THE UGLY AMERICAN
(1963)
Directed by George Englund
Cast: Marlon Brando, Eiji Okada, Sandra Church, Pat Hingle, Arthur Hill, Jocelyn Brando, Kukrit Pramoj, Judson Pratt, Reiko Sato, George Shibata, Yee Tak Yip, Judson Laire, Carl Benton Reid, Philip Ober, Simon Scott, Frances Helm, James Yagi, John Day, Leon Lontoc, Bill Stout, Stefan Schnabel

This is a moving political commentary on the 1960's. It actually puts the American in a bad light as they deal with and/or in an Asian country. The plot goes as follows: The American ambassador is sent to the strife-torn nation of Sarkhan during the Cold War to keep the communists at bay. From his arrival, Brando is met with suspicion and hatred and begins to realize the even deeper political problems involved. As can be expected, this film was shot during the turbulent 60's! I don't know if this kind of film could be made now, considering the political atmosphere that prevails in the 90's. This production does allow some good performances by Asian / Asian Pacific Americans to be seen to a very large audience.

FATE IS THE HUNTER
(1964)
Director: Ralph Nelson
Writing Credits: Ernest K. Gann (book)
Script by Harold Medford
Produced by Aaron Rosenberg
Distributors: 20th Century Fox Film Corporation
Production Company: Areola Pictures
Original music by Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography by Milton R. Krasner
Film Editing by Robert L. Simpson
Art: Hilyard M. Brown, Jack Martin Smith
Set Decoration: Stuart A. Reiss, Walter M. Scott
Costume Design by Moss Mabry
Second Unit Director: Ad Schaumer
Special Effects: L.B. Abbott, Emil Kosa Jr.
Cast: Nancy Kwan, Glen Ford, Rod Taylor, Jane Russell, Wally Cox

Interesting movie where the first ten minutes (including credits) and the film's final ten minutes are very important to the plot. These segments tells the story of a man refuses to believe that pilot error caused a fatal crash, and persists in looking for another reason.

SIDE NOTES: Even though Nancy Kwan gets second billing, the film is really about the friendship between Glenn Ford and Rod Taylor. But she has a good supporting role as a scientist (an ichthyologist), which must have been a pretty unusual part for an Asian woman back then. She also contrasts nicely with Rod's fiancee, who is totally vain, fickle and White! It was good to see that Nancy (at that time, she was very popular with the studios!)

More details on the movie: Glenn Ford is a tenacious airline executive, leading an investigation, determined to clear the name of his WWII pilot friend. Rod Taylor is the seeming careless pilot, whose true character is revealed through conversations with his closest friends. Nancy Kwan is the pilot's scientist friend, whose brave smile hides an overwhelming sense of loss. And Suzette Pleshette is the flight attendant who must overcome her fear to help discover the truth. An aviation 'howdunnit' that will leave you guessing until the very end.

The movie was runner up for best motion picture of the year by the Mystery Writers of America, and that it was nominated for one Academy award. Milton Krasner was nominated in 1965 for an Oscar for "Best Cinematography" and Harold Medford was nominated for "Best Pictures" in the Edgar Allen Poe Awards! This in addition to the very talented Jerry Goldsmith. Witness his artistry as one of his amazing 251+ films that he has placed his composing skills upon!

BRUCE LEE AND
THE GREEN HORNET
  (1966-67)
Directors: William Beaudine, Norman Foster, Robert L. Friend, Murray Golden, E. Darrell Hallenbeck (as Darrel Hallenbeck), James Komack, Leslie H. Martinson, Larry Peerce, Allen Reisner, Seymour Robbie, George Waggner
Cast: Van Williams, Bruce Lee, Wende Wagner, Lloyd Gough, Walter Brooke

The plot is that Britt Reid, daring young owner/publisher of "The Daily Sentinel," dons a mask and fights crime as The Green Hornet. While the police and public believe the Hornet to be a ruthless criminal, the District Attorney knows Reid's secret identity, and welcomes his assistance in fighting racketeers and criminals.

Also assisting Reid in his crusade are his secretary, Lenore Case, and his faithful valet, Kato (Bruce Lee), who is a kung fu expert and who drives the sleek "Black Beauty," the Hornet's well armed car.

Click on the logo and you will discover that this tape contains three episodes from the campy, cartoonish 1960s TV series "The Green Hornet," featuring martial-arts legend (Bruce Lee (1940-1973) as the masked hero's Asian sidekick, Kato. The tape also includes (Bruce Lee's screen test, which led to his casting in the show. Although his kung fu stole all of the action scenes (establishing the pattern that Jet Li followed recently in "Romeo Must Die" with great success) from the title character (Williams), (Bruce was still forced to play Kato as either a white-jacketed "houseboy" or a masked chauffeur--in other words, as a subordinate!?!?!?! (Visit the Articles Section for more examples!?!?!)

Watching "The Green Hornet" today, it's fascinating to see (Bruce's lithe, lightning-like martial-arts moves. But at the same time, it's infuriating to see such a potential star cooped up in a subservient role. Still, this video is a good opportunity to see some of Bruce's work before his rise to kung fu stardom in Hong Kong. And judging by the title of the tape, it looks like Bruce gets the last laugh. (Interesting tidbit: Burt Ward, of Batman T.V. Show fame, thought that he could "beat-up" on (Bruce during an episode where Batman and Robin team up with the Green Hornet & Kato. Burt, after witnessing Bruce's skills, was petrified during the shoot in the fear that he would be severly injured!?!?!

PARADISE HAWAIIAN STYLE
  (1966)
Directors: Michael Moore
Cast: Elvis Presley, Suzanna Leigh, James Shigeta, Donna Butterworth, Mariana Hill, Irene Tsu, Linda Wong, Julie Parrish, Jan Shepard, John Doucette, Philip Ahn, Mary Treen, Don Collier, Chanin Hale, Doris Packer, Grady Sutton, Gigi Verone

James Shigeta plays Elvis' partner in a helicopter tour company and an excuse to hear Elvis sing his many drab songs in this tired plot that is typical of many of Elvis' movies. Besides the many women (many of them are Asians), we see Mr. Shigeta being portrayed as an equal and not as the "token" Asian/Asian Pacific American! The 1960's have treated him well and in many roles that Asian Pacific Americans are not receiving today.