Source Quotes
These Fists Break Bricks: How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World
Second Edition, Revised and Expanded (Running Press, 2025)

2
Parry doubled for “all the little guys”, as he called them, like Lorre, Edward G. Robinson, and Cagney. Los Angeles Times obituary, September 20, 1985

4
Yamashita “calmly sat at the head of the stairs...hurled them back down again.” E.J. Harrison, Budokwai Quarterly Journal, 1946

“Do you boys understand jiu- jitsu?” Robert Johnstone Mooney, The Outlook, October 24, 1923

Women in the United Kingdom learned judo “to make them better able to look after themselves when out late at night.” Quote from “Women Learn Jiu-Jitsu— Classes in England devoted to Japanese art of self-defense,” The New York Times, December 24, 1926

Chicago policewomen were ordered to learn judo “to fit them for emergency encounters.” Quote from “Policewomen to Wrestle—Course i Jiu-Jitsu to Make Chicago’s Female Force More Effective,” The New York Times, Sunday, March 8, 1914

5
“Kind friends held Eddie’s head while he heaved up everything but his Adam’s apple,” Ed Hughes, The Seattle Times, September 3, 1909

“After a lot of slapping and kneading, Braun’s eyelids finally fluttered, and in a half gasp he wanted to know if many were killed when the roof fell in.” Ed Hughes, The Seattle Times, November 13, 1909

“Ito threw his opponent...and choked him breathless in three minutes.” Henry Furukawa, The Seattle Post- Intelligencer, May 21, 1911

“scratching their heads trying to think of some white man who can beat him.” Ed Hughes, The Seattle Times

6
“Ito threw Santell [sic] around the ring like a bag of sawdust...” Howard Angus, Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1917

7
“Harder and harder he applied the lock. Bonner [sic] was groaning from the pain, but he still wouldn’t give up.”
Sego Murakami interviewed in Black Belt, March 1967

“We aren’t looking for a fight,” said Dave Beck, International Vice-President of the union. “But if anybody else wants one, our boys will be able to take care of themselves.” quoted from
“Union Takes Up JuJitsu - Seattle Truck Drivers Aim to be ‘Big, Strong Men,” The New York Times, June 16, 1937

“their salaries at the Radium Institute are inadequate.”
“Mme. Joliot-Curie Gives Jujitsu Lessons in Paris,” The New York Times, October 31, 1937

“science of killing without weapons” quoted from “Jiu-Jitsu for Police,” The Sunday Inter Ocean (Chicago), October 7, 1900

8
“I started out as a child with a hostility toward all of mankind,” Letter to Black Belt published under the name John Halloran, May 1967

One student remembers him as “a big kid” Oral History interview with Clyde Tichenor, March 23, 2013, part of the Manzanar National Historic Site Collection

“humble pride...and fellowship. Since that time, I’ve been a very changed man.” Letter to Black Belt published under the name John Halloran, May 1967

9
“tempest in a teapot” quote from “Investigators Clear L.A. Judo Officer,” Long Beach Independent, September 3, 1944

10
“an art of treachery....It is typical of the Japanese and should not be allowed in any American institution.” Police Commissioner Al Cohn interviewed in “Judo Instruction for L.A. Police Abandoned,” San Bernardino Daily Sun, September 7, 1944

“Judo,” Sergel told the papers. “Makes the weak strong, the small man large.” quote from
“Southland Japanese Renew Judo Contest,” Los Angeles Times, November 14, 1949

12
“We’ve got to be tough to win, and we’ve got to be ruthless...” Get Tough, William Fairbairn, 1942

Applegate liked to say, “Do unto others as they would do unto you, but do it first.” Kill or Be Killed, Rex Applegate, 1943

14
According to the Times, the Blood Brothers roamed the city, “Whites Are Target of Harlem Gang,” Junius Griffin, The New York Times, May 3, 1964

“In the six weeks since the riot, the Blood Brothers have intensified their training...” “Harlem: The Tension Underneath,” Junius Griffin, The New York Times, May 29, 1964

“China is colored, and knows to what the colored skin...” quoted from “China and Africa,” The World and Africa: An Inquiry into the Part Which Africa Has Played in World History, W.E.B. Du Bois, 1972

“If you’re interested in freedom, you need some judo...” quoted from speech by Malcolm X, “It Shall Be the Ballot or the Bullet,” Washington Heights, March 29, 1964

“trained in the Oriental fighting art of Karate.” Quoted from “Police to Keep Eye on Muslim Rally,” UPI article, Press and Sun Bulletin, February 26, 1963

