The Green Hornet (Archive of original photographs and contact sheets from the 1966-1967 television series)

N.p.: N.p., 1967. Archive of over 100 vintage color photographs and over 80 vintage color contact sheets from the 1966-1967 ABC television series. Nearly all of the photographs include a small label affixed to the top right corner with a production number in ink, and many of the contact sheets bear annotations in manuscript pencil. Unseen since the series' production, the photographs and contact sheets in the archive are likely the only set produced, thus unique.

An extensive archive of over 840 images, many featuring a young Bruce Lee and his co-stars Van Williams and Wende Wagner. Archive includes reference, portrait, publicity, and on-the-set photographs, set and location photographs, prop photographs, and several photographs of Lee and Williams at home with their families.

Created as a radio series in 1936 by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, the green-masked superhero and his confidant and driver Kato have since appeared in numerous films, television shows, comics, and books, though none quite as notable as the 1966-1967 series starring Lee and Williams. Premiering on September 9, 1966, on ABC, the short-lived series introduced Lee and martial arts fighting to the American public, both of which would gain enormous popularity over the ensuing decade, and secured the series as a cult favorite.

Lee, who already had years of experience as a child actor in the Hong Kong film industry, insisted Kato be played as a martial artist, rather than fighting by traditional fisticuffs, and this, in conjunction with his dashing, scene-stealing persona, helped launch his short but vibrant acting career.

Photographs: generally 4 x 5 inches, with all but two mounted to an 8 x 10 inch leaf. Near Fine overall, with some photographs separating from the leaves.

Contact sheets: 8 x 10 inches, with 1-25 images per sheet, with images varying in size from 1 x 1.5 inches to 4 x 5 inches.

All the photograph sheets, contact sheets, and two loose photographs have a two-hole punch at the top in the style of keybook photographs.

Seven images shown. Please contact our shop if you have an interest in seeing more. Serious inquiries only please.