#953 - Bruce Lee

Description

ALS signed “Bruce,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, Twentieth Century Fox Television Inc. letterhead, no date, but envelope postmarked November 3, 1966. Letter to to Taky Kimura, his top student and confidant. In full: “A letter to let you know that the ‘Preying Mantis’ episode will be on the 18th of Nov., which is 2 weeks from this Friday (we’re pre-empty [sic] because of a special). Also, a week after that ‘The Hunter & the Hunted’, an episode in which I do Gung Fu without the mask.

The show is doing bad, rating wise. Dozier is trying to make it go by changing it into an hour show. Whether or not we can change it remains to be seen. For our sake, we better. Next week I’m doing a pictorial layout of Gung Fu in color in the Doger [sic] stadium for T.V. Guide. You know, whether or not this show will go, the show will last at least till March. So Gung Fu will have enough exposure and so is Kato, Bruce Lee. The schools will definitely go. I’ll discuss with you in more detail. I’m preparing for it. Let’s make use of this opportunity buddy. Take care.”

In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed by Lee; a pencil notation in another hand on the reverse of the envelope reads, “Let Fred Sato and different friends / know of this coming episode ' The / Preying Mantis.'"

Despite combating a Tong war in Chinatown in ‘The Preying Mantis’ and looking into dead racketeers in ‘The Hunter and the Hunted,’ Lee was right if he saw trouble on the horizon for the Green Hornet and Kato. The series, produced by William Dozier, aired its last episode in March 1967 before being relegated to pop culture history. However, the subsequent rise of Lee as a major movie star ensured continued interest after its cancellation. Fabulous content with the martial artist focusing on his famed television character as well as Gung Fu. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.