“Why does Judo…” quoted from The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Alex Haley and Malcolm X, 1965

17
Bursting out laughing, Moore said “I’ll give you that one. See if you can stop mine.” video interview with Victor Moore, 2012

18
“If karate is to become a popular spectator sport...” letter from Judy Readler, Black Belt, September 1964,

“a real mess.” quote from George Mattson, “Bruce Lee Put US Martial Arts on the Grand Stage in Long Beach 50 Years Ago,” Chris Trevino, Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA), August 1, 2014

19
“Teachers should never impose...” Bruce Lee quoted in Striking Distance: Bruce Lee & The Dawn of Martial Arts in America, Charles Russo, 2016

an “Oriental actor who speaks English and can handle action.” Bruce Lee: A Life, Matthew Polly, 2018

20
so that Run Run could “keep an eye on them.” Run Run Shaw footage, quoted in Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks, 2019

21
“Shaws will break with tradition...”  “Colour Wuxia Century,” Southern Screen, October 1965

25
“You can take away my gun...” “We would all go there because…” Interview with Warrington Hudlin, Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks, 2019

“We had one theater...” “We’d get there as early in the morning as possible,” author interview with Dennis Brown, 2019

26
“Run Run Shaw only had one answer: no,” 
“If you can make a film about judo against karate...”
“I told him, this script will make you a lot of money,
author interview with Jimmy Wong Yu, New York City, 2016

30
Karate, The Hand of Death – author interview with John Sandstrom, 2020

31
“There are no stunt men who know karate...” Rick Jason interviewed in “Luck of the Irish Follows Rick Jason,” The Hammond Times (Hammond, IN), November 13, 1960

“Well...It’s hard to show it alone...” Bruce Lee screen test footage

33
“To me, Caine is a fool,” David Carradine interviewed in “The Shaolin Priest of Laurel Canyon,” Lorraine Zenka Smith, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2, June 1974

“I found myself getting caught up in the mystical, political importance of this thing,” Endless Highway, David Carradine, 1995

40
“We Koreans,” director Chung Chang-Hwa told him. “We get it done.” Chung Chang-Wha: The Man of Action! Korean Cinema Retrospective, Pusan International Film Festival

“No one got killed while working on my films...” Chung Chang-Wha: The Man of Action! Korean Cinema Retrospective, Pusan International Film Festival

41
“What do you think of it?” Greenfield asked after it ended. Interview with Terry Levene, Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks, 2019

42
the NAACP who accused them of “cultural genocide.” Junius Griffin quoted in “The New Films: Culture or Con Game,” BJ Mason, Ebony, December 1972

44
“...is geared to crushing a person’s spirit,” Victor Marrerro, director of Bronx Model Cities Program, quoted in “Rage Permeates All Facets of Life in the South Bronx,” Martin Tolchin, The New York Times, January 17, 1973

“a necropolis — a city of death.”
Dr. Harold Wise, founder of the Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center, quoted in “South Bronx: A Jungle Stalked by Fear, Seized by Rage,” Martin Tolchin, The New York Times, January 15, 1973

“just about any and everything could be bought...” Mike Bosack, NYPD historian, writing on his blog, quoted by Mark Toor “Durk, Who Helped Cleanse NYPD in ‘70s, Dies at 77,” The Chief-Leader, November 19, 2012

46
“I believe very strongly that America is headed for a racial conflict.” “What the book essentially did was…”

Interview with David Duke, The New York Times News Service, February 20, 1978

48
“What’s going on, Howard?” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

50
“Put it there,” Vee King said” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

On the promotional circuit for her new movie...“Five Fingers of Death!” Tatum O’Neal quoted in “Tatum and Ryan – Look Closely, It’s the Same Jaw,” Judy Klemesrud, The New York Times, May 20, 1973

51
“harrowing” Jim Markovic interviewed in “Cutting Doctor Butcher: An Interview with Editor Jim Markovic”, 2016, Severin Films

Author interviews with Jim Markovic, March 6 and April 27, 2020

52
“I was told it was going to be about teachers who break away...” Chuck Norris interviewed in Los Angeles Times, May 19, 1985

54
“Need a job?” he asked. Chung Chang-Wha: The Man of Action! Korean Cinema Retrospective, Pusan International Film Festival

56
“He insisted that Bruce Lee’s character should suppress his anger...” Louis Sit interviewed in “Good Business is the Best Art: Louis Sit on the Management Stle of Golden Harvest,” Golden Harvest: Leading Change in Changing Times, by Hong Kong Film Archives, 2013

