🎧 Hey Kung Fu Genius Podcast fans! 🎙 If you love what we do, here are some great ways to support the show: ➡Join us on Patreon for just $5/month to get early access to episodes and enjoy exclusive benefits at higher tiers! Your support means the world to us! www.patreon.com/thekungfugenius ➡Prefer a direct donation? You can contribute via my PayPal at www.paypal.com/paypalme/citywt. Every little bit helps! ➡ Exciting news! My best-selling book “The Wooden Dummy” is back in stock! Grab your copy here: www.citywingtsun.com/shop. ➡Last chance to book for the final 2025 Ultimate Hong Kong Kung Fu Tour! Early bird prices are available until March 31, 2025. Check out the details at www.citywingtsun.com/ultimate-hong-kong-kung-fu-tour. Thank you for your support, and let’s keep the Kung Fu spirit alive! 🤛 Peace, The KFG
I'd say that in the end, Bruce Lee didn't die. As long as his inspiring words and actions live on in all of us, he's still with us. Keep up posting these amazing videos, KFG! 👍
And yet with everything said here Sifu Alex, I always go back to my bottom line baseline of Bruce Lee. His faults never have outweighed the positive influence he has had in my life, not only in the martial arts but life itself. He opened my consciousness where religion, my parents, educators, etc…didn’t penetrate. I’m not saying he was more important to me than family or the like, but it was Bruce Lee who helped me make sense of the world and life and my place in it. And for that, I will always be grateful to him for. ‘No matter what, you must let your inner light guide you out of the darkness.’ Walk on indeed.
Had Bruce not passed away in 1973, he would've been a guest on the Johnny Carson show (August 1973) probably would've given a demonstration not to mention his insight & wisdom on martial arts 👊
Thanks Sifu, everyone has an expiration date. Maybe on July 20 1973 , the universe wanted him back. Keep up the good educating videos on all things Bruce Lee
Great episode and conclusion. Regarding the phone calls before Bruce's passing, there's another lesser know student of Bruce by the name of Peter Chin, in his book from page 101 he writes : My last conversations with Bruce "After Bruce finished Enter the Dragon, we talked over the phone five days before he passed away. I was in Las Vegas. During that conversation, we planned for me to go to Hong Kong for two days and come back with Bruce to the U.S. to promote Enter the Dragon. The first promotion would be on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Bruce was very happy with the way Enter the Dragon turned out. He mentioned some of the scenes he particularly liked, such as "the art of fighting without fighting" on the boat to Han's Island and the banquet scene when he tells John Saxon, "Don't con me." He mentioned having a hard time finding good martial artists to fight him in the next movie. He had to find high-level martial artists for the fight scenes to be good. Even though it is just a movie, it would be bad for their reputation and interfere with their student enrollment. "It takes two to tango," and those high-level masters would know they would not be able to be the winner. Many turned down his movie offers. He was already thinking about his next movie. He said that there were so many offers from different studios and independent producers to produce his next movies and that it seemed like everyone wanted something. During that conversation, Bruce sounded tired and extremely lonely. After we hung up, I felt something was wrong with Bruce by the tone of his voice. I wish I could have gone back to Hong Kong immediately. Five days later, I received a call from Linda, "Hi Peter. I want you to know Bruce passed away yesterday." I was shocked and speechless. I banged myself against the wall, wishing I had flown to Hong Kong right after Bruce and I spoke a few days ago. I told Linda, "I am taking the next flight out to Hong Kong."
Great Stuff as always, thanks. George Lazenby did meet Bruce before his death according to an interview he did with Bey Logan in an issue of Impact Magazine. (I'm sure Bey can confirm this.) When Lazenby arrived in Hong Kong, he did not have much money, so he decided to get a bus to Golden Harvest Studios. While at the bus stop a car pulled up and inside was Bruce, Linda, Raymond Chow and Bolo Yeung! Lazenby squeezed into the car and after a while, Bruce started to give him some of his philosophy and Lazenby said "That's not you, that's Krishnamurti! When Bruce then found out Lazenby had actually met Krishnamurti they became instant friends. Also, it's said the Bruce insisted Raymond Chow gave Lazenby an advancement cheque of $10,000 , Raymond said why but Bruce insisted. Perhaps that's why Lazenby did films such as Stoner and Man From Hong Kong after Bruce had passed away. - David Rees
Sifu, even though I am not your presential Wing Chun student, I belive I can call you my teacher due to everything I have learned from you in the past months, about Gung Fu, Bruce Lee and life. After watching this episode for the fourth time, can we put aside heatstroke and adrenal failure (both Mr. Polly and Mr. Bleecker have published their work after the drug letters), and assume the cause of the cerebral edema was, indeed, the white powder? Thanks a ton from an art of war brother here, cheers from Brazil.
Tom Bleeker !! The interview will be great !! & The Black Dragon (Ron Van Cliff ) in your show WOW!! Both met Bruce!!! The Golden Dragon 🐉!! KFG you got work!! 51:22
Excellent episode really enjoyed the discussion around what ended up being the last week of Bruce Lee's life. That being said, I think it's hard to come to any determination about the ill-fated Game of Death simply because Bruce did not complete it. We don't know how it would have turned out but if Bruce had gone back to it after the success of Enter the Dragon, he would have been well aware of the need to deliver another hit coming off ETD. Just my two cents. Keep up the good work!
Hey, Sifu. Speaking of Korean food, Chosun Ilbo, a major daily Korean newspaper had an article July 15, 2023 about the 50th anniversary of the death of Bruce Lee. Here’s a piece of that article translated exactly with no help of Google since I am Korean: Here’s quotes by Whang In-sik from the article : “Bruce Lee made a big success in Hong Kong with movies but he was a lonely person. Because of his U.S. nationality his fellow actors didn’t treat him as a friend. I took him to a Korean restaurant in Kowloon peninsula and we ate galbi (ribs in Korea) which he liked and we enjoyed talking martial arts.” I lived in Hong Kong from 1971~77 (two to eight years old) and there were some Korean restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui and I remember there was even one at the old Hyatt Regency (now iSquare at Nathan/Peking Rd.) called Arirang which still exists somewhere in HK.
