IN MEMORIAM: DAVID CARRADINE

I was saddened to hear about the death of David Carradine who starred in the classic television series "Kung Fu" in the 70's. As a child I religiously watched the series in syndication and loved Carradine's performance as a Shaolin Monk wandering around in the Old West helping those in need. His character was sort of a cross of Martin Luther King Jr. and a hardened warrior who only fought when there was no other option. The series was years ahead of its time and spawned countless imitators, even Carradine reprised the character several times and starred in a 90's syndicated series "Kung Fu: The Next Generation" playing the grandson of the original character.

However many people will remember his powerful performance in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" playing the leader of an assassination squad who eventually has a showdown with his former lover (Uma Thurman). The character was pretty much the opposite of his "Kung Fu" character, the dark side of him in fact. In Carradine's hands the character was a fully developed and fascinating person who you couldn't help regretting his eventual demise at the end of the movie.

I am not going to delve into the controversy about how Mr. Carradine died, I prefer to look at his life as one that was well lived and to enjoy the great work that he left behind.

Take care David Carradine see you on the other side.