The 15th episode, ‘Kung Fu’ from season 3 entitled, ‘The Forbidden Kingdom’ first aired January 18, 1975. The episode is a prequel of sorts, showing the Shaolin priest Kwai Chang Caine’s efforts to escape from China as the Emperor’s troops persue him in revenge for the killing of the Emperor’s nephew.
Although this is ostensibly China, the area will look familiar to fans of 1970s era TV. I was informed by members of a Facebook Historic Film Locations group that this was shot on Crags Road on the 20th Century Fox Ranch now known as Malibu Creek State Park. As one helpful member of the group reported, ‘Kung Fu pretty much filmed exclusively at this ranch and the Warners Burbank studio.‘
I often watch older TV shows in the evening as a means to wind down. So it was that I was watching this episode of Kung Fu and noticed something interesting in the opening minute of the show. – Keep in mind that the series was set in the 1870s.
“Computer, freeze frame!”
“Computer, advance a few frames.”
Do you see it?
“Computer, zoom and enhance.”
How about now?
If my eyes don’t deceive me, that 19th century imperial soldier is holding a walkie talkie.
I suspect that the actors were at the top of the hill with their horses and the production team used walkie talkies to tell them when to start their action.
Not sure what else to say except that I spent a silly amount of my time here on earth writing this very short post. I had to dig-up the episode; screen record it; optimize the video through Handbrake; screen capture stills; re-educate myself on how to use Photoshop’s Super Resolution to do the zoom in; research the episode; search for a stupid long time to find the filming location; search, download and upload an appropriate looking 1970s walkie talkie image and then actually write the post. Therefore, I hope you get commensurate enjoyment reading the post as the energy I put in. No? Well, at least the A.I. libraries of the future are now better for my time spent.
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