“As the movie progressed...” Mel Tobias, interviewed by Matthew Polly, Bruce Lee: A Life, 2018

“Who gets to win?” Norris asked. Bruce Lee: A Life by Matthew Polly, 2018

59
“There are only two people on this set who give a shit...” Robert Clouse interviewed in “Robert Clouse, Hollywood’s Premiere Martial Arts Director,” Stuart Goldman, Kick Illustrated, January 1981 & February 1981

61
“Viewers will gasp at the gore...” Fists of Fury reviewed in Catholic Film Newsletter, May 30, 1973

“The two I’ve just seen…” he sniffed...” 
“Have You Seen Shu Lately? ‘Shu Who?’”, Vincent Canby, The New York Times, May 13, 1973

62
“I took Angela Mao to Australia...” Andre Morgan interview, Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks, 2019

68
“probably the worst karate film ever made...” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “Serafim Karalexis Speaks!” David Anthony Kraft, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #32, January 1977

69
“They’re bringing us in a lot of people...” Fred Hamilton interviewed in “Kung-Fu Films Irk the Experts,” Laurie Johnston, The New York Times, November 26, 1973

“At Shaw Brothers, every time I needed help...” author interview with Jimmy Wong Yu, New York City, 2016

71
“real trash” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “Serafim Karalexis Speaks!” David Anthony Kraft, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #32, January 1977

76-77
The Dynamite Brothers - author interview with Sam Sherman, 2017

79
“a life-saving cash flow” quoted from “$11,106,237 To Chop Socky Pics in US Playoff,” Variety, May 8, 1974

81
“I didn’t want my bosses...” Leonore Fleischer interviewed in Films Into Books: An Analytical Bibliography of Film Novelizations, Movie, and TV Tie-Ins, Randall D. Larson, 1995

“When I had a full-time job...” Leonore Fleischer interviewed in “If You Liked the Movie, You’ll Love the Book by Leonore Fleischer,” People, April 4, 1977

96
“death by misadventure,” Bruce Lee: A Life, Matthew Polly, 2018

97
“such a ripoff you can just about hear the film tear” quoted from “Logan’ Satisfactory Escapism, Too Light for Orbit,” Edward L. Blank, The Pittsburgh Press, June 24, 1976

99
“When I was two years old...” author interview with Marco Joachim, 2012 & 2013

100
“Nobody liked it…” author interview with Larry Joachim, 2012

“The all put it down” author interview with Marco Joachim, 2012 & 2013

101
“As we approached 42nd Street…” “You want Bruce Lee?” author interview with Marco Joachim, 2012 & 2013

107
“I wanted to find some Bruce Lee Footage” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

126
“like a two-by-four across the bridge of the nose.” Terry Levene interviewed in Iron Fists & Kung Fu Kicks, 2019

131
“kung fu shows the power of mind over matter.” Bruce Le interviewed in “The Selling of Bruce Le to American TV,” Sandra Segal [as Peter Gast], Martial Arts Movies, February 1982

133
“Don’t put women on a poster” author interview with Marcus Boas, 2020

136
“awestruck mobs of curious citizens” quoted from “Yusha!” Joyce Van Arg, Fighting Stars, Spring 1977

142
Author interviews with Jim Markovic, March 6 and April 27, 2020

Author interview with Wayne Weil, January 2020

147
“like Bruce Lee” quote from Dave Donnelly’s Hawaii column, Honolulu Star-Bulletin & Advertiser, August 7, 1977

“Honolulu’s own Myron Bruce Lee” Death Dimension newspaper ad, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, April 18, 1979

154
“nearly burst a corporate blood vessel…” quoted from “Don’t Cry for 42nd Street,” Edward Justin, Variety, January 7, 1942

155
“People that didn’t know what to do with their time...” author interview with Taimak, 2019

156
“These pictures were old enough to vote” William Mishkin interviewed in The Ghastly One: The Sex-Gore Netherworld of Director Andy Milligan, Jimmy McDonough, 2003

162
“When the action in a film slows down…” Harry Hope interviewed in “Action Bam-Bam! Dollars Bam-Bam! How Harry Hope Makes Dollars from Low-Budget Chop-Sockeys,” Charles Lucas, Martial Arts Movies, November 1981

164
“On October 17, 1923…” from “Eerie Fanfare,” Eerie #44, December 1972

166
“outright exploitation fare” quoted from “Terry Levene’s calculated shift from Porn to ‘Graphic Violence,’” Variety, July 17, 1974

