The theme heard in this "test" was the same one heard on the original radio series (courtesy of George W. Trendle, who produced the radio show, and was "partners" with William Dozier in producing this TV version).
THE REALLY, REALLY SAD PART OF THE SHOW: Bruce Lee (R.I.P.) had just as many speaking lines in this TEST PILOT as he did in the whole 1 season worth of episodes - COMBINED.
Van Williams had outstanding eyes, and the Hornet costume he would go on to wear made them more so. The mask in this film made the actor's eyes hard to see, and they weren't visible enough when he was as Britt Reid. The scarf he wore in this film is similar to the one from the 1940 movie serial, and I kinda like it, but I don't mind what they went with.
The Lone Ranger, actually, since Britt Reid in this incarnation is a great-nephew of the Lawman. Of course, this Hornet would still be related, although he would be a few generations later.
@@gallery7596 Yep. As I recall, Britt Reid is the grandnephew of the Lone Ranger. George W. Trendle is credited with creating both the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet characters for WXYZ radio in Detroit. He was also involved in the Sgt. Preston series.
The masks kato and the green hornet wear, are actually like the one the long range wore. If you do your history on these to characters they share some close similarities. And the music for the theme is from the original green hornet.. the music is the " flight of the Bumblebee" which is odd i know.. but it fits because of the sound and feel of flight or flying. It's awesome how good this show was, they can never make one again without messing it up.
This guy plays Britt Reid a bit like Adam West played Bruce Wayne, but without the same knowingly comedic touch. He's good, very suave, but Van Williams was more dynamic and much more intimidating in the role. He also had better chemistry with Bruce Lee and the rest of the cast. Unfortunately Bruce has more dialogue here than he does in most episodes of the series. For as much as he got to shine in the action scenes this series really under used Lee as an actor.
That's why this was filmed as a "demo reel". Not filming a complete episode gave Bill Dozier the option to cast someone else in the lead without spending a fortune- in this case, Jay Murray didn't work out, and he was replaced with Van Williams, who obviously did a better job.
Totally agree about Bruce Lee. It gives the impression that Kato is just as savvy in the operation and over time, could have been a useful trait for plot twists.
Wow. Jay Murray was definitely NOT the guy. He was like a KEN DOLL come to life. Bland as hell. In fact, every lead character that was replaced was inferior to the eventual cast. Bill Dozier was very smart. Smartest move of course was KEEPING Bruce Lee as Kato. He knew there was no one else on Earth at that time for that particular role.💯🥇
The problem with the Green Hornet 60's series was that he was screwed from day one. The series was way too serious for the 60's, but if they camped it up, people would have complained that it was too much like Batman. BTW, the mask doesn't fit the Green Hornet too well.
Holy crap! I knew that Bruce had to slow down his moves so the camera could catch the action but in this test it was still so damned fast that you don’t realize that he moves anything until you notice the change in his position. I was a 7 year old kid when this show was on and never missed it because I couldn’t wait to see Bruce Lee in action each week. The Green Hornet was always too lame for me and the star of Batman was the Bat Mobile hands down!
I think I like that film serial costume over the one they designed for the TV series. Its more believable with the larger mask that scarf to hide all of his clothing.
DarkMsStress Bruce Lee was in both test episodes, and impressed producer William Dozier when he did his screen test. Van Williams is a distant cousin who grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and now lives near Malibu. Ironically, he and Adam West, who played TV's Batman", lives not far apart. Van was a reserve deputy sheriff for many years in the areas around Malibu, California.
Notice that in New York City in 1966 1) People smoked in their offices 2) They didn't buckle up their seat belts when driving. 3) No Black people lived in New York City. Needed comment here on point #3. In real life, Black people have lived in New York for the longest time. In TV-land they didn't. (Hint-hint; TV-land isn't always real.)
Holy bug-spray!!!
Thank you for this.
Bruce Lee and that car FOREVER!
Oh I wish shows like these were still around
I like this series so much +_+ , because BRUCE LEE with the mask is a great character ! , RIP BRUCE the greatest fighter & warrior in the World .
Lol, greatest fighter, that’s funny
The theme heard in this "test" was the same one heard on the original radio series (courtesy of George W. Trendle, who produced the radio show, and was "partners" with William Dozier in producing this TV version).
rest in peace. Green Hornet 😥😥😰😰
THE REALLY, REALLY SAD PART OF THE SHOW:
Bruce Lee (R.I.P.) had just as many speaking lines in this TEST PILOT as he did in the whole 1 season worth of episodes - COMBINED.
Van Williams had outstanding eyes, and the Hornet costume he would go on to wear made them more so. The mask in this film made the actor's eyes hard to see, and they weren't visible enough when he was as Britt Reid. The scarf he wore in this film is similar to the one from the 1940 movie serial, and I kinda like it, but I don't mind what they went with.
I like that he wears a scarf like the 1940s counterpart
They made the right decision to go with a different costume; Murray looks more like Zorro than the Green Hornet.
The Lone Ranger, actually, since Britt Reid in this incarnation is a great-nephew of the Lawman. Of course, this Hornet would still be related, although he would be a few generations later.
gkpirate Britt was actually written to be a descendent of the Lone Ranger? Well, now that you mention it, it seems so appropriate.
Gall ery ii
@@gallery7596 Yep. As I recall, Britt Reid is the grandnephew of the Lone Ranger. George W. Trendle is credited with creating both the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet characters for WXYZ radio in Detroit. He was also involved in the Sgt. Preston series.
It's kind of reminiscent of the costume used in the two Green Hornet serials from the 40s.
