Kung Fu: The Way of the Tiger, the Sign of the Dragon

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers Television, 1971. Final Draft script for the pilot episode of the 1972-1975 television show, which originally aired on ABC on February 22, 1972. With the name of uncredited crew member Charlee Holt on the front wrapper.

Released as a television movie ahead of the series' debut in the fall of the same year, the pilot establishes the rhythms of what would become the wildly popular series, as David Carradine's Kwai Chang Caine arrives in America intent on searching for his family, but finds he can't remain neutral when people need his help, while flashbacks to his training in a Shaolin monastery fill in clues to his past and provide thematic parallels to the ongoing story. The pilot would win an Emmy Award, and across three seasons, the series was nominated for a total of seven Emmys, including both Outstanding Drama and Outstanding Lead Actor in Drama for Carradine, winning two.

Blue titled wrappers, noted as Revised Draft on the front wrapper, dated November 5, 1971. Title page present, dated December 9, 1971, noted as Final Draft, with credits for screenwriters Ed Spielman, Howard Friedlander, and Herman Miller. 74 leaves, with last page of text numbered 72. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Fine, wrapper Near Fine, bound with two gold brads.

[Book #153174]