After his box office success in Hong Kong from films like Fists of Fury, The Big Boss and Enter the Dragon, Bruce Lee had become a martial arts superstar. But prior to these films he was making a name for himself in American productions such as The Green Hornet, Batman, Ironside, Longstreet and the 1969 film Marlowe which would mark his American film debut in the states.

Directed by Paul Bogart by Marlowe is neo-noir, mystery film based on the 1949 novel The Little Sister, starring James Garner as the private detective Philip Marlowe who is trying to locate the brother of his newest client. The trail leads Philip Marlowe to two men who deny any information of the brother’s existence who are then both killed by an ice pick. It is then Marlowe gets the suspicion that there is much more to this case than just a simple missing person.

Cast in a supporting role Bruce Lee plays the role of Winslow Wong, a Chinese Kung Fu expert hired by the mob to intimidate Detective Philip Marlowe. The screenplay writer of the film Stirling Silliphant was actually a student of Bruce Lee and had written the part specifically for him in the film.

In a scene that stole the film, Bruce Lee enters Detective Marlowe’s office offering him a bribe of $2500 on behalf of a man, who would rather spill money, than blood to get off the case and deny any knowledge of a cover up.

When Detective Marlowe declines the bribe Bruce takes a more much physical approach in sending a message by trashing the detectives’ office with his bare hands destroying every bit of furniture in sight, with the highlight of him smashing the ceiling light with a jumping kick several feet in the air.

Lee proceeds to put on his sunglasses and casually walk out the very door he punched a hole through.