Lightning Karate Blow
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.
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Cast
19 people
Ken Takakura
Known for
Black Rain
The Yakuza
Harumi Urazato
Also in
Travels of Lord Mito Pt.10: Demon Naruto
Scramble for Fortune
Susumu Namishima
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Nanairo Kamen
The Boy Detectives Club – The Invisible Fiend
Takashi Kanda
Higa Saburo (Gisen's Disciple)
Known for
Return of Giant Majin
Isao Yamagata
Nagoe Gisen
Known for
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades
Samurai Rebellion
Toranosuke Ogawa
Known for
Godzilla
Seven Samurai
Yoshi Katō
Known for
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
Hachiko
Takamaru Sasaki
Known for
Throne of Blood
Invasion of Astro-Monster
Akikane Sawa
Known for
A Fugitive from the Past
Riki Iwaki
赤田鉄才
Mayumi Fujisato
Also in
Street Mobster
Nanairo Kamen
Yuji Kitamine
Also in
Nanairo Kamen
Invasion of the Neptune Men
Fujio Tsuda Director · Taihei Kobayashi Screenplay Yoshiharu Makino Author
First release January 29, 1956 · Produced in Japan · Original title 電光空手打ち
Production
Toei Company
Production
Japan
Produced in
Languages
Original title
電光空手打ち
Original language
Japanese
Spoken on screen
Japanese
Release dates
Japan · January 29, 1956
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
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Some details come from TheTVDB.