Thursday Television Review: The Green Hornet

The Green Hornet (Van Williams) and Kato (Bruce Lee)

The Green Hornet (1966-1967)

Starring: Van Williams, Bruce Lee, Walter Brooke, Wende Wagner, Lloyd Gough

Summary

Young newspaper editor, Britt Reid (Van Williams), has inherited his father’s newspaper – The Daily Sentinel. A quick and thorough newspaper man, he runs the company well with his top reporter Mike Axford (Lloyd Gough) and his loyal secretary Miss Case (Wende Wagner). Yet, mostly by night, he is the Green Hornet with his companion and butler, Kato (Bruce Lee). Together they stop the city’s most dangerous criminals and gangs. However, by the police, they are not considered honest crime-fighters, but rather villains. They work together, just out of grasp from the police, using their guise as bad guys to get in on the true villains, only to take them down. The only one on his side is District Attorney Frank Scanlon (Walter Brooke) who helps The Green Hornet clean up the town and keeps his secret!

Review

The Green Hornet is adventurous and brings out the spy games that make for a fun television show. Made by the people who created Batman in the 1960s, there are similar themes in both. The contrast, however, is that where Batman is slightly more campy (albeit just as much fun!), The Green Hornet takes on a darker, more serious tone. Instead of just a fist fight with “Zap!” or “Pow!” you now have Kung Fu that can be devastating. It is rare that there is a death in Batman, whereas death is fairly common in The Green Hornet. The gangs are more serious and dangerous, nevertheless, making for a more realistic experience. The two television shows are featured in each other and even the characters make appearances on the other’s show!

Kato, the Green Hornet, Batman, and Robin on Batman

“And we are both quite flexible!” Kato in Batman

Van Williams is always dapper in his green overcoat and Bruce Lee makes for a fantastic companion – never losing a fight. The two of them are in better physical shape than most people from that generation. Lloyd Gough (reporter Mike Axford) does a good job of portraying the “Lois Lane” type reporter who gets himself into all kinds of trouble while constantly accusing the Green Hornet of more evils. Bruce Lee was introduced on this television series, helping him gain popularity and begin a career as a Kung Fu artist.

The Black Beauty is indeed a work of beauty! One of the best superhero cars ever (and yes, I think it’s better than the Bat Mobile!). It is equipped with every crime fighting need and can even be controlled by remote. Nothing can beat the garage system that Britt Reid has with an interchangeable car system!

Kato (Bruce Lee) with the Black Beauty 

The Green Hornet touches on issues that are much deeper than simply thievery. Narcotics, serial killers, and mad scientists are seen to be overthrown by him. It was made more controversial due to the fact that the Green Hornet is seen by all (except his few confidants and the audience) as a villain. While this seems rather dark and more than should be seen by children, it is definitely tame compared to today’s films. The topics are discussed, but not in-depth and there isn’t the eye-full of blood and guts that is seen in even today’s “appropriate” television shows and movies.

Sadly only one season, The Green Hornet is well worth the watching!

Kato, Miss Case, and Britt Reid

Author’s favorite: Bad Bet on a 459 – Silent

Ellen Nolan

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