a Mrs. Lo Wei, to offer Bruce a contract. Bruce unsure because he was in the process of developing the 'Warrior' script for TV, (later to become "Kung-Fu" with David Carradine) consulted friend, James Coburn who warned him, "TV wastes genius... follow Eastwood and Bronson, make a movie abroad"

 

And so on June 28th 1971, Bruce Lee signed to a two-picture deal with Golden Harvest pictures.

 

On 23rd July 1971,Bruce Lee flew to Thailand to make his first `adult' Chinese movie 'The Big Boss'.

 

In the movie Bruce Lee plays Chen, a young man sent to live with relatives, to work with them in a local ice-factory. Chen stumbles upon a cache' of drugs hidden in the ice, and his family are murdered in revenge. The film finale' shows Bruce Lee laying the gangsters to waste, with a fighting passion seldom seen before or since. The Big Boss is sadly the most incomplete of Bruce Lee's released movies, many scenes which were filmed for the Mandarin version are inexplicably removed from the Cantonese dubs, one such features Bruce Lee's only nude scene filmed on location in a 'Pak Chong' bordello, another witnesses Bruce Lee and co-star James Tien, escaping the wrath of a group of gamblers who hurl a cart at them, Lee and Tien leap onto a nearby barn wall. Perhaps the most infamous censored clip, features Bruce burying a 16" saw blade into an opponent's skull. Sadly contrary to popular opinion, these scenes were not excised prior to official release dates. 'Kung Fu monthly' magazines Eddy Pumer obtained Mandarin copies of the movies in December 1979 for a film festival, the above scenes were shown. But amazingly have not surfaced since.

 

On September 3rd 1971 Bruce returned to Hong Kong from Thailand to host a press conference at Kai Tak airport. From there he returned to the United States, to film further episodes of Longstreet for Paramount television. On the 16th of September the pilot episode aired, and Bruce received more fan mail than lead actor Fransciscus. Bruce appeared in three more episodes, 'spell legacy like death', 'I see said the Blindman' and 'Wednesday's Child'.

 

Also in September Bruce graced the cover of Black Belt magazine, inside his last 'personally' submitted article for them entitled 'Liberate yourself from Classical Karate' was a final Au revoir to his friend and mentor Black Belt publisher Mito Uyehara who like Silliphant championed Bruce Lee at every opportunity. It featured an early example of Bruce Lee's retelling of the Zen concept of the 'usefulness of a cup is in it's emptiness..' he finishes his article by stating that his thoughts are merely 'a finger pointing to the moon', a concept he later re-emphasized in 'Enter the Dragon' to great effect.

 

In October 1971 he returned to Hong Kong with Wife Linda and his two children, for the `Big Boss' premiere, the city was in uproar, 'Big Boss' realized 3.5 Million HK Dollars in just nineteen days, outstripping previous record holder `The Sound of Music' by over one million dollars. The Family lived in a temporary apartment in 2 Man Wan road., Waterloo hill. Bruce Lee's life would never return to normal, he was mobbed in Hong Kong wherever he went. Far sighted local English journalist Ted Thomas interviewed Bruce for Hong Kong radio, in an interview often referred to as 'the Last interview', in fact conducted by Thomas following the October 1971 Press previews. Bruce who was accompanied to Hong Kong by Robert Baker, (acting as his bodyguard), appeared with Baker on HKTV -B to promote the release of the 'Big Boss'.