So many versions over 20th July it can give you headaches! First you read he arrived at Betty’s with Raymond then another version says he entered alone. There certainly is a cover up of sorts in the case, the scandal of dying in his girlfriend’s bed would certainly damage his reputation and image. Not to mention affecting Golden Harvests name, Bruce was already having a bad time with the press which first lavished then turned on him. His paranoia grew rapidly by July knowing that his friends in both Hong Kong and Hollywood would try to use him and cash in on his success for their own gain.
George Lazenby is my son's Godfather and a close personal friend. George told me the story of how they met and their subsequent meeting. No photos but in depth discussions.
Amazing. Thank you...so much is clear now. He must of been so out of control on a daily basis. I wonder if Bruce actually thought it was enhancing him until it started working in reverse. To think possible the whole scenario in the movies and Bruce Lee Story probably never even unfolded that way. Betty knows exactly how it happened. It never made sense she would let him lie down and sleep in her room with a bad headache unattended then check on him later.
This was a very good, fascinating series. His final months are even sadder after reading the John Little Letters from the Dragon when he was very young and deciding what to study. A short life.
I need to get so caught up on my Bruce Lee readings. Just not sure how much money I wanna keep spending on this hobby of going down the Bruce Lee vortex arc. Been reading most of whatever I can get my hands on since 1998.
This has been really interesting to listen to ive enjoyed it mostly these are things i wasnt to familiar with in regards to Bruce Lee’s life. I am saddened to learn he had issues with drugs(ive personally had buddies lost to that crap) i have to remind it doesnt change that Bruce inspired me to get into martial arts or that hes still an icon to me.
Angela is a friend and she has her acting career in the rear view mirror. Unlike some other UA-camrs (including friends of mine) I would never impose on her to discuss what is essentially a closed chapter in her life. I’ve had conversations with her in Chinese that make me not want to be that guy.
This certainly is a small world! Ebenezer Shum was a student of Sunny Tang at the same time as my sifu (Paul Stiles). People called him Eben for short. I've also learned from Sunny Tang who was a direct student of Moy Yat. I know Eben Shum was the first student of Sunny Tang to get a certificate, which was the equivalent of a black belt. Back then, there were no belts or sashes or anything. But now, they use a Sash system.
Going to watch this video in my lunch break later. Loving the series. Fun fact: Dr David Reisbord still seems to be going strong and might even still be doing consultancy work into his late eighties- his professional profile is available online. If he ever gave me a clean bill of health though, I might seek a second opinion…
This was a quality series. More would be very welcome. Are there any more Yip Man stories? Part 1 and 2 were great and I've listened a few times in an attempt to educate myself so more of the sort would be great.
I'm glad you brought Tom bleecker up because I've seen him on utube talking about some strange stuff concerning Bruce's death with a certain Dr white have you heard anything about this he referred to his book unsettled matters I agree it would be a interesting conversation the same with Ron van cleef
Just re-watched the final episode. Amazingly after all these years The Drug Letters assisted tremendously in closing gaps of undisclosed properties. If Lee's addiction weren't so severe maybe he could have been helped. His personality make-up tells me far fetched. How many people around him knew of this addiction?🤔 They surely kept silent. In that famous last picture taken in the garden shirtless flexing he looked less than 120 lbs. Shame... OD'd.
I must say that I hesitated to listen to this 4th part on Bruce's last days...but KFG was able to approach the subject always factually and with the right humor considering the subject which can be sensitive for some or misinterpreted for others. So thank you and Bravo for these 4 parts....BUT😏 I say that we need a 5th part, the one where "The theory of KFG" must be said and explained...and that's all I have to say 'bout...oups ! Sorry😅
@@EricStewart-vy6hb Why not..jackie is not known for telling BS and he has a great respect regarding Bruce Lee...the KFG is telling how the persons's dates, perceptions and interpretations about the events may be "somehow distorted" according to what they are, lovers or haters !....or sci-fi fantasy "Beerdyiesques"😂
Another thing that seems to me is that Bruce's main issue seemed to be his temper. It was far too ferocious. He had a high level of self-awareness and was sensitive to criticism from others. This can occasionally be both a benefit and a curse. In this instance, his rage was most likely his downfall. I wonder whether he would receive an ADHD condition diagnosis today?
"You seem to know Many Wongs. Are you secretly a member of the Wong Clan ? Do you need to defeat Poke Poke Wong to enter the Wong Gate ?" "Our Elder has been ambushed by a swarm of ninjas. I swear it is true, not because the Elders said it, but a Ninja told me so. It was a Nice Ninja ... and now you knew too much ..."
Concerning the picture of the "swollen neck". I've read somewhere that Bruce's body was poorly embalmed after he passed away. Because embalming fluid was injected into his corps under excessive pressure, the process caused his neck to swell. Due to poor embalming techniques, Bruce's body spilled embalming fluid during transit to the United States, destroying the coffin's inside. What are your thoughts about that?
@kung fu genius, thank you for that great analytic work. I have two questions. Do we lnow if the Bob Baker drug letters correspondance went on after the may 10th incident. And is there any signs of Bruce wanting to reduce that cocaïne c9nsumption after may 10th?
Thanks for the great comment! There are no letters around that time until his death, although his last shipment may have been all he needed. Also, he visited California one time host May 10 so it’s possible he could’ve handled it in a phone call to Bob and had it shipped and that’s why there are no letters during that time.
I was enthralled for the full running time and was on the edge till the fateful day... I'm sorry-but I may have missed it somehow-may I ask, at the risk of being foolish; what was the definite caused of THE DRAGON's demise?... Thanks and more power!.