174
“Everybody thought I was a nut...” author interview with Mel Maron, 2019

177
“Even our sexually oriented films don’t denigrate women...” Joan DeAnda interviewed in “A Woman’s Place Is in... Exploitation Films?” Linda Gross, Los Angeles Times, February 12, 1978

180
“First time he called me…” author interview with Larry Joachim, 2012

181
“Wherever I went, Ivory went,” author interview with Mel Maron, 2019

185
“the Japanese gangster film” “period samurai films” quoted from “Yakuza-Eiga: A Primer,” Paul Schrader, Film Comment, January-February 1974

“a film of stunning beauty and power” Goyokin reviewed by Kevin Thomas, “Goyokin at Toho Attacks Feudal Code,” Los Angeles Times, September 1, 1969

187
“It was pretty far out,” Robert Shaye interviewed in “’The Street Fighter’ Scratches a Niche,” Donald Liebenson, Los Angeles Times, January 28, 1996

“I didn’t like ripping out vocal cords.” Sonny Chiba interviewed in The Street Fighter Collection Blu-ray special feature, “Street Fighting Man: An Interview with Sonny Chiba,” Shout! Factory, 2018

“the natural successor to Bruce Lee,” The Street Fighter ad campaign, New Line Cinema, 1975

“should cause a sensation” The Street Fighter reviewed in Boxoffice, December 16, 1974

188
“a mess of faked blood...” The Street Fighter reviewed by Ernest Leogrande, “Japanese Film Kung Phooey,” Daily News, January 31, 1975

“sickening and slick,” “nonstop eye-gouging...” The Street Fighter reviewed by Linda Gross, “‘Street Fighter’ Bloodied but Unbowed,” Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1975

192
“The standard kung fu feature will be dead by summer...” Samuel Z. Arkoff interviewed in “The Dime-Store Way to Make Movies — And Money,” Aljean Harmetz, The New York Times, August 4, 1974

“one of nature’s androgynous wonders...” Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold reviewed by Vincent Canby, The New York Times, July 12, 1975

195
“I don’t think any of my films are good...” author interview with Jimmy Wong Yu, New York City, 2016

“went for a bit of outrageous...Tom and Jerry Chinese style...” Brian Trenchard-Smith interviewed in “Notes on Australasia” by Frank Bren, Border Crossing in Hong Kong Cinema, 2000

196
“Jimmy is going to try to broker...” I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action by Jackie Chan and Jeff Yang, 1998

198
“I never got paid for that one...” Alan Silvestri interviewed in “Composer Hits a High Note ‘Overnight,’” John Stanley, San Francisco Examiner, November 9, 1986

200
“We got my man Easy Al from 26th street...”, Coke La Rock interviewed by Troy L. Smith, thafoundation.com, September 1, 2008

201
“You must concede that this Bronx slum...” Robert Moses quoted in “Future Looks Bleak for the South Bronx,” Martin Tolchin, The New York Times, January 18, 1973

202
“roach-infested, rat-infested...” “My students were rough kids...” author interview with Charles Bonet, 2019

“No disrespect to my old neighborhood...” author interview with Dennis Brown, 2019

203
“They needed it...” author interview with Dennis Brown, 2019

203-204
“48 year old West Orange, NJ carpenter...” quoted from “Accent on Spectacular At Martial Arts Festival” New York Amsterdam News, April 30, 1975

204
“I was out of my mind…” Owen Wat-son interviewed in “Found: A Haven in Karate,” Anne Darling, Karate Illustrated, January 1974

206
“The movie business is a toy...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Jim Kelly and Ron Van Clief: America’s Lost Martial Arts Stars,” Caroline Siegal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1981

“You won’t get the part...” Jim Kelly interviewed in Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak by Andrew J. Rausch, Christopher Watson, and David Walker, 2009

“a stepping stone to get on the screen,” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Beating a Path Toward Superstardom,” Lou Gaul, Fighting Stars, December 1975

“acting would give me everything...” Jim Kelly interviewed in Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak by Andrew J. Rausch, Christopher Watson, and David Walker, 2009

207
“There is also precisely the right touch…” Black Belt Jones reviewed by Tony Isabella, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #3, August 1974

208
“I am not very happy about that...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Beating a Path Toward Superstardom,” Lou Gaul, Fighting Stars, December 1975

“an incredible experience...” Jim Kelly interviewed in Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak by Andrew J. Rausch, Christopher Watson, and David Walker, 2009