 

On the 7th December 1971, Bruce received a telegram from 'Warner Bros executive Jerry Leider, turning him down, for the lead role in his tv development of "The Warrior" .(later Kung-Fu) Unlike the depiction of events in 'Dragon - the Bruce Lee story' this news reached Bruce Lee, AFTER he filmed his role in the 'Big Boss'. Two days Later, December 9th 1971, Bruce filmed his only released English Language interview with Canadian Broadcaster Pierre Berton, often times referred to as the 'Lost Interview'. It was however released in the UK in a box set edition, as the 'Canadian Interview'one year before its release to the US public. Mr. Berton showed tremendous foresight in traveling to Hong Kong to interview the as yet unknown (in the west) Bruce Lee, Bruce's demeanor and eloquence throughout this interview is impressive and riveting. Bruce Lee in fact conduct several important interviews on Hong Kong television throughout the period 1970 - 1973, many in colour, unfortunately Hong Kong TVB (whose chief share holder is Sir Run Run Shaw of Shaw Brothers fame) do not appear to realize the import of the tapes in their possession, or are perhaps waiting for an opportune moment to release them. (See the 'Martial Arts Illustrated' supplement - 'Bruce Lee on Hong Kong TV' for further information). Bruce Lee also filmed an interview on the set of Enter the Dragon with English TV station the B.B.C, unfortunately the B.B.C little realized the tremendous impact the actor would later generate, and the tapes languished in storage, suffering untold 'audio track' damage as a result. Apparent restoration attempts have proved so far unsuccessful.

 

In December 1971, Following failure of the Warrior, Bruce sold his home in Bel Air, permanently relocating his family in Hong Kong, to enable him to begin work on his second contracted movie for Golden Harvest, "Fist of Fury". The story based on fact, centered on Shanghai, at the turn of the century. Bruce once again called Chen, is the top Chinese Boxer of the Ching-Wu school. A local Japanese Karate school terrorizes Chen's colleagues, resorting to murdering his Sifu (teacher). Chen exacts a bloodthirsty if exciting revenge. This was the first movie to feature Bruce Lee's 'signature' fighting - cries and nunchaku (rice flail) weapon. Robert Baker a former student of Bruce Lee's, from Stockton California, appeared as the Russian `villain' in the movie.Bob also acted as Bruce Lee's 'personal bodyguard', while he was filming in Hong Kong, to allow Bruce the privacy he required from 'unwanted' admirers. Fist of Fury featured Bruce Lee's first dedicated trailer for his movies, in which Bob is seen stood in the halls of the 'ching wu' school and Bruce descends furiously down the stairs to confront him, they clash shoulder to shoulder and the scene freezes, as the screen announcement heralds 'Golden Harvests' latest blockbuster. 'Fist of Fury' , Released in March 1972, was more successful than 'Big Boss', and with the two movie contract honored, Bruce Lee became a partner with Raymond Chow, forming they're own production company, Concord pictures.

 

In January 1972, Bruce Lee's third Golden Harvest movie was to be another period drama, directed once again by Lo Wei. Bruce however, was dissatisfied with Lo's inattention to detail. He declined to make the film with Lo, instead electing to develop, write, direct, and star, in his own production 'The Dragon has Entered', later released as 'Way of the Dragon'. In February 1972 the first episode of the 'Kung fu' TV series aired on US TV.

 

Using proceeds from his successful first two movies, in April 1972 Bruce paid over 1 million Hong Kong Dollars for a palatial detached mansion at 41 Cumberland Road Kowloon. From Here he developed his first project as a director in earnest. On May 1st Golden Harvest held a farewell party for the location film Crew Bruce was sending to Rome. One of the locations ear marked for the movie. Raymond Chow Bruce Lee's partner in Concord had some connections in the Italian City, and Bruce found the 'Gladiatorial' aspect appealing for a finale fight scene in the coliseum. On May 4th Bruce Lee, Raymond Chow, and a Japanese Cameraman, whom Bruce felt were more attuned with cutting edge techniques flew to Rome, trio met in Rome by co -stars Bob Wall, and US karate champion Chuck Norris. The movie featured many Hong Kong firsts; first Chinese film made on location in the west (Rome), first to view rushes, (day's negatives in color). The movie features Bruce Lee as Tang Lung, visiting his family in the big city, he arrives in the middle of an organized crime, and 'Mafia' takes over of his uncle's restaurant. The film finale features a duel e ' with Chuck Norris, set appropriately in the Coliseum. One scene features Bruce demonstrating his skills to fellow restaurant workers. The unfortunate who holds the kicking pad, only to find himself thrown in a tangled heap amongst storage crates, is none other than Bruce Lee's butler and confidante' Wu Gnan. Wu lived as an adopted son with Bruce Lee's father in the Nathan road homes in kowloon. Bruce having lost touch with Wu Gnan in the 1960's re-located him working in England, Bruce was on a stopover flight while teaching gung fu to film director Roman Polanski in Europe.

