KUNG FU: BLOOD OF DRAGONS {PART 1 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
One in this stylized western series about Kwai Chang Caine, a peace-loving Shaolin monk of American and Chinese parentage who flees China for the American West after killing a member of the Chinese royal family.
In China, students are selected in a monastery by a mysterious robed figure to hunt down Caine in the name of the “Order of the Avenging Dragon” in retribution for their failure to protect the emperor’s nephew from being killed by Caine years ago.
Meanwhile, in America, Caine identifies a dead body that turns out to be his grandfather, Henry Raphael Caine, whom he had previously met once. Caine buries his body and is praying for him when he is found by Dr. George Baxter, a man who says he knew Henry. It is believed that Henry died in a fire, but Caine says he found a bullet embedded in Henry’s chest, indicating that he was murdered. Caine vows to find his grandfather’s killer. Meanwhile, the three assassins sent for Caine prepare themselves for the confrontation.
Dr. Baxter visits an old woman named Sara Kingsley and informs her of Henry’s death; she seems nonplussed. Neither she nor Dr. Baxter know why Henry returned from Lordsville. Dr. Baxter also informs Margit and Johnny McLean of Henry’s death. Margit did not know Henry, but Johnny’s behavior upon hearing the news leads her to suspect that he knows more than he’s letting on.
Caine visits the burned-out remains of the cabin where Henry died. He finds a bible amid the ruins and peruses it, noticing that a passage concerning the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is underlined, specifically the passage concerning Death. Margit confronts Dr. Baxter about Henry’s death, but Caine arrives before she can find out anything and she leaves, but not before learning Caine’s identity. Caine has a flashback to his childhood when he first met Master Po. Caine speaks to Dr. Baxter about the bible, noting the underlined passage and the inscription in the front reading “in memoriam” to his grandfather; the inscription was written prior to Henry’s death, indicating that it was written by someone who knew he was going to die.
Margit confronts Sara and Johnny about Henry’s death, but they are evasive. Margit notes that the bible Caine found is remarkably similar in appearance to Sara’s own book collection. She cannot get any answers and leaves. Meanwhile, Dr. Baxter’s young apprentice discovers Caine’s wanted poster in the town post office; Dr. Baxter wishes to conceal it to protect Caine. Caine recalls Master Po giving him a lesson about ambition and telling him of his desire to one day journey to the Forbidden City.
Margit approaches Caine and they speak briefly before being interrupted by Johnny, who threatens Caine before getting in a fistfight with him. Caine repels Johnny and his men’s assault. Johnny accidentally wounds himself in the fight and retreats with Margit to Dr. Baxter’s office. There, Margit discovers the wanted poster and hides it from Johnny. After Johnny leaves, Margit sends a telegram informing the Chinese legation in San Francisco of Caine’s location. The three assassins ride out to find Caine.
Dr. Baxter calls in Caine and tells him that the wanted poster was taken, but Caine already knows and elects not to do anything. Dr. Baxter reveals that long ago, he and Henry were friends, but they both fell in love with Sara and it ended their friendship. He also reveals that Henry and Sara had a daughter who was the mother of Margit and Johnny, making them related to Caine. Caine realizes the inscription on the bible was made by Sara. He recalls a conversation he had long ago with Master Po about his desire to seek his past.
Sara berates Johnny for his foolish actions with Caine. Margit interrupts, asking why she isn’t a part of their plans before leaving. Sara indicates that she wants Johnny to kill Caine, but he seems uncomfortable with the idea.
Margit confesses that she sent the telegram to Caine, but tells her he already knows and bears her no ill will. He believes she did so only to protect her brother. When she tells him to leave, he tells her he is honor-bound to stay. He goes out into the desert to meet with the three assassins. He remembers he and Master Po’s journey to the Forbidden City, when Master Po was killed by the guards of the emperor’s nephew. Caine, enraged, killed the nephew in return. In his dying words, Master Po forgives Caine for this deed and tells him to flee the country, giving him his pouch before dying. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 14, 1974 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:55
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:10060
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1972-1975
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV – Commercials – Burger King restaurants
- TV – Commercials – Crest toothpaste
- TV – Commercials – Doritos chips
- TV – Commercials – Glory rug cleaner
- TV – Commercials – Holiday Inn hotels
- TV – Commercials – MG automobiles
- TV – Commercials – Minute Maid orange juice
- TV – Commercials – Pledge surface cleaner
- TV – Commercials – Sure antiperspirant spray
- TV – Commercials – Toyota automobiles
CREDITS
- Jerry Thorpe … Executive Producer
- Herman Miller … Producer
- Alex Beaton … Producer
- Richard Lang … Director
- Ed Spielman … Created by
- John T. Dugan … Writer
- Jim Helms … Music by
- David Carradine … Cast, Kwai Chang Caine
- Patricia Neal … Cast, Sara Kingsley
- Season Hubley … Cast, Margit Kingsley McLean
- Eddie Albert … Cast, Dr. George Baxter
- Edward Albert … Cast, Johnny Kingsley McLean
- Philip Ahn … Cast, Master Kan
- Keye Luke … Cast, Master Po
- Radames Pera … Cast, Young Caine
- Clyde Kusatsu … Cast, Lama Campo Kushog, Han Su Lok
- Tom Reese … Cast, Sheriff
- Kay E. Kuter … Cast, Vinnie
- Kerry MacLane … Cast, Richie
- Tad Horino … Cast, Cowled Head
- Kam Yuen … Cast, Wong Ti
- Wilber Chang … Cast, Sun Lo
- Jake Sheffield … Cast, Perkins
- Basil Hoffman … Cast, Telegrapher