Fantastic episode, Alex. We probably know as much now as we ever will about Bruce’s death. Ironically, if the inquest verdict was revisited today, I believe it would be less definitive than the original one eg: Death by Misadventure- cerebral edema primarily caused by voluntary ingestion of an unascertained substance. What bothers me most is the delay in getting Bruce medical attention: what right did those involved have to effectively declare him dead and not call an ambulance immediately? He may well have been dead, but unless it’s a decapitation etc, how could they be absolutely sure? That’s a medical professional’s call. It leads me to think that those around Bruce prioritised saving his reputation rather than his life or that possibly Bruce was examined by a doctor earlier in the afternoon and death confirmed.
Betty, his lover, with whom he had been having an affair for about a year, when she realized that she couldn't wake Bruce up, she called other people first and everything was delayed so that apparently he died because of this delay. It was literally minutes here. She cared more about her reputation than Bruce himself. In doing so, she claims that she loved him and is now cashing in on his fame by shouting to the world that they had a secret affair and focusing attention on herself. She was the snake on his chest. She is a poisonous woman. If she really loved him, she would immediately call an ambulance. And also, she had to know, he had collapsed and ended up in the hospital a few weeks before. That's why she should have immediately called for help! Hen! Rolling around in bed with him, yes, but behaving like a person, no more. She is probably to blame for his death.
Cool. Oh, when I dropped by the Dojo studio, I think I left my yellow headphones on top of the lockers. I prefer Mikey not help himself to them and then break them. Good info. Me liked the Ninja theory part
Excellent series.. Might be essential watch right after the shell shock of the drug letters video. You might have to put Part 0 on that, huh. :) Good to have a more well reasoned analysis on that part of history. I recently brought this up to my dad who has been a BL fan growing up in Hong Kong, along the likely cause of BL's death... He looked at me funny and flicked his index finger up... I said "What?!?! NOOO!!! It was OD!!!"... For a moment there I realized maybe coke OD wasn't so bad after all when based on last known memory mired with rumors in everyone's psyche... nobody believed in the killer aspirin... but venus fly traps are deadly... there has been many known cases.. haha So, Bruce came in at 3pm or 4pm or 5pm WITH raymond? There likely IT WAS NOT hanky panky time or coke with BTP (with raymond watching hahaha) because his schedule was booked even at 6pm? There is no question that he felt the headache, ate Equagesic, took a nap and died..? He was working and .. not courting karma?
With AI approaching, within 20 years, we might not be able to tell what's real and what's not. For the newer generations, they might not be able to tell the difference between Bruce Lee and Bruce Lai or the difference between KFG and Beerdy. I am thinking of writing a book about Betty Ting Pei and Bruce Lee, written by AI, entitled, "Enter My Dragon". Here is an exclusive excerpt for the KFG channel: Betty Ting Pei always dream of being an actress, but Bruce Lee always knew she couldn't act. Bruce Lee told Betty, "I have a role for you in Game of Death. It will be a non-speaking role." "A non-speaking role? I don't want it!!", countered Betty with agitation. Bruce Lee knew he had to calm her down, always thinking of Linda. "Look Betty, I am tired too. I will become so famous that I think I will do a movie later which I don't even speak. It's the ultimate role. I just watch the sun rises and the rain falls, that kind of a thing. I don't even fight. Heck, I don't even take off my shirt...Let's have some tea."
I just saw “Heroes of the East” for the first recently. Theres still alot of the shaw bros kung fu films i need to see. Liked the movie but i wish there was more of a resolution between him and his wife thats all it was really lacking i felt.
People that get down on Bruce about the substance. Isn't fair to say he really didn't get heavily indulging in it until around 71,72 from Baker? I mean he still was who he was despite using? I don't think it really accelerated his ability.
Thank you KFG for having the courage to admit that Game of Death wasn't looking good according to the synopsis. It actually works as is --a short form experimental film. Basically, a 35 minute fight scene. And let's be honest, after ETD's success Warners would have sent him directly into sequels and other studios were already showing interest. I think G.O.D. was done, my friend 😮
Can you interview Randy Williams? I saw a video on UA-cam where he claimed to have solved the Bruce Lee's death. It would be interesting if you have him on your show.
I rarely say this (as it is unscientific), but the information I obtained (based on the source) gives me a degree of confidence that makes all other theories seem to violate Occam‘s razor. If Mr. Williams had an alternate theory, it might get awkward as I would press for his sources as I don’t get giddy when someone says something (as everyone has a pet theory), I need evidence and corroboration. If his information was the same as mine, then it would be an awkward conversation of two people agreeing with each other for an hour. Either way, I’m not sure this is a quality KFG podcast topic anymore.
Stop or my mom will shoot and Rhinestone are two of Stallones movies he utterly hates himself. I think Last Action Hero is great and under appreciated much like Demolition Man. They both came out the same year in 1993. Both of those movies are now considered some of the best they have done.
IMO, the most important thought expressed is what was repeated throughout this post... that many of us have run with rumor and conjecture for DECADES as if most of these tales regarding Lee's daeath are fact. I say "we" because I have been just as guilty of this. The mere fact that people who were around or knew Bruce have contradicted their own accounts repeatedly over time strongly suggest to me that no matter what account of events is given, it's all suspect without quantifiable evidence. There is a truth to what actually happened for sure, I just don't think we'll ever know it.
I guess you can't go too much farther then July, 73. But the good news is, then you can have shows about what happened afterwards. If you need some of the news headlines immediately after, shoot me an email.
The Big Brawl (1980) and The Protector (1985) both performed poorly at the US box office. Rumble in the Bronx was the film that finally made JC a big name in America.
Did you ever hear a theory that Bruce Lee was poisoned by arsenic? Is that from beardy? I heard that somewhere. Anyway, I heard there was discoloration on his palms and feet.
