From 1936-52, the "Flight of the Bumblebee" signaled another episode of the Green Hornet. The popular juvenile did an amazing amount of buzzing! Created by team of producer George Trendle and director James Jewell, The Green Hornet has some of the same pace as the western Masked Man.
The Green Hornet's saved the life of Kato somewhere during his travels in the Far East and Kato became a loyal friend. Kato's ethnicity throughout the show's run is ambiguously Asian—ranging from Japanese, to Filipino, to Korean, to Chinese. Kato was a fierce fighter, skilled driver, and all around best pal.
Movie serials in 1940's made The Green Hornet all the more popular on radio. Al Hodge played Britt from '36-'43, with Raymond Hayashi (changed to Ray Toyo after WW II began) creating Kato. The Sentinal staff reporters worked on the facts along with Reid. Lenore 'Casey' Case was played by Lenore Allman. Bob Lowry does the reportorially-challanged stooge, Michael Axford. A young Mike Wallace (of early interview TV and 60 Minutes fame) was one of the young announcers!
The Green Hornet is a super-hero something like Superman, Blue
Beetle, and Batman. Both Clark Kent and Britt Reid are journalists (Britt actually owns the Daily Sentinel). Comparisons are often made between the crime fighting duo Batman and Robin to The Green Hornet and Kato. Britt Reid is like Batman in that they ordinary mortals (faking playboy-types), allowing Kato, his chauffeur, to be Robin-like. Both The Green Hornet and Batman drive cool cars. Britt Reed's sleek, super powered "Black Beauty" is certainly a match for the Batmobile. This resemblance was given a nod in the television version of Batman when The Green Hornet and Kato made two memorable cameos.
The Green Hornet made a brief appearance on television with martial arts master Bruce Lee as Kato and Van Williams as the Green Hornet. Bruce Lee shot into cult martial art films stardom, unfortunately the Green Hornet television show was canceled after just one season.
For more adventure, see alsoDick
Tracy
|