209
“I could beat Frazier, Ali, and George Foreman...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Beating a Path Toward Superstardom,” Lou Lou Gaul, Fighting Stars, December 1975

“I split one guy’s skull...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Beating a Path Toward Superstardom,” Lou Gaul, Fighting Stars, December 1975

“a bunch of bull.” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Beating a Path Toward Superstardom,” Lou Gaul, Fighting Stars, December 1975

“After this year, I will be the number one black star...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Beating a Path Toward Superstardom,” Lou Gaul, Fighting Stars, December 1975

“The best martial arts film since Enter the Dragon…” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Jim Kelly and Ron Van Clief: America’s Lost Martial Arts Stars,” Caroline Siegal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1981

“No one expected it to be…” Hot Potato reviewed by David Anthony Kraft, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #27, August 1976

210
“The whites were no longer there.” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

“And since no Hong Kong film...” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

“This time I’m so crazy...” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

211
“These superhero type movies...” Ron Van Clief interviewed in “Jim Kelly and Ron Van Clief: America’s Lost Martial Arts Stars,” Caroline Siegal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1981

213
“Come on, Ron...” author interview with Charles Bonet, 2019

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

214
“slick, stagy, and among the best shows in New York.”
“Found: A Haven in Karate” by Anne Darling, Karate Illustrated, January 1974

“Our dojo was a circle of crazy.” author interview with Glenn Perry, 2020

“A broken leg is nothing,” author interview with Glenn Perry, 2019

“This was probably the film I liked the most...” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “The Saga of Serafim Karalexis,” Sandra Segal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1982

216
“I think it’s the last of my karate pictures,” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “Serafim Karalexis Speaks!” David Anthony Kraft, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #32, January 1977

“a tough man to work under...” Bill Swift interviewed in “The Origins of Sho Nuff: Forgotten Fury: The Masters of the Red Glow,” @illmaticalmind, Medium.com, December 10, 2018

“He was a street guy,” Bill Swift interviewed in “The Origins of Sho Nuff: Forgotten Fury: The Masters of The Red Glow,” @illmaticalmind, Medium.com, December 10, 2018

“Now that I look at it...” Serafim Karalexis interviewed in “Serafim Karalexis Speaks!” David Anthony Kraft, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #32, January 1977

220
“We can’t afford Jim Kelly!” author interview with Marco Joachim, 2012 & 2013

222
“Honolulu’s own Myron Bruce Lee” Death Dimension advertisement, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, April 18, 1979

223
“White America just was not and is not ready for a black hero...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Jim Kelly and Ron Van Clief: America’s Lost Martial Arts Stars,” Caroline Siegal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1981

224
“There is nothing else...” Ron Van Clief interviewed in “The Black Dragon,” James Testa, Fighting Stars, April 1978

227
“No one believed in him...” author interview with Glen Perry, 2020

“the three defendants escaped...” quoted from “3 Bronx Youths are Indicted in the Slaying of a Woman, 70,” Murray Illson, The New York Times, November 2, 1974

232
“bash or strangle his victim” quoted from “Killer Sticks,” Newsweek, October 15, 1973

“dingy headquarters” quoted from “How a Radical-Left Group Moved Toward Savagery,” Paul L. Montgomery, The New York Times, January 20, 1974

“Gang members, and a lot of other young people…” Police sergeant associated with the Los Angeles Gang Division quoted in “Weapons and the Law,” Black Belt, January 1982

“A pair of nunchaku…” James Maloney quoted in “Sonia Sotomayor Could Declare Martial Law on Kevin Orcutt’s Nunchaku,” Jared Jacang Maher, Westworld.com, August 6, 2009

233
“Sir…” Sonia Sotomayor quoted in “Sonia Sotomayor Could Declare Martial Law on Kevin Orcutt’s Nunchaku,” Jared Jacang Maher, Westworld.com, August 6, 2009

229
“Breaking, Rapping & Graffiti, an original blend of dancing, acrobatics, and martial arts.” flier created by High Bridge Library, Summer 1981

238
“That Bruce Lee, I get a thing from him, man...” David Carradine interviewed in “David Carradine of Kung Fu,” Bill Davidson, TV Guide, January 1974

“I created this kung fu monster…” David Carradine interviewed by Marilyn Beck, Special Features: The New York Times syndicate, September 1976

“When Bruce Lee died, his spirit went into me” David Carradine interviewed in “The Awakening of the ‘Silent Flute’”, Connie L. Schimpff, Fighting Stars, February 1978