 

'Way of the Dragon' featured an appearance of Bruce Lee's pride and joy, a Mercedes Benz 250SL coupe' whom Bruce warned business man turned actor Jon Benn, who drove the car in the movie, to "look after it.. I've just bought it! or it will be the end of you..". Bruce at the time of his death was rumored to have a Rolls Royce in Gold livery on special order from England. Other extras in the 'Way of the Dragon' playing various roles as 'Mafioso' hitmen, were in fact 'backpackers' and tourists literally pulled off the streets, to appear in Caucasian roles. One extra, Anders Nellson is now a successful record producer. While Jon Benn runs a successful restaurant in Hong Kong, with Way of the Dragon as its theme.

 

On his return to Hong Kong in June 1972, Bruce appeared on HKTV-B to promote the movie, along with Chuck Norris and Bob Wall. Bruce appears again on TV in August with Son Brandon and 'butler' WuGnan, to help raise funds for stricken victims of a typhoon which devastated parts of Asia, called 'Operation Relief' Bruce and Brandon were a massive hit on the show, Brandon side kicking and breaking wooden boards held by his dad..

 

The'Way of the Dragon' completely shattered the records set by Bruce Lee's previous movies, and caused a traffic jam in Manila on its opening night. Bruce had attempted to fly James Yimm Lee over to Hong Kong, for the premiere, but cancer ridden, James unfortunately died on December 29th 1972, before arrangements were completed.

 

Whilst working on 'Way of the Dragon' Bruce was approached by long standing friend Unicorn to appear in an upcoming movie he was to appear in, Bruce refused but agreed to visit the set and offer any advice he felt may be useful to the project. Unicorn betrayed Bruce's confidence filming him on set using hidden camera's and editing the footage into the completed film 'Unicorn Fist' Bruce Lee's name was heavily featured in advertisement material for the movie, and Bruce and Unicorn never enjoyed the same friendship they had previous to the rift.

 

Bruce began to numerous offers around during this nexus in his career some more lucrative than others. He received interest from the Hannah Barbera cartoon organization to use his image in a series of cartoons based around the martial arts, it was apparent that Bruce gave the project some consideration, outlined by a letter he wrote on the day of his death to his lawyer Adrian Marshall, in which he made arrangements to meet Hannah Barbera in August of 1973. Other offers arrived from Carlo Ponti high flying Italian film producer and husband of Sophia Loren, he offered Bruce Lee a 'blank cheque' to re-produce the success of the spaghetti westerns in Italy, using martial arts as a theme. Another offer came from Metro Goldwyn Mayer in Hollywood to film a co-starring role with King of rock n' roll Elvis Presley. Sadly none of these projects progressed further than drawing board status. The Elvis project is made all the more curious, when one considers that Bruce Lee's friend and student Mike Stone a one time Karate instructor to Elvis, snatched away Priscilla Presley from Graceland in 1972.

 

In August 1972, Seattle friend and student Doug Palmer visited Bruce on the set of a new movie he was working on called the 'Game of Death'. Co -starring was previous student Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Dan Inosanto. Bruce had begun working on this his next movie during the late summer of 1972, because visiting friend Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, a 7'2'' tall, giant basketball celebrity was in town (on vacation) Kareem an ex-student of Bruce's, agreed to film a fight scene with Bruce, (who wanted to "see how it would look, a man 5'6'' tall, versus a colossus man 7'2''...tall ") It was a risky venture each of Kareem's legs were insured by the Los Angeles Lakers team for 1 Million dollars, and would have been none to impressed to hear he was being used by Bruce Lee as a punch bag.