@@TheKungFuGenius although these conspiracy theories have no basis in reality, it’s still fascinating that people continue to speculate after all this time has passed.
Well they are not all “conspiracy theories” (which just mean more than one person was involved), most are alternative theories (of varying degrees of plausibility) because the idea that he died from an aspirin brand he had been taken for years did not seem plausible.
Thank you for commenting! That makes total sense, I’m 47 and I just missed being in that generation to see the TV show first. You being a little bit older would put you in that perfect time to see Kung Fu first.
Mine too. I was 8 when Monkey started in the UK. Discovered Bruce Lee about 3 years later at a friend's house when his dad had rented Fist of Fury and he showed me the first few minutes up to the end of the dojo fight. Then, when we got a video recorder, the first film I rented was The Big Boss.
Monkey magic was shown in New Zealand when I was around 14..I thought WTF is this nonsense lol..I was too busy trapping possums etc to watch this stuff..brings back memories tho
@@berniehayes8425 I think my mum wanted us to learn about cultures other than ours., rather than learn from the racism that was so common on TV when I was a kid. She told us there's good and bad in everyone. R.I.P Mum xx
Great episode. I've always wonder why Bruce would go for someone like Betty Ting Pei. He and Nora Miao would make a great couple. No offense to Linda. Maybe he likes bad girls like those girls who would go for bad boys. Or probably because Nora was actually his brother's girlfriend
Nora was very beautiful and Bruce had a soft spot for her, probably precisely because of her beauty, every guy is "spoiled" by a beautiful woman. Betty acted in "dirty" movies and pretended to be a sexy woman, she learned to play different sexy looks and look "seductive", but all this is a fake on her part, just an act. But it probably made an impression on Bruce Lee, who "liked" women very much. A woman who offers "sex" with her looks must have captivated him. She didn't make an impression on me.
@@TheKungFuGenius oh wow really? That’s super cool. I would liked to have gone on that tour at some point but it’s a lot of walking and I tend to get headaches after about two hours walking. Looking forward to the 3 part unsettled matters videos 👍🏻
The issue with Bruce's final month on earth is that he was using cocaine so heavily at the time that it is impossible to tell which of his decisions were driven by common sense and which by his addiction to the drug. What made him do this or that? Was he totally sober and taking some of the decisions he made, or was he high as a kite? Thus, everything turns into a puzzle. "Game of Death" would not do well in the American market, in my opinion. It was your standard Hong Kong movie, and it would certainly perform well there, but the US market is far more picky. What's noteworthy about this situation is if cocaine use affected Bruce's ability to make sensible decisions.
@@TheKungFuGenius Was watching Bruce in UK cinemas in 1974 before the 2nd generation of the 80's jumped on board . You had to be there to witness the queues around the block and that 70's nostalgia .
It was circle of iron....carradine was the lead....sort of. The main protagonist was some Newberry that couldn't fight very well. It also had Christopher Lee, Eli Wallace, and a few others....it is God awful
🎧 Hey Kung Fu Genius Podcast fans! 🎙
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Peace,
The KFG
I'd say that in the end, Bruce Lee didn't die.
As long as his inspiring words and actions live on in all of us, he's still with us.
Keep up posting these amazing videos, KFG! 👍
And yet with everything said here Sifu Alex, I always go back to my bottom line baseline of Bruce Lee. His faults never have outweighed the positive influence he has had in my life, not only in the martial arts but life itself. He opened my consciousness where religion, my parents, educators, etc…didn’t penetrate. I’m not saying he was more important to me than family or the like, but it was Bruce Lee who helped me make sense of the world and life and my place in it. And for that, I will always be grateful to him for. ‘No matter what, you must let your inner light guide you out of the darkness.’ Walk on indeed.
Had Bruce not passed away in 1973, he would've been a guest on the Johnny Carson show (August 1973) probably would've given a demonstration not to mention his insight & wisdom on martial arts 👊
Thanks Sifu, everyone has an expiration date. Maybe on July 20 1973 , the universe wanted him back.
Keep up the good educating videos on all things Bruce Lee
These 4 episodes plus the interview with englishman rambles is in My opinion some of the Best content the kung fu genius has put out. Thank you.
🙏🏻 thank you!
Great episode and conclusion. Regarding the phone calls before Bruce's passing, there's another lesser know student of Bruce by the name of Peter Chin, in his book from page 101 he writes :
My last conversations with Bruce
"After Bruce finished Enter the Dragon, we talked over the phone five days before he passed away. I was in Las Vegas. During that conversation, we planned for me to go to Hong Kong for two days and come back with Bruce to the U.S. to promote Enter the Dragon. The first promotion would be on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Bruce was very happy with the way Enter the Dragon turned out. He mentioned some of the scenes he particularly liked, such as "the art of fighting without fighting" on the boat to Han's Island and the banquet scene when he tells John Saxon, "Don't con me."
He mentioned having a hard time finding good martial artists to fight him in the next movie. He had to find high-level martial artists for the fight scenes to be good. Even though it is just a movie, it would be bad for their reputation and interfere with their student enrollment. "It takes two to tango," and those high-level masters would know they would not be able to be the winner. Many turned down his movie offers.
He was already thinking about his next movie. He said that there were so many offers from different studios and independent producers to produce his next movies and that it seemed like everyone wanted something. During that conversation, Bruce sounded tired and extremely lonely. After we hung up, I felt something was wrong with Bruce by the tone of his voice. I wish I could have gone back to Hong Kong immediately.
Five days later, I received a call from Linda, "Hi Peter. I want you to know Bruce passed away yesterday." I was shocked and speechless. I banged myself against the wall, wishing I had flown to Hong Kong right after Bruce and I spoke a few days ago. I told Linda, "I am taking the next flight out to Hong Kong."
Thanks for that insight.
What is the name of that Peter Chin book please? I haven't seen the video, maybe it's mentioned there. Thank you for your reply.
