"Martial arts have appeared in American movies since the days of Mr. Moto and Charlie Chan, but English-language martial arts films as a genre did not develop until the 1970s, with the breakthrough success of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. They have since proliferated enormously, encompassing every level of quality, employing every imaginable martial arts system, and spawning a cadre of action superstars known more for their ability to kick and punch than for their talent as actors. The films remain hugely popular and continue to inform the work of the leading lights of American cinema, from Coppola to Stone to Tarantino." "This history of American martial arts films, from major features to direct-to-video releases, begins with an overview of the martial arts in America, then moves on to discuss early trend-setting movies; the influence of Chinese kung fu film imports; martial arts on television; the explosive growth of the genre in the 80s; and recent releases, trends, and the direction of English-language martial arts movies. There is a selected filmography of 300 movies."--BOOK JACKET.