 

Bruce Lee's friend and co -star in 'The Big Boss', James Tien appeared again as an ally of Bruce in the movie, although sadly little of his scenes remain. Bruce also filmed a fight with Hapkido master Chi hon Choi, and a superb double sticks and Nunchaku duel, with friend and No; 1 instructor Danny Inosanto.

 

The film was to have become Bruce Lee's solo concept of his earlier abandoned 'Silent Flute' project. Hastily shot under a working title of "The Game of Death". It was posthumously completed using 'Lee-alike' doubles in 1979, the fight scenes Bruce completed in 1972, being force fed into the hashed up exploitation movie, and it sadly became in 1979.

 

During this period Bruce in an alleged effort to awaken his co-partners apparent lethargy, appeared in some astounding costume still pictures taken by rival Shaw Brothers studio, buried for over twenty years the pictures have emerged, depicting a lean and mean Bruce. Raymond Chow must have been distinctly uncomfortable.

 

Bruce Lee himself never filmed another minute of footage for "Game of Death" However, Because Warner Brothers executive, Ted Ashley, offered Bruce the chance to work with Fred Weintraub, on the first Hollywood / Hong Kong Co. production eventually released as 'Enter the Dragon' Bruce Lee recognizing his chance, seized it. He flies to the United States in October to secure his role in the movie with Warner Brothers, Staying at the Beverly Wishire, he rings friend Steve McQueen to inform him of his new project. Also taking time to write to his great friend Taky Kimura in Seattle, who had unfortunately suffered the bereavement of two brothers, and was now traumatized by a separation from his Wife. Bruce advised him with typical straightforwardness to 'Walk On'.

 

Following the successful negotiations, 'Enter the Dragon' began shooting in Hong Kong, January 1973. Co -star John Saxon had filmed his US 'golf' scenes in Los Angeles in late 1972. During filming in Hong Kong, on February 28th 1973, Bruce paid a return visit to his Hong Kong school La Salle, for a prizegiving ceremony. In April James Coburn visited Hong Kong, to persuade Bruce to pick up the threads of the 'Silent Flute project'. He and Bruce give an impromptu press photo opportunity at Kai Tak airport. Sterling Silliphant later followed coburn on a similar mission, both men met with little success.

 

The'Enter the Dragon' production company from the United States, arrived in Hong Kong. Under directorship of, Robert Clouse, principle photography was completed by March 1973, with final dubbing of the sound effects by May 1973. Co-produced by Sequoia - Concord - Warner Brothers. The film centered on Bruce's character `Lee', a Shaolin monk, who is invited to attend a Martial Arts tournament, on a secluded island, dominated by renegade monk Han. Who uses the tournament to recruit dubious characters for his Opium smuggling operation. Bruce Lee in arguably the finest Fight scenes ever placed on film delivers Han a Coup de Grace' onto his own spear, in the finale fight sequence in a hall of mirrors. Enter the Dragon also featured American star John Saxon fresh from his role opposite Clint Eastwood in 'Joe Kidd'. US Karate champion Bob Wall who featured in 'Way of the Dragon' appears as villain O'Hara, Bruce was injured by Wall during a mistimed stunt maneuver, in which O'Hara was required to lunge at Bruce with broken bottle necks, unfortunately Hong Kong budgets did not stretch to sugar glass and Bruce was badly cut, halting shooting for several days. Australian Peter Archer who ran a Karate dojo in Hong Kong during the 1970's was invited by Bruce to appear in a cameo role in the movie, it was a pivotal scene and Archer received the distinction of being one of the few martial artists to confront Bruce Lee in the English language, and lose the confrontation without a single blow being struck by Lee. One of the final scenes Bruce filmed for the movie, featured a currently renowned director in Hong Kong, Samo Hung, who portrayed the 'Shaolin monk' Lee defeats in the opening segment of the movie.

