Chinese-American Kung Fu practitioner David Carradine (as Kwai Chang Caine) continues his wanderings in the American West, from the very successfully piloted TV-movie shown earlier in the year. For the most part, the series features a relatively high level of excellence in photography and performance (with the obligatory martial arts scenes). It's surprising to read some controversy concerning Carradine's being cast in the lead role; his convincing portrayal is, in hindsight, the driving force behind the series' enduring worth.
In episode one, Caine finds stability and happiness in a pseudo-family, after bringing orphaned Brandon Cruz (as Peter Gideon) to live on widow Lara Parker (as Amy Allender)'s ranch. This is the "Shane" plot, with race replacing the original's natural father (interestingly, Carradine starred in the 1966 TV version of "Shane"). Producers were wise to cast Mr. Cruz (from "The Courtship of Eddie's Father") and Ms. Parker (from "Dark Shadows") in the guest-starring roles; certainly, they lured in additional viewers.
Parker is especially effective (and quite remarkably unlike her famous "Angelique" character); she and Carradine convey an attraction that should have been the episode's primary focus. John Saxon (as Raven) is an effective home-wrecker. And, Mark Allen, another "Dark Shadows" alumni, appears very briefly, as a post office clerk who gives Cruz directions. A good start for "Kung Fu".
***** Kung Fu - King of the Mountain (10/14/72) Jerry Thorpe ~ David Carradine, Brandon Cruz, Lara Parker