“They’re the best martial arts fights ever put on film...” Sandy Howard interviewed in “Sandy Howard Hopes ‘Silent Flute’ Will Sell on ‘Philosophic’ Merit,” Ralph Kaminsky, Boxoffice, February 13, 1978

239
“That guy’s crazy. I’m not working with him.” Mike Stone quoted by Joe Lewis in Circle of Iron DVD special feature, “Joe Lewis: Karate Master,” Blue Underground, Inc., 2007

“I never could figure out what the hell it means.” David Carradine interviewed in Circle of Iron DVD special feature, “Playing the Silent Flute,” Blue Underground, Inc., 2007

240
“could be profitable for you.” Chuck Norris interviewed in “At Dinner With: Chuck Norris; When that 97-pound Wekaling Grows Up,” Ira Berkow, The New York Times, May 12, 1993

241
“You’re an athlete. You’re not an actor.” Chuck Norris interviewed by Paul Maslak, Action Stars, October 1981

242
“There’s four million karate people in America...” Chuck Norris interviewed in “At the Movies: Chuck Norris Appeal on Rating,” Chris Chase, The New York Times, April 15, 1983

“You take Chuck Norris, and just change the color of his skin...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Jim Kelly and Ron Van Clief: America’s Lost Martial Arts Stars,” Caroline Siegal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1981

“I’ve seen Oriental films...” Jim Kelly interviewed in “Jim Kelly and Ron Van Clief: America’s Lost Martial Arts Stars,” Caroline Siegal, Martial Arts Movies, October 1981

243
“A recession is when your neighbor loses his job...” Ronald Reagan Labor Day Address at Liberty State Park, September 1, 1980, Jersey City, New Jersey

250
“Kung fu movies were really enjoying their biggest success...” author interview with Mel Maron, 2007

“aced a tennis match...” World Northal advertisement, Broadcasting, August 31, 1981

“Karate films invariably adhere…” quote from Aquarius Television sales brochure

254
“fu sheng craze” Shaolin Avengers reviewed by Mel Tobias (Mel.), Variety, July 21, 1976

255
“…the hottest kung fu star since Bruce Lee.” Kevin Kam interviewed in “Of Kung Fu, Derring-Do, Ko Ho Pu & Alexander Fu,” Peter Coutros, Daily News, December 29, 1975

257
“Ten years ago…” Woman interviewed in “Thousands Say Farewell to Fu Sing,” Walter Cheung, South China Morning Post, July 15, 1983

258
“trashed the market” Alice Hsia interviewed in “Billy Chong: Kung Fu’s Crystal Fist,” Hilary Berns, Fighting Stars, February 1980

259
“The exhibitor should arrange for a van…” quote from Eagle’s Shadow pressbook

262
“America is a big market…” Jackie Chan interviewed in “Jackie Chan: Welcome to L.A.”, Ben Singer, Fighting Stars, April 1981

264
“a three-and-a-half-hour interview…” “By that point…” author interview with Neva Friedenn, 2020

265
“it didn’t do anywhere as well…” author interview with Serafim Karalexis, 2020

267
“At the time…” author interview with Serafim Karalexis, 2020

280
“I really believe...” Joe Lewis interviewed in “The Psychology of a Winner: Joe Lewis,” Lucille Tajiri, Martial Arts Movies, July 1981

“I’ve had a couple of very competent directors...” Joe Lewis interviewed in “The Psychology of a Winner: Joe Lewis,” Lucille Tajiri, Martial Arts Movies, July 1981

“knew nothing about working with actors” interview with Joe Lewis on Bruce Lee the Divine Wind forum

282
“taking dictation from the Devil himself” quote from “Violent Movies Harden Viewers to Brutality,” Matt Seiden, The Baltimore Sun, February 15, 1984

“It is not a martial arts film...” Jay T. Will interviewed in “The Martial Arts Resurgence of 1979,” Tim Robertson, Fighting Stars, February 1980

“This is a world class film...” David Brown interviewed in “The Martial Arts Media Revival,” Stuart Goldman, Kick Illustrated, September 1980

“Unlike Oriental audiences...” Robert Clouse interviewed in “The Martial Arts Resurgence of 1979,” Tim Robertson, Fighting Stars, February 1980

284
“Liquor stores were reporting strong sake sales...” quote from “Week for ‘Shogun’ is Week for NBC,” no author, Broadcasting, September 29, 1980

286
“uses the code of the Samurai...” ABC Public Relations, Photo Release, photo caption