@@petrroby1409 It's called "The Last Disciple My Memoirs With Bruce Lee."
One of the best videos I have ever seen.
Great Stuff as always, thanks.
George Lazenby did meet Bruce before his death according to an interview he did with Bey Logan in an issue of Impact Magazine. (I'm sure Bey can confirm this.)
When Lazenby arrived in Hong Kong, he did not have much money, so he decided to get a bus to Golden Harvest Studios.
While at the bus stop a car pulled up and inside was Bruce, Linda, Raymond Chow and Bolo Yeung! Lazenby squeezed into the car and after a while, Bruce started to give him some of his philosophy and Lazenby said "That's not you, that's Krishnamurti! When Bruce then found out Lazenby had actually met Krishnamurti they became instant friends.
Also, it's said the Bruce insisted Raymond Chow gave Lazenby an advancement cheque of $10,000 , Raymond said why but Bruce insisted.
Perhaps that's why Lazenby did films such as Stoner and Man From Hong Kong after Bruce had passed away. - David Rees
Sifu, even though I am not your presential Wing Chun student, I belive I can call you my teacher due to everything I have learned from you in the past months, about Gung Fu, Bruce Lee and life. After watching this episode for the fourth time, can we put aside heatstroke and adrenal failure (both Mr. Polly and Mr. Bleecker have published their work after the drug letters), and assume the cause of the cerebral edema was, indeed, the white powder? Thanks a ton from an art of war brother here, cheers from Brazil.
"I wish I had kidneys like Bruce." LOL! That was awesome.
Tom Bleeker !! The interview will be great !! & The Black Dragon (Ron Van Cliff ) in your show WOW!! Both met Bruce!!! The Golden Dragon 🐉!! KFG you got work!! 51:22
Thannks for this, really enjoyed these episodes
This series has been great. I've really enjoyed it. Thank you. 👏
Superb episode, mate. 👏I really enjoyed this series.
Have fun in Hong Kong 👍
Thank you! Having a blast here!
@@StripeyR you rock as well Mr Stripey
Excellent episode really enjoyed the discussion around what ended up being the last week of Bruce Lee's life. That being said, I think it's hard to come to any determination about the ill-fated Game of Death simply because Bruce did not complete it. We don't know how it would have turned out but if Bruce had gone back to it after the success of Enter the Dragon, he would have been well aware of the need to deliver another hit coming off ETD. Just my two cents. Keep up the good work!
Hey, Sifu. Speaking of Korean food, Chosun Ilbo, a major daily Korean newspaper had an article July 15, 2023 about the 50th anniversary of the death of Bruce Lee. Here’s a piece of that article translated exactly with no help of Google since I am Korean:
Here’s quotes by Whang In-sik from the article :
“Bruce Lee made a big success in Hong Kong with movies but he was a lonely person. Because of his U.S. nationality his fellow actors didn’t treat him as a friend. I took him to a Korean restaurant in Kowloon peninsula and we ate galbi (ribs in Korea) which he liked and we enjoyed talking martial arts.”
I lived in Hong Kong from 1971~77 (two to eight years old) and there were some Korean restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui and I remember there was even one at the old Hyatt Regency (now iSquare at Nathan/Peking Rd.) called Arirang which still exists somewhere in HK.
Dear Alex, Because of you, I have already changed my game tag to Gossipy Sifu, then Grand Master Baxter, and now T-Shirt Lee.
@mr.nielsen6253 That's too much for a game tag, but great for a "T-shirt". 😉
So many versions over 20th July it can give you headaches! First you read he arrived at Betty’s with Raymond then another version says he entered alone. There certainly is a cover up of sorts in the case, the scandal of dying in his girlfriend’s bed would certainly damage his reputation and image. Not to mention affecting Golden Harvests name, Bruce was already having a bad time with the press which first lavished then turned on him. His paranoia grew rapidly by July knowing that his friends in both Hong Kong and Hollywood would try to use him and cash in on his success for their own gain.
Interesting stuff. Many thanks :)
George Lazenby is my son's Godfather and a close personal friend.
George told me the story of how they met and their subsequent meeting. No photos but in depth discussions.
Is this the “Paul cast” ?
Love your shows my dude!
Thank you!
Very interesting, enjoyed your insight's and intrigue. 😎✌
Glad you enjoyed it
@@TheKungFuGenius of course...
Amazing. Thank you...so much is clear now. He must of been so out of control on a daily basis. I wonder if Bruce actually thought it was enhancing him until it started working in reverse. To think possible the whole scenario in the movies and Bruce Lee Story probably never even unfolded that way. Betty knows exactly how it happened. It never made sense she would let him lie down and sleep in her room with a bad headache unattended then check on him later.
This has been an excellent series 💯👍 can't wait
Love these series. Interesting but saddening
This was a very good, fascinating series. His final months are even sadder after reading the John Little Letters from the Dragon when he was very young and deciding what to study. A short life.
This going to be a good one
I need to get so caught up on my Bruce Lee readings. Just not sure how much money I wanna keep spending on this hobby of going down the Bruce Lee vortex arc. Been reading most of whatever I can get my hands on since 1998.
This has been really interesting to listen to ive enjoyed it mostly these are things i wasnt to familiar with in regards to Bruce Lee’s life. I am saddened to learn he had issues with drugs(ive personally had buddies lost to that crap) i have to remind it doesnt change that Bruce inspired me to get into martial arts or that hes still an icon to me.
Product of that era. Sad.
Yes, Bruce Lee met George Lezengby before Bruce died. There's an interview of George Lenzeby here on YT where he said so.
This is such a cool channel💯
Thank you
The sheer panic, the gravitas of the situation. July 20th, Raymond and what happened.
I'd love an episode interview w/ Angela Mao
Angela is a friend and she has her acting career in the rear view mirror. Unlike some other UA-camrs (including friends of mine) I would never impose on her to discuss what is essentially a closed chapter in her life. I’ve had conversations with her in Chinese that make me not want to be that guy.
