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| The 2017 Version of the 1960's TV Duo |
The origins or the Green Hornet and Kato
Created by George Trendle & Fran Striker in 1936 as a Radio Serial for the Broadcasting company WXYZ based out of Detroit that had already had a hit with their Lone Ranger Serial.
Unlike The Lone Ranger who's adventures where based in the Old West, the Green Hornet was based in the modern time the 1930's
Although the back story of the main characters has been adapted and slightly changed over the years, mainly to allow for the character to exist in the modern era, The Green Hornet has stayed true to his humble beginnings.
Wealthy Newspaper Publisher Britt Reid owner of the Daily Sentinel by day, by night he becomes Green masked vigilante , The Green Hornet.
He is helped by the Kato, who by day is Britt Reid's Chauffeur - Body Guard and Valet. BUT by night he dons a Black Mask and helps his employer fight crime.
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| Kato Master of all Oriental Fighting Skills |
Unlike Britt Reid, Kato does not have a secret code name. His back ground too varies from Being Filipino, to Korean, Japanese to Chinese. These changes reflected the times from Pre second World War to post War Years. It is now accepted Kato is of Chinese origin.
The Third character in the Serial was the Green Hornet's trusty Car.... The Black Beauty. Which was also a normal looking car by day, but by night had rocket launchers, flame throwers and machine guns popping up from under its body work.
The TV series Black Beauty may not have been a flashy as the TV Bat-Mobil but she sure had some firepower.
Like the Lone Ranger and Tonto, The Green Hornet and Kato soon found fame on the silver screen, but are most remembered for their TV series in the 1960's, with Van Williams playing Britt Reid aka The Green Hornet and the then unknown Bruce Lee as Kato. The Fighting Skills and Athletic Skills of Bruce Lee help usher in the Age of all things KUNG - FU
Along with the Black Beauty, the Green Hornet & Kato had many weapon in their arsenal. From Walking Canes that transformed into Guns and Fighting Staffs, to Throwing Stars, Daggers and Hornet Darts. the Green Hornet maybe did not have a Bat Utility Belt, but he had his fare share of toys.
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| The Green Hornet & Kato dressed for Action |
However, beginning in 1966 The Green Hornet did not have the same effect on TV as had Batman, and the series only lasted 26 episodes and was cancelled in 1967 a year before Batman also got cancelled.
On the whole the series was good, but times and tastes had started to change from Crime Drama's to more Sci Fi Based Adventures
When I was researching The green Hornet I never realised that the concept of him was always to be a modern day legacy of the Lone Ranger.
The Writer connected the two main characters as both being family. The Lone Ranger sometimes given the name John Reid was the Brother of Daniel Reid (who had been the Captain of the Texas Rangers who had been massacred thus causing the origin of the Masked Man of the West.)
In turn the Ranger would later adopt his late Brothers Son Dan Junior who would join him and Tonto in his adventures. After Dan Junior retired from Crime Fighting, he married and had two sons, Jack & Britt. This the same Britt Reid would be the 1930's Green Hornet.
In addition to allow Heroes to Grow Up it is now accepted that the 1960's Britt Reid would be the son of the original Hornet...... Completed or WHAT !!!!!
So The Lone Ranger is The Great Great Uncle to the Green Hornet. ..... I do not think Tonto is related to Kato in any way !!!!!!.
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| Two Sets of Heroes related and on the same agenda |
Nest Time a Hero from the past who lived in a Future as as imagined in the 1950's
Until Then ENJOY
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