The transcript below is from the video “Shek Kin on Bruce Lee and Enter the Dragon (English subtitled)” by Sifu Subtitles.

Sifu Subtitles (YouTube Channel):

Shek Kin played Mr Han in Enter the Dragon. He talks about his memories of Bruce Lee and working on Enter the Dragon.

Shek Kin had a long and successful film and tv career. He acted in numerous black and white Cantonese films most notably as villains opposite Kwan Tak Hing as Wong Fei Hung. Shek Kin was also in many other classic films such as The Young Master staring Jackie Chan.

Shek Kin (or as Shih Kien, Hong Kong-based Chinese actor, stunts, director): 

I used to make movies with Bruce Lee’s father.  I knew him then, he was still a kid.  He went to play in the movie set with his father.  They say he had fights as a kid.  That’s what I’ve heard.  He went to La Salle College.  That’s what I’ve heard.  I never saw him fighting.

Enter the Dragon 

Shek Kin (or as Shih Kien, Hong Kong-based Chinese actor, stunts, director): 

Fist of Fury was seen by the American director in Germany.  Went back and told Warner Brothers and it was done.  They wanted to make the movie.  I couldn’t speak English.  A lady taught me to speak.  There was a scene.  It was my place.  I walk along and speak, two cameras follow me.  I said to the director, “It’s a wide shot.  Close ups you can see my mouth moving.  But this wide shot, why don’t you let me speak my own language?”  He agreed.

In Cantonese we filmed it.  I walk along and speak the lines.  After the scene, Bruce says, “You look really grand.”  Of course, the place was mine.  I’m the boss, I have to be grand.  Golden Harvest gave me a contract, said Bruce Lee wanted to make a movie with me.  I signed it.  But it’s useless now.

Bruce Lee’s Death 

Shek Kin (or as Shih Kien, Hong Kong-based Chinese actor, stunts, director): 

He went to USA to see his sister.  His sister said doctors examined him.  His spine was injured in the past… infection reached his brain.  His sister said this.  One day, after New Year, I was in makeup.  He walks behind me, he sits there.  He says, “Uncle Kin, I won’t live as long as you!”  I was surprised.  I said, “Nephew, in the past, you practiced Kung Fu.  Now, you’re in movies.  Practice less and sleep more.  We don’t get enough sleep in the business.”  He says, “I treat movies as just a side job.”  Nothing more to say.  Maybe, he felt something wrong.

Bruce Lee’s Personality 

Shek Kin (or as Shih Kien, Hong Kong-based Chinese actor, stunts, director): 

In the morning, I’m lazy to work.  I rest before work.  It’s before work.  Makeup done, going to the external scenes.  I get in the car and I nap.  I nap or rest my eyes.  Unluckily, I’m in the same car as Bruce Lee.  He gets in and sits next to the driver.  He has lots to talk about, just jokes – nothing important.  He lifts his legs and stretches.  So even short times, he’s training.  But afternoon, about 4pm, he looks tired.  I’m used to going all the way until morning.

Bruce Lee Training 

Shek Kin (or as Shih Kien, Hong Kong-based Chinese actor, stunts, director): 

He had an electric machine to train arms.  You hold a fist and compete with it.  If you can’t endure it, turn it off.  If you can endure it, turn it up.  Train the muscles here.  I’ve not tried it.  I don’t like this stuff.  I went to visit his place once.  In his house, he had a ball tied to the floor and up on elastic.  He hits it.  He hits it mostly, doesn’t miss much.  He says, “Hey Uncle Kin, you try it.”

I whack it sideways.  So, I hit it.  He says, “Hey!  You hit it like that!?”  I say, “That’s what the elders teach.”  This is combat arts.  If he dodges side-to-side, whack him horizontally.  If he ducks his head, uppercut him.  That’s what the elders taught me.