Makes perfect sense. I appreciate your class.
Thanks for the suggestion!
This certainly is a small world! Ebenezer Shum was a student of Sunny Tang at the same time as my sifu (Paul Stiles). People called him Eben for short. I've also learned from Sunny Tang who was a direct student of Moy Yat. I know Eben Shum was the first student of Sunny Tang to get a certificate, which was the equivalent of a black belt. Back then, there were no belts or sashes or anything. But now, they use a Sash system.
It is a small world, indeed! I only know his name from the old VTAA book. Greetings from a very hot Hong Kong.
Paradise Alley is whst you were looking for. It was Stallone as a Rocky-esque professional manager in the depression.
Critics hated it. I loved it
Yes that’s the film! I never saw it, I think I’ll check it out.
Going to watch this video in my lunch break later. Loving the series. Fun fact: Dr David Reisbord still seems to be going strong and might even still be doing consultancy work into his late eighties- his professional profile is available online. If he ever gave me a clean bill of health though, I might seek a second opinion…
This was a quality series. More would be very welcome. Are there any more Yip Man stories? Part 1 and 2 were great and I've listened a few times in an attempt to educate myself so more of the sort would be great.
Thank you!
I'm glad you brought Tom bleecker up because I've seen him on utube talking about some strange stuff concerning Bruce's death with a certain Dr white have you heard anything about this he referred to his book unsettled matters I agree it would be a interesting conversation the same with Ron van cleef
I just recorded a three-part series in which I take a critical look at Mr. Bleecker‘s infamous book
Just re-watched the final episode. Amazingly after all these years The Drug Letters assisted tremendously in closing gaps of undisclosed properties. If Lee's addiction weren't so severe maybe he could have been helped. His personality make-up tells me far fetched. How many people around him knew of this addiction?🤔 They surely kept silent.
In that famous last picture taken in the garden shirtless flexing he looked less than 120 lbs. Shame... OD'd.
I must say that I hesitated to listen to this 4th part on Bruce's last days...but KFG was able to approach the subject always factually and with the right humor considering the subject which can be sensitive for some or misinterpreted for others. So thank you and Bravo for these 4 parts....BUT😏 I say that we need a 5th part, the one where "The theory of KFG" must be said and explained...and that's all I have to say 'bout...oups ! Sorry😅
Im wondering if Jackie Chan was telling the truth about meeting up with him in the bowling alley.but it sounds legit.
@@EricStewart-vy6hb Why not..jackie is not known for telling BS and he has a great respect regarding Bruce Lee...the KFG is telling how the persons's dates, perceptions and interpretations about the events may be "somehow distorted" according to what they are, lovers or haters !....or sci-fi fantasy "Beerdyiesques"😂
Another thing that seems to me is that Bruce's main issue seemed to be his temper. It was far too ferocious. He had a high level of self-awareness and was sensitive to criticism from others.
This can occasionally be both a benefit and a curse. In this instance, his rage was most likely his downfall.
I wonder whether he would receive an ADHD condition diagnosis today?
Ron Van, hell yeah!! Please interview him!! 🙏..
@ramondiaz2851 When I saw this comment, I read it as, Ron VanHell. I was ready to search what punk rock band he's in.
"You seem to know Many Wongs. Are you secretly a member of the Wong Clan ? Do you need to defeat Poke Poke Wong to enter the Wong Gate ?"
"Our Elder has been ambushed by a swarm of ninjas. I swear it is true, not because the Elders said it, but a Ninja told me so. It was a Nice Ninja ... and now you knew too much ..."
R.I.P Corey Yuen, just heard few minutes ago.
I just arrived in Hong Kong and I heard the
news too
Concerning the picture of the "swollen neck". I've read somewhere that Bruce's body was poorly embalmed after he passed away. Because embalming fluid was injected into his corps under excessive pressure, the process caused his neck to swell. Due to poor embalming techniques, Bruce's body spilled embalming fluid during transit to the United States, destroying the coffin's inside.
What are your thoughts about that?
Wait for my upcoming series on Unsettled Matters - I discuss this.
@kung fu genius, thank you for that great analytic work. I have two questions. Do we lnow if the Bob Baker drug letters correspondance went on after the may 10th incident. And is there any signs of Bruce wanting to reduce that cocaïne c9nsumption after may 10th?
Thanks for the great comment! There are no letters around that time until his death, although his last shipment may have been all he needed. Also, he visited California one time host May 10 so it’s possible he could’ve handled it in a phone call to Bob and had it shipped and that’s why there are no letters during that time.
Excellent
I was enthralled for the full running time and was on the edge till the fateful day...
I'm sorry-but I may have missed it somehow-may I ask, at the risk of being foolish; what was the definite caused of THE DRAGON's demise?...
Thanks and more power!.
Fantastic episode, Alex. We probably know as much now as we ever will about Bruce’s death. Ironically, if the inquest verdict was revisited today, I believe it would be less definitive than the original one eg: Death by Misadventure- cerebral edema primarily caused by voluntary ingestion of an unascertained substance. What bothers me most is the delay in getting Bruce medical attention: what right did those involved have to effectively declare him dead and not call an ambulance immediately? He may well have been dead, but unless it’s a decapitation etc, how could they be absolutely sure? That’s a medical professional’s call. It leads me to think that those around Bruce prioritised saving his reputation rather than his life or that possibly Bruce was examined by a doctor earlier in the afternoon and death confirmed.
Betty, his lover, with whom he had been having an affair for about a year, when she realized that she couldn't wake Bruce up, she called other people first and everything was delayed so that apparently he died because of this delay. It was literally minutes here. She cared more about her reputation than Bruce himself. In doing so, she claims that she loved him and is now cashing in on his fame by shouting to the world that they had a secret affair and focusing attention on herself. She was the snake on his chest. She is a poisonous woman. If she really loved him, she would immediately call an ambulance. And also, she had to know, he had collapsed and ended up in the hospital a few weeks before. That's why she should have immediately called for help! Hen! Rolling around in bed with him, yes, but behaving like a person, no more. She is probably to blame for his death.
