Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Explained

Runtime:44–46 minutes
Creator:Ed Spielman
Executive Producer:Michael Sloan
Narrated:Richard Anderson
Composer:Jeff Danna
Network:Prime Time Entertainment Network
Num Seasons:4
Num Episodes:88 (list of episodes)

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues is an action/crime drama series and sequel to the original 1972–75 television series Kung Fu. While the original Kung Fu series was set in the American old west, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues was set in modern times. It starred David Carradine and Chris Potter as a father and son trained in kung fu – Carradine playing a Shaolin monk, Potter a police detective.[1] [2] The series aired in syndication for four seasons from January 27, 1993, to January 1, 1997, and was broadcast in over 70 countries. Filming took place in Toronto, Ontario.[3]

The show was canceled when its producer, Prime Time Entertainment Network (also known as PTEN), ceased operations and no other producer opted to continue the series.

Plot

Like his grandfather and namesake from the original series, Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) is a Shaolin priest who walked out of the past. In 1978, Caine was the head of a temple in Northern California, where his son Peter (Chris Potter) also lived and studied, until the temple was destroyed in a fire caused by a renegade priest who believed the priests should serve as mercenaries. Each believed the other had perished in the fire and went on their separate ways; Caine wandered and traveled, much as his grandfather had, while Peter became a foster child and eventually a police officer. The series begins 15 years after the destruction of the temple, when Caine reunites with Peter after entering the Chinatown district of the city where he works.

Main cast

Production

In 1992, the series was sold to television stations as a first-run syndicated series, alongside Time Trax. The series was originally sold as Kung Fu: The Next Generation.[5]

Episodes

See main article: List of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues episodes.

Home media

On May 27, 2014, Warner Bros. released the complete first season on DVD in Region 1 in the USA only not Canada, via their Warner Archive Collection.[6] Season 2 was released on August 18, 2015.[7]

DVD nameEp #Release date
The Complete First Season22May 27, 2014
The Complete Second Season22August 18, 2015
The Complete Third Season22N/A
The Complete Fourth Season22N/A

The first season was released in Germany on DVD in 2009.

International broadcasters

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Willman. Chris. TV REVIEWS : Carradine Kicks In With New 'Kung Fu'. January 27, 1993. The Los Angeles Times. 2010-11-26.
  2. News: King. Susan. Retro : Kung Fu: Alive and Kicking. January 24, 1993. The Los Angeles Times. 2010-11-26.
  3. News: Storm. Jonathan. Still Alive and Kickin'. January 27, 1993. The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 22, 2021. Newspapers.
  4. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=nyu6CwAAQBAJ&dq=%22William+Dunlop%22+%22+Frank+Strenlich%22&pg=PA149. Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns: Supernatural and Science Fiction Elements in Novels, Pulps, Comics, Films, Television and Games, 2d Ed.. 149. Paul Green. 2016. 978-1-4766-6257-2. McFarland & Company.
  5. News: Lippman . John . Too Costly for Prime Time : Television: Plunging profits are forcing Hollywood to chop paychecks and rein in production costs. . April 22, 2021 . Los Angeles Times . March 22, 1992.
  6. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Kung-Fu-Legend-Continues-Season-1/19843 Available Sooner (Now!) and Cheaper: 'The Complete 1st Season' DVDs
  7. http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Kung-Fu-Legend-Continues-Season-2/20854 Early Info Provides Date and Cost for 'The Complete 2nd Season'