I love more of Van Williams’s version.
Jays version of Britt Reid/Green Hornet was actually pretty cool: loved the white scarf.but Van was really a great actor,perfect for this role.
Still better than the movie from 2011 with Seth Rogen
I was never going to watch it, but upon learning that "actor" is in it, I am even more never going to watch it.
Evil Must Be Met With Strong Resistance and Fearlessness.
I like the change of mask to green! I think Mr.Murray was good as the Hornet!
Cindy Wood looks and sounds a lot like Barbara Feldon.
She's less a 99 and more a 98.
@@hypnotised-clover😂👍
She sure does,maybe theyre related.
Damn I wanna watch more of that
Thank you!!!
The masks kato and the green hornet wear, are actually like the one the long range wore. If you do your history on these to characters they share some close similarities. And the music for the theme is from the original green hornet.. the music is the " flight of the Bumblebee" which is odd i know.. but it fits because of the sound and feel of flight or flying. It's awesome how good this show was, they can never make one again without messing it up.
The Lone Ranger was the Green Hornet's great-uncle (at least per the radio show).
I love the original TV series. That more recent movie starring Seth Rogan was so awful.
Jay Murray actually sounds like Al Hodge who plasyed the Hornet on the radio show.
Professor Wiley, familliar name...
Has anyone noticed the paper Mike was holding was completely blank.
This WAS a "test film".
Bruce has more dialogue in this test. And Jeff Corey is a nasty bad guy.
I noticed that!so cool to have Bruce talk in this clip.
This guy plays Britt Reid a bit like Adam West played Bruce Wayne, but without the same knowingly comedic touch. He's good, very suave, but Van Williams was more dynamic and much more intimidating in the role. He also had better chemistry with Bruce Lee and the rest of the cast. Unfortunately Bruce has more dialogue here than he does in most episodes of the series. For as much as he got to shine in the action scenes this series really under used Lee as an actor.
That's why this was filmed as a "demo reel". Not filming a complete episode gave Bill Dozier the option to cast someone else in the lead without spending a fortune- in this case, Jay Murray didn't work out, and he was replaced with Van Williams, who obviously did a better job.
Totally agree about Bruce Lee. It gives the impression that Kato is just as savvy in the operation and over time, could have been a useful trait for plot twists.
Bruce Lee had more lines in this clip than he did in two episodes.
Cindy Wood? Is that the sane Cindy Wood who later rose to fame as the widely adored Playboy Playmate?
Wow. Jay Murray was definitely NOT the guy. He was like a KEN DOLL come to life. Bland as hell. In fact, every lead character that was replaced was inferior to the eventual cast. Bill Dozier was very smart. Smartest move of course was KEEPING Bruce Lee as Kato. He knew there was no one else on Earth at that time for that particular role.💯🥇
Jay Murray was so obscure that I can't find any listing for him in IMDB.
Jeff Corey as Mr.Smith
I like this show, but it was Bruce Lee who kicked major butt!
wow I didn’t know that there’s the first green hornet before
Is there a test of Van Williams?
Yeah, Jay Murray was a bit wooden. No wonder they went with Van Williams.
Once again, Jeff Corey is "Mr. Smith".
Jeff Corey, great actor and teacher, was the rat alien in OBIT on the original Outer Limits. :-)
The problem with the Green Hornet 60's series was that he was screwed from day one. The series was way too serious for the 60's, but if they camped it up, people would have complained that it was too much like Batman. BTW, the mask doesn't fit the Green Hornet too well.
Holy crap! I knew that Bruce had to slow down his moves so the camera could catch the action but in this test it was still so damned fast that you don’t realize that he moves anything until you notice the change in his position. I was a 7 year old kid when this show was on and never missed it because I couldn’t wait to see Bruce Lee in action each week. The Green Hornet was always too lame for me and the star of Batman was the Bat Mobile hands down!
Never heard of Jay Murray.
That's Nelson Riddle music.
How right you are!
@@johnmanier7968 Thank you.
No Van Williams, was he not available? Was this before he auditioned?
I did notice a Batman transition effect.
I think I like that film serial costume over the one they designed for the TV series. Its more believable with the larger mask that scarf to hide all of his clothing.
A least Katowice got more lines in this test.
"...sublibmble instuchhtns ib anovver..."
Pretty clear why this joker didn't get the part...
Wow! This is test episode 2.0?..Is there a V1.0 around? Was Bruce Lee in that as well?
DarkMsStress Bruce Lee was in both test episodes, and impressed producer William Dozier when he did his screen test.
Van Williams is a distant cousin who grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and now lives near Malibu. Ironically, he and Adam West, who played TV's Batman", lives not far apart.
Van was a reserve deputy sheriff for many years in the areas around Malibu, California.
The other test episode was on RUclips for awhile, but I cannot find it now.
It was an actor other than Van Williams and Jay Murray.
***** I think I remember seeing it...Was it Robert Wagner?
DarkMsStress i think his name was micheal lipton
very short.
Henry Reid???????
Britt's father
Should be "Kato". Stupid predictive text.
Notice that in New York City in 1966
1) People smoked in their offices
2) They didn't buckle up their seat belts when driving.
3) No Black people lived in New York City.
Needed comment here on point #3. In real life, Black people have lived in New York for the longest time. In TV-land they didn't. (Hint-hint; TV-land isn't always real.)
hint-hint you need medication
They should make a new Green Hornet, with a female Asian assistant named Katy !
There's already a a female Kato named Mulan in the comics she is the original Kato's daughter. Kato is their surname.
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The mask even looks doesn’t fit even Van was perfect for the role!