 

English character actor Geoffrey Weeks appeared as the 'representative of interested governments' Brathwaite, while also featured following her success in 1972 Golden Harvest epic, Hap-Ki-Do Angela Mao Ying appears in Enter the Dragon as Bruce Lee's sister. Other notables were Shek Kin a favorite actor of Bruce Lee from his days with Shaw brothers, Jim Kelly as William's, who later found fame in the kung-fu / blaxploitation flick 'Black belt Jones' and Tony Liu who receives a mention as the sole actor to appear in all of Bruce Lee's completed movies. Jim Kelly described Bruce as a 'big fan' of Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) studying press reports of his boxing marches during the period. Bruce always very keen to hear about Ali had borrowed extensively from Ali's 'footwork' in much of his Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do footwork. Current Chinese movie idol Jackie Chan also appears in a stunt role in Enter the Dragon, in the Cave segment where Bruce 'breaks' his neck. (Jackie also doubled for the role of Suzuki in 'Fist of Fury' in the finale sequence where he is kicked backwards through a Japanese screen door.

 

On May 10th 1973, Bruce was working in the Golden Harvest dubbing room adding sound effects to the 'Enter the Dragon' fight Sequences. The ventilation was switched of on the humid warm evening, to prevent any extraneous noise reaching the soundtrack, in the stuffy isolation booths. Bruce began feeling dizzy and nauseous, and rushed to a restroom where he promptly fainted. After being absent over twenty minutes, a crew member was sent to find him, he saw Bruce Lee `groping' on the floor, pretending to look for his spectacles. Bruce returned with the technician to the dubbing suite, but again collapsed, this time experiencing convulsions. Bruce was rushed to nearby Baptist Hospital, where Dr:Thomas Langford, and Dr: Peter Woo, both Neurosurgeons, examined him.

 

Bruce Lee had experienced muscle contractions, and his breathing was abnormal, he was given manitol to reduce an apparent, unaccountable swelling of his brain tissue. After only a few hours a dramatic change in his condition occurred, he could smile to wife Linda, but his speech came slowly, and was slurred, his blood test's showed a possible kidney malfunction. Bruce recovers after 24 hours stating he "Felt near death..." but had refused to give up, fearing that if he did he would have died.

 

The Following Week on May 25th Bruce flies to the United States for a series of tests at the Los Angeles Medical Center performed by Drs. Harold Karpman, and David Reisbord. Bruce is given a clean bill of health, although significantly it is found his Brain has swelled, a brain scan, and brain-flow study are performed, as well as a complete physical, and EEG. They could detect no brain abnormalities, although were certain Bruce had suffered a 'cerebral-edema', or swelling of the fluid surrounding the brain. Also that he had suffered a 'Grand-Mal' idiopathic, a type of convulsion, due to no known cause, Bruce was prescribed 'Dilantin', to help prevent re-occurrence. And control this phenomenon, for which no explanation was forthcoming from the medical team. While in California, Bruce met with Dan Inosanto, and his Mother (now relocated in the United States) It was to be the last time they saw him alive. While in the United States he visited the Warner Brothers lot to view a rough-cut print of 'Enter the Dragon'. These contained editors crayon marks with no music effects, but was broadly a finished edit. Bruce was by all accounts delighted with the results, and felt he'd delivered a good film. Bruce shrewd enough to recognize a winner when he saw one. It must be stated though that most of the effective scenes from 'Enter the Dragon' were purely Bruce Lee's own ideas,such as the opening fight in the temple, added by Bruce to introduce the 'Lee' Character in the movie, this was ironically the final fight scene Bruce Lee ever shot, it features current Hong Kong legend Samo Hung as his 'rotund' acrobatic opponent. Other pivotal scenes Bruce insisted on adding were unfortunately destined for the cutting room floor in the western world. One such featuring an intense philosophical treatise from Bruce to actor Roy Chiao as 'Chief monk' does survive as a rather cod inclusion in the dire exploitation movie 'Game of Death II'.