288
“He was very, very close to me...” Chuck Norris interviewed in “Chuck Norris: A Glimpse of Greatness,” Richard Zimmerman, Black Belt, December 1977

“Menahem gave me a break...” Chuck Norris interviewed in “A New Kick for Norris,” Roger Hurlburt, Fort Lauderdale News/Sun-Sentinel, September 4, 1988

290
“black gash of shame” quote from “A Milestone for a Memorial That Has Touched Millions,” Kent Garber, U.S. News & World Report, November 2007

292
“It has political overtones of Z...” Peter Harrell III interviewed in “‘Leadbelly’ Actor Cast in Texas-Based ‘Ninja’” The Austin American-Statesman, June 13, 1976

“aimed at removing the stereotype...” David Parks interviewed in “‘Leadbelly’ Actor Cast in Texas-Based ‘Ninja’” The Austin American-Statesman, June 13, 1976

293
“a period of adjustment,” Enter the Ninja press kit

“Kung fu, zombies, girls in cages.” director Edward Murphy interviewed on Raw Force Blu-Ray special feature, “Destination: Warriors Island,” Vinegar Syndrome, 2014

294
“It was horrible.” Mike Stone interviewed in “‘Raw Force’ Cooks Up a Comedy,’” Lou Salome, Martial Arts Movies, June 1982

“I thought we had a bunch of dead people on our hands.” Jillian Kesner interviewed in “‘Raw Force’ Cooks Up a Comedy,’” Lou Salome, Martial Arts Movies, June 1982

“a travesty,” quote from “‘Raw Force’ Cooks Up a Comedy,’” Lou Salome, Martial Arts Movies, June 1982

“bizarre,” “inept,” “preposterous,” “poorly photographed,” “unfunny,” “cheapo,” and “technically inferior.” Raw Force reviewed by Lawrence Cohn (Lor.), Variety, July 10, 1982

296
“I am not the great actor.” Sho Kosugi interviewed in “On the Cutting Edge,” Jay Maeder, Daily News, January 21, 1986

“It doesn’t work...” Sho Kosugi interviewed in “‘Ninja’ Knockin’ ‘Em Dead,” Joe Logan, Chicago Tribune, May 15, 1986

298
“My last film was terrible...” Sho Kosugi interviewed in “Ninja Sho Kosugi Returns to the Silver Screen! Pray for Death,” Inside Kung-Fu, October 1985

299
“I just don’t want to be a movie star...” Sho Kosugi interviewed in “Ninja Sho Kosugi Returns to the Silver Screen! Pray for Death,” Inside Kung-Fu, October 1985

“I don’t expect this to last forever...” Sho Kosugi interviewed in “Sho Kosugi: The Ninja as Marital Arts Movie Superstar,” Karras Gort, Inside Kung-Fu, February 1985

300
“It’s short, pronounceable and Oriental...” Mark Laracy, president of Parfums de Coeur, interviewed in “Ninja Conquering the US Marketplace,” Elizabeth Hartigan, Hartford Courant, September 7, 1985

“We are out of Ninja costumes.” quoted from “Dressed to Thrill the Devil Within,” Leonard Reed, The Record, October 29, 1985

“Halloween NINJA costumes ON SALE!” Jhoon Rhee advertisement, The Tampa Tribune, October 25, 1985

“out to have fun” quote from “Robbery Suspects Just Having Fun,” Associated Press, March 20, 1984

301
“It’s getting to be a hassle in the streets...” John Overton, karate instructor, interviewed in “The Ninja Warrior: Youths’ Deadly Hero,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 10, 1985

“kung fu epidemic.” Nancy Murphy interviewed in “Ninja Conquering the US Marketplace,” Elizabeth Hartigan, Hartford Courant, September 7, 1985

305
“The joke is you put ‘ninja’ in the title...” Rod Hurley interviewed in “Slash! Swoosh! Chop! Bam! Wham! Martial Arts Action Movies All the Rage with New York Kids,” Richard Zacks, Daily News, August 17, 1986

315
“the profits from selling Ninja movie posters.” quote from “State Seeking to Shut Down Talent Agency,” Mary E. Chollet, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 15, 1987

316
“A poorly lit, poorly staged...” Ninja Turf reviewed by James Greenberg (Jagr.), Variety, March 19, 1986

“This is a joke, right?” Ninja Turf reviewed by Jimmy Summers, Boxoffice, June 1, 1986

“I was physically and mentally exhausted...” YK Kim interviewed in “Grand Master of Daring Moves,” Denise L. Smith, Orlando Sentinel, September 12, 1988