Cool.
Oh, when I dropped by the Dojo studio, I think I left my yellow headphones on top of the lockers. I prefer Mikey not help himself to them and then break them.
Good info. Me liked the Ninja theory part
Excellent series.. Might be essential watch right after the shell shock of the drug letters video. You might have to put Part 0 on that, huh. :)
Good to have a more well reasoned analysis on that part of history. I recently brought this up to my dad who has been a BL fan growing up in Hong Kong, along the likely cause of BL's death... He looked at me funny and flicked his index finger up... I said "What?!?! NOOO!!! It was OD!!!"... For a moment there I realized maybe coke OD wasn't so bad after all when based on last known memory mired with rumors in everyone's psyche... nobody believed in the killer aspirin... but venus fly traps are deadly... there has been many known cases.. haha
So, Bruce came in at 3pm or 4pm or 5pm WITH raymond? There likely IT WAS NOT hanky panky time or coke with BTP (with raymond watching hahaha) because his schedule was booked even at 6pm? There is no question that he felt the headache, ate Equagesic, took a nap and died..? He was working and .. not courting karma?
Don't know about Bruce Lee but i love Korean food as I lived in South Korea in the USAF 1981-82 & I ate Plenty of it - 😋
With AI approaching, within 20 years, we might not be able to tell what's real and what's not. For the newer generations, they might not be able to tell the difference between Bruce Lee and Bruce Lai or the difference between KFG and Beerdy. I am thinking of writing a book about Betty Ting Pei and Bruce Lee, written by AI, entitled, "Enter My Dragon". Here is an exclusive excerpt for the KFG channel:
Betty Ting Pei always dream of being an actress, but Bruce Lee always knew she couldn't act. Bruce Lee told Betty, "I have a role for you in Game of Death. It will be a non-speaking role." "A non-speaking role? I don't want it!!", countered Betty with agitation. Bruce Lee knew he had to calm her down, always thinking of Linda. "Look Betty, I am tired too. I will become so famous that I think I will do a movie later which I don't even speak. It's the ultimate role. I just watch the sun rises and the rain falls, that kind of a thing. I don't even fight. Heck, I don't even take off my shirt...Let's have some tea."
Reminds me a bit of This is History Podcasts 😊
I just saw “Heroes of the East” for the first recently. Theres still alot of the shaw bros kung fu films i need to see. Liked the movie but i wish there was more of a resolution between him and his wife thats all it was really lacking i felt.
Is it true he drank tai green tea , To strong, accidently, Water problem. Very warm weather. Great show.
Can't wait 😁
As rick James would say coke kain is one hell of a drug 😅
Bruce probably would have been a crack head in the 80s😮😮😮😮
The internet even gives you a platform.
Get linda lee on your show see if she tell the truth about bruce lee drug use ?
People that get down on Bruce about the substance. Isn't fair to say he really didn't get heavily indulging in it until around 71,72 from Baker? I mean he still was who he was despite using? I don't think it really accelerated his ability.
Thank you KFG for having the courage to admit that Game of Death wasn't looking good according to the synopsis. It actually works as is --a short form experimental film. Basically, a 35 minute fight scene.
And let's be honest, after ETD's success Warners would have sent him directly into sequels and other studios were already showing interest. I think G.O.D. was done, my friend 😮
Where can we get that death of Bruce book??
Try googling “the death of Bruce Lee by Marcos Ocana”
Can you interview Randy Williams? I saw a video on UA-cam where he claimed to have solved the Bruce Lee's death. It would be interesting if you have him on your show.
I rarely say this (as it is unscientific), but the information I obtained (based on the source) gives me a degree of confidence that makes all other theories seem to violate Occam‘s razor. If Mr. Williams had an alternate theory, it might get awkward as I would press for his sources as I don’t get giddy when someone says something (as everyone has a pet theory), I need evidence and corroboration. If his information was the same as mine, then it would be an awkward conversation of two people agreeing with each other for an hour. Either way, I’m not sure this is a quality KFG podcast topic anymore.
Should do a calab with Beardy👍👍
I would love that. I have a weird curiosity as to who this person is in real life.
Stop or my mom will shoot and Rhinestone are two of Stallones movies he utterly hates himself.
I think Last Action Hero is great and under appreciated much like Demolition Man. They both came out the same year in 1993. Both of those movies are now considered some of the best they have done.
IMO, the most important thought expressed is what was repeated throughout this post... that many of us have run with rumor and conjecture for DECADES as if most of these tales regarding Lee's daeath are fact. I say "we" because I have been just as guilty of this. The mere fact that people who were around or knew Bruce have contradicted their own accounts repeatedly over time strongly suggest to me that no matter what account of events is given, it's all suspect without quantifiable evidence.
There is a truth to what actually happened for sure, I just don't think we'll ever know it.
In regards to names. I recall in the 1970s watching a Kung Fu flick and one of the actors was Elton Chong
In da house. 💯🤙🏿#fact 1:27:23 exactly. I think the only thing injured from erb would be a FULL STOMACH or you got sleepy. 😂❤
Silver Fox Wong entered the Chat…
Wow!
How many parts are planned?
I guess you can't go too much farther then July, 73. But the good news is, then you can have shows about what happened afterwards. If you need some of the news headlines immediately after, shoot me an email.
This is the last part
"Ray" 😂
Sifu is this going to be the last of the series??
Yes, unfortunately, I cannot find much information about what Bruce Lee did after July 20.
@@TheKungFuGenius I love your sarcasm Sifu , I just thought there might be more , with the drug letters and the final letter to Adrian Marsahall
@@TheKungFuGenius😂👍
The Big brawl was out a long time ago. And the protector. What's in the 70. Way before rumble in the Bronx
Big Brawl and the Protector came out in the 80’s. I didn’t imply Rumble came out right after them. I’m sorry if you misunderstood that.
