Lightning Karate Blow

Overview

Ken Takakura's screen debut, following his admission into Toei ranks via the studio's annual New Faces program, came surprisingly enough in this pair of Okinawa karate films. The two-parter was released on Jan. 29, 1956 as two thirds of a triple feature. Both halves run just under one hour. The fighting is actually pretty good for the time, and it's fun to see Takakura as an impatient, bearded karate rascal.

Cast

Ken Takakura

Harumi Urazato

Susumu Namishima

Takashi Kanda

Higa Saburo (Gisen's Disciple)

Isao Yamagata

Nagoe Gisen

Toranosuke Ogawa

Yoshi Katō

Takamaru Sasaki

Akikane Sawa

Mayumi Fujisato

N/A

Yuji Kitamine

N/A

Rikiya Iwaki