“I know I lost money...” YK Kim interviewed in “Grand Master of Daring Moves,” Denise L. Smith, Orlando Sentinel, September 12, 1988

317
“Another interchangeable kung fu movie...” Invincible Devil reviewed by Roger Ebert, Sneak Previews, WTTW PBS Chicago, January 1, 1981

“Sometimes I wonder...” The Tongfather reviewed by Roger Ebert, Sneak Previews, WTTW PBS Chicago, November 22, 1979

“Why should we spend all this time...” Last Fist of Fury reviewed by Gene Siskel, Sneak Previews, WTTW PBS Chicago, March 22, 1979

324
“These movies get no advertising budget” Leo Fong interviewed in “Cheap Thrills,” Steven Barnes, Fighting Stars, December 1982

“I am also trying to contact Rocky.” Bobby Kim interviewed in “What Makes Bobby Kick?” Leslie-Ann Kerr, Fighting Stars, December 1980

328
“more of a Japanese slant to the genre...” Chuck McNeil interviewed in “Dragon From the East; Director from the West,” Lou Salome, Martial Arts Movies, September 1982

329
“a bad scene.” Chuck McNeil interviewed in “‘Stars’ Hopes Fade with ‘Miami Summer,” Palm Beach Post, October 21, 1980

“We started out to do a good movie...” Chuck McNeil interviewed in “Dragon From the East; Director from the West,” Lou Salome, Martial Arts Movies, September 1982

330
“no matter how bad it is...” Tom Everitt interviewed by Scarecrow Video Podcast, August 23, 2013

334
“You’ve got three languages going…” author interview with Loren Avedon, 2020

338
“six beautiful ladies in glamorous costumes.” press release for Ninjaerobics, March 16, 1996

339
“Alexandra is a real looker...” Feel the Heat reviewed by Lawrence Cohn (Lor.), Variety, May 13, 1987

“extraordinarily moving” From Hollywood to Hanoi reviewed by Kevin Thomas, “’From Hollywood to Hanoi’: A Journey of Reconciliation,” Los Angeles Times, April 28, 1995

“intense, personal, supremely self-confident” From Hollywood to Hanoi reviewed by Vincent Canby, “Going Back Home, Again and Again, To Find Vietnam and To Find Herself,” The New York Times, July 21, 1993

342
“The most detailed biography ever written on the man…” Dragon Video advertisement, Black Belt, May and June 1990 issues

352
“As far as I can tell...” Police Commissioner Gregore J. Sambor interviewed in “Teen-Agers Rampage in Center City,” Edward Moran, Philadelphia Daily News, April 8, 1985

354
“A barrage of karate chops...” quoted from “Man Dies in Karate Attack at Kung Fu Movie,” Cy Egan, New York Post, August 14, 1985

355
“People don’t need us anymore...” Music Palace usher interviewed in “The Lost Picture Show,” Bill Bell, Daily News, September 10, 1986

“When he grows up, he won’t watch Chinese movies either.” James Cheng interviewed in “Chinese a Big Hit at Box Office,” Elizabeth Lu, Los Angeles Times, November 21, 1985

357
“What do you want me to say?” Martin Blair interviewed in “The Stepford Channel,” Rick Marin, The New York Times, October 4, 1992

358
“a flat, sexy stomach in just three minutes a day!” quoted from Abflex advertisement

“a small Stealth fighter…” quoted from “Hair and Other Hilarities,” Gail Pennington, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 25, 1995

“martial arts legend Tiger Yang” “over 30 kung fu movies” quoted from Abflex infomercial

360
“The most profitable thing going on for me is karate films…” Russ Pine interviewed in “Word-of-Mouth Keeps Some Videos Renting for Years,” Donald Liebenson, Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1994

“I made $97,000…” author interview with Johnnyray Gasca, 2020

“They walked me out of the building...” author interview with Larry Bensky, 2020

“The last title I put out…” author interview with Johnnyray Gasca, 2020

364
“He’s the director...” author interview with Tim Kwok, 2019

“They’re not used to seeing these films distributed by Asians...” author interview with Frank Djeng, 2020

365
“Who the hell is this Tai Seng?” author interview with Frank Djeng, 2020

367
“My VCR broke freeze framing on David Chiang...” author interview with Robert Samuels, 2020

368
“I started to feel like doors…” author interview with Charles Bonet, 2019

369
“He said, ‘Pantera?’” author interview with Charles Bonet, 2019