The Big Brawl (1980) and The Protector (1985) both performed poorly at the US box office. Rumble in the Bronx was the film that finally made JC a big name in America.
Yes that’s what I said in the video
It’s funny he mentioned thirteen of the clock. Thirteen is not a bad luck number for the Chinese the number four is. You are right Alex! Bullshit.
Great series KFG!
Thank you!
Kudos to the Royal Imperial Guard T-shirt!
What's up simulator you still have the place in Manhattan
Loved the Rocky reference at the start. The Rocky franchise are my favourite movies 🥊
ADRIAN !!!!!!!!!
So I watched all of these and still don't know what killed Bruce, suggested it was a drug but not what drug.
No detective badge for you.
Is it white and snowy and rhyme with “no pain”??? Can’t wait to hear about the HK trip. Love HK!
@@MorgansBay Thanks, I suspected that but never found where it would cause cerebral edema.
Cerebral edema is a common result of overdosing on the drug you couldn’t figure out
[Redacted] is a hell of a drug.
It baffles me that to me, the fittest man on the planet died from a headache & a pill 💊! In his sleep!!
Well when you realize he wasn’t very fit at all in those last few months…
@TheKungFuGenius yeah!! You're right, but , man, he looked intense !!
Did you ever hear a theory that Bruce Lee was poisoned by arsenic? Is that from beardy? I heard that somewhere. Anyway, I heard there was discoloration on his palms and feet.
It would’ve come up in his toxicology report
😂😂😂😂😂
@@TheKungFuGenius although these conspiracy theories have no basis in reality, it’s still fascinating that people continue to speculate after all this time has passed.
Well they are not all “conspiracy theories” (which just mean more than one person was involved), most are alternative theories (of varying degrees of plausibility) because the idea that he died from an aspirin brand he had been taken for years did not seem plausible.
these stores should be made into a movie
I’m 56, I saw the Kung fu TV series first.
Thank you for commenting! That makes total sense, I’m 47 and I just missed being in that generation to see the TV show first. You being a little bit older would put you in that perfect time to see Kung Fu first.
Who else remembers the series Monkey (aka Monkey Magic) ?
That was my first martial arts experience.
I was too young to see Bruce's films
Mine too. I was 8 when Monkey started in the UK. Discovered Bruce Lee about 3 years later at a friend's house when his dad had rented Fist of Fury and he showed me the first few minutes up to the end of the dojo fight. Then, when we got a video recorder, the first film I rented was The Big Boss.
Monkey magic was shown in New Zealand when I was around 14..I thought WTF is this nonsense lol..I was too busy trapping possums etc to watch this stuff..brings back memories tho
@@berniehayes8425 I think my mum wanted us to learn about cultures other than ours., rather than learn from the racism that was so common on TV when I was a kid.
She told us there's good and bad in everyone.
R.I.P Mum xx
@mikey_dean Do you remember Monkey? 😊🇬🇧
Great episode. I've always wonder why Bruce would go for someone like Betty Ting Pei. He and Nora Miao would make a great couple. No offense to Linda.
Maybe he likes bad girls like those girls who would go for bad boys. Or probably because Nora was actually his brother's girlfriend
Nora was very beautiful and Bruce had a soft spot for her, probably precisely because of her beauty, every guy is "spoiled" by a beautiful woman. Betty acted in "dirty" movies and pretended to be a sexy woman, she learned to play different sexy looks and look "seductive", but all this is a fake on her part, just an act. But it probably made an impression on Bruce Lee, who "liked" women very much. A woman who offers "sex" with her looks must have captivated him. She didn't make an impression on me.
lol Tom Bleeker. The guy who thinks he knows everything about Bruce and his martial arts background but doesn’t.
Just wait, I recorded a three part detailed takedown of Unsettled Matters coming in a few weeks. I’m in Hong Kong now by the way.
@@TheKungFuGenius oh wow really? That’s super cool. I would liked to have gone on that tour at some point but it’s a lot of walking and I tend to get headaches after about two hours walking.
Looking forward to the 3 part unsettled matters videos 👍🏻
I practice martial art intro is so amazing🤩🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank you!
The issue with Bruce's final month on earth is that he was using cocaine so heavily at the time that it is impossible to tell which of his decisions were driven by common sense and which by his addiction to the drug. What made him do this or that? Was he totally sober and taking some of the decisions he made, or was he high as a kite? Thus, everything turns into a puzzle.
"Game of Death" would not do well in the American market, in my opinion. It was your standard Hong Kong movie, and it would certainly perform well there, but the US market is far more picky.
What's noteworthy about this situation is if cocaine use affected Bruce's ability to make sensible decisions.
Sifu
Dre does not have a clue and is on a different planet .........
You must be new here.
@@TheKungFuGenius was Bob Baker his friend ?
Hahaha someone who does not know who Bob Baker was (or how to use Google apparently) calls Dre “clueless”.
🙄
meaning was Bob a " friend of Dre " in respect of his slow uptake due to ingestion of Coca Cola !
@@TheKungFuGenius Was watching Bruce in UK cinemas in 1974 before the 2nd generation of the 80's jumped on board . You had to be there to witness the queues around the block and that 70's nostalgia .
Bruce Lee was naked on bed and Raymond chow put his clothes on wow
Allegedly, it’s impossible to say for sure what went on.
Rumble in the Bronx is one the best films ever made... in my top 5 faves
Power facts. 💯
Can't wait to find out how it ends lol.
Problem with the last month's is too much rambling
That is a problem, isn’t it?
It was circle of iron....carradine was the lead....sort of. The main protagonist was some Newberry that couldn't fight very well. It also had Christopher Lee, Eli Wallace, and a few others....it is God awful