 

These Lost scenes are now due to be re-inserted into a 25th anniversary edition of the movie due for release in 1998. Which features other such outakes from Enter the Dragon.

 

Back in Hong Kong he began to develop his 'Game of Death' project. He did not film any further segments, but instead concentrated on script and casting options. While in his office on July 10th 1973, he was drawn into an argument with his old adversary Lo Wei. Who boasted loudly within Bruce's earshot that Bruce Lee's success was entirely due to Lo Weo's directing abilities. Bruce harangued the old man, who stormed off. Only to be replaced by the ranting Mrs. Lo Wei, (who had signed Bruce Lee for the 'Big Boss role). Bruce incited further went once again to argue with his tormentor, who called the Police, accusing Bruce Lee of threatening him with a concealed Knife. Bruce told the Police unwisely that if he's wanted to Kill Lo he's have used only two fingers not a knife. This led to ugly scenes, and Bruce in an effort to quell further argument, signed a paper promising to leave Lo Wei in peace. Bruce regretted signing and this led him to make an unscheduled appearance on Hong Kong TVB to explain his actions, this was sadly Bruce Lee's final appearance on film. On HKTV-B Bruce attempted to put the record straight, but in an otherwise friendly environment, his every move was viewed negatively and he was further entrenched in controversy when in showing the TV host a move he'd supposedly made against Lo Wei, he appeared to strike a little to hard. An incredibly tormenting final interview for a philosophical and physical genius.

 

On Friday 20th July 1973, Bruce Lee had a restaurant appointment with Ex-James Bond, George Lazenby, and Hong Kong starlet Betty Ting Pei at the Hyatt hotel, where along with his partner Raymond Chow, would discuss future roles in 'Game of Death'. Bruce never arrived at the restaurant, on the way he stopped to pick up Ting Pei, and In a near carbon copy of his previous collapse in May, became severely ill complaining of a terrible headache while in the actress apartment. Ting Pei offered Bruce a painkilling tablet called 'Equagesic', a type of strong aspirin, to quell his headache...And he lay down to rest on her bed, Bruce Lee never recovered. Bruce Lee was pronounced dead on arrival at the Hong Kong Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

 

The Hong Kong press had a field day with rumor spread upon rumor, prior to his death Bruce was in the process of suing two Hong Kong titles for various slights and libels.

 

now with confusion over his death, and especially initial cover ups over the exact location of his demise lead to many sections of the local press issuing any and all lewd and lascivious tittle tattle, they could uncover or indeed in most cases concoct. Sadly this only served to muddy already murky waters which to the present day leaves a large section of the non martial arts public with a distorted view of the actual cause of Bruce Lee's death.

 

During the inquest, It later transpired that Bruce Lee had 'probably' suffered an allergic reaction to 'Meprobamate' an ingredient of the Pill, a verdict "Death by Misadventure" was recorded, which asked more questions than it answered. Bruce Lee received two funerals, a massive memorial on the streets on Hong Kong, in which tens of thousands of mourners turned out and stopped traffic for hours, followed by a more sedate private burial in Seattle, Washington, attended by friends and family only. In a strange post script to this biography, in March 1993 Brandon Bruce Lee, The highly promising film actor son of Bruce Lee, successful in his own right. Died, following a tragic firearms accident on the set of his 'breakthrough' Movie "The Crow". Evidence pointed to negligence, on the film set, when blank rounds were inadvertently mixed with live rounds. Brandon rests alongside his father at Lake view Cemetery, Seattle, Washington.

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Long, but informative. Thanks.