Karate: The Hand of Death (1961) Review

“Karate: The Hand of Death” Theatrical Poster

Director: Joel Holt
Cast: Joel Holt, Frank Blaine, Akira Shiga, Joe Hirakawa, Reiko Okada, Ken Noyle, Fujio Ito, Bob Markworth, Maurice Gruel, Rie Sugura, Tony Sugahara
Running Time: 60 min.

By Ian Whittle

One of THE great companies of the early DVD era, Something Weird Video’s releases were a treasure trove of utterly bizarre nonsensical films you’ve never heard of. And thanks to them, we can pick up a lovely DVD full of hours of vintage kung fu movie trailers…oh, and Karate: The Hand of Death.

It’s strange to think of a Western martial arts movie made over a decade before the kung fu craze of the 1970s. Backed by the Japan Association of Karate, the film’s plot is essentially a re-hashed 40’s noir, The Maltese Falcon being a likely influence.

An elderly German living in Tokyo is murdered by a bare-handed karate assassin, and a rare coin stolen from around his neck. No sooner has this happened, then a former American GI (and karate expert) Matt Carver (Joel Holt, who also wrote and directed the film) arrives in the city, searching for his long-lost love. And he is possession of the coin…

Joel Holt was not normally a leading man (he comes off here as a third-rate Bogie) and whether or not he was a bona fide karate expert is subject to debate. In fact, he looks downright hilarious with his OTT mugging and comical chops (both acting and karate wise!). Which probably explains why he pairs himself up for the much of the running time with the utterly bizarre Frank Blaine, who plays an obese and effeminate crook also after the coin. Blaine’s mannered acting and outlandish appearance (he looks like a youngish man greyed up to look older) will either make you laugh or set your teeth on edge.

As a social document, the film is actually quite interesting. Shots of early 60s Tokyo, including visits to shines and strip clubs, retain a fascination and charm to them. Midway through the film, we are given a lengthy demonstration of karate at a dojo (scenes which ironically feature much better choreography than the fights involving our hero) which must have been quite the novelty at the time. Unfortunately, karate has to be explained to the increasingly irritating Blaine at great length, making you wish they used him as a brick.

And according to this film, Japanese law in 1961 required karate experts to register their hands with the police as lethal weapons! I’d love to know if this is true…

Ian Whittle’s Rating: 3/10 (but recommended nonetheless!)