Pat Morita

in 1870, bumbling Philadelphia-based dentist Jesse W. Haywood (Don Knotts) travels west to set up a practice in the frontier. There, he meets Penelope Cushings (Barbara Rhoades), a pretty bandit who has agreed to investigate an Indian gun-smuggling operation in exchange for her freedom. When their wagon train is attacked, Penelope shoots several Indians dead. However, Jesse falsely assumes it was his errant gunshots that saved the wagon, and soon earns a reputation as a great gunslinger.

A vast improvement over its immediate predecessor, The Karate Kid III, this appealingly understated 1994 drama features a compelling performance by Hilary Swank, who would later win a Best Actress Oscar® for her work in Boys Don't Cry. Swank plays 17-year-old Julie Pierce, the recently orphaned and troubled granddaughter of an old war buddy of Miyagi Yakuga (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, the lone holdover from the previous Karate Kid films). Harassed at school by adolescent boys under the sway of an evil coach (Michael Ironside), Julie reluctantly finds refuge in the calm teachings of Mr. Miyagi.

The story continues of a young man's rites of passage, aided by the knowledge and guidance of his Japanese mentor, who teaches him valuable lessons in life through karate and meditation. In this sequel, Daniel and Miyagi travel to Okinawa and encounter more emotionally charged adventures. Literally picking up about five minutes after the conclusion of the 1984 The Karate Kid, the sequel, also directed by John G.

John G. Avildsen not only directed Rocky, he tried remaking it over the years in a dozen different ways. One of them was this popular 1984 drama about a new kid (Ralph Macchio) in town targeted by karate-wielding bullies until he gets a new mentor: the handyman (Pat Morita) from his apartment building, who teaches him self-confidence and fighting skills. The screen partnership of Macchio's motor-mouth character and Morita's reserved father figure works well, and the script allows for the younger man to develop sympathy for the painful memories of his teacher.

Kreese, the ex-marine whom Miyagi humbled with a few punches and kicks, has never forgotten the bitter taste of defeat. Bankrupt after the first tournament defeat, he's back with a particularly nasty friend and a new trainer--and he's aching to lure Miyagi and Daniel into the fight of their lives. When Daniel decides not to compete in the challenge, he becomes the target of numerous attacks by Kreese and his villainous friends, who will stop at nothing to win the title back.