The Karate Kid

Daniel LaRusso moves from New Jersey to Reseda, in Los Angeles, with his mother. At school he falls for Ali, and her ex-boyfriend Johnny Lawrence, a student at the Cobra Kai dojo, starts going after him. Sensei John Kreese teaches that the enemy deserves no mercy. Daniel takes beatings until the building's handyman, Mr. Miyagi, steps in. Miyagi agrees to train him for the All Valley tournament, but starts with pointless chores: waxing cars, sanding the floor, painting the fence. Daniel learns it was training. At the tournament he gets hurt, returns for the final match and beats Johnny with a crane kick.

1. Behind the scenesBased on the screenwriter's life

   Screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen was attacked by a gang at 17, after the 1964 New York World's Fair, and began studying martial arts. That went into the script. Director John G. Avildsen also made Rocky, and Stallone joked that Kamen had ripped it off.

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2. CameoThe Miyagi who almost wasn't

   The studio wanted Toshiro Mifune as Miyagi, but he did not speak English. Pat Morita was turned down at first for being seen as a comedy actor. He grew a beard and taped a second audition with an accent modeled on his uncle.

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3. Behind the scenesJohnny's first pick

   Crispin Glover was the first choice for Johnny. William Zabka got it, a wrestler who had never trained in karate. Ralph Macchio was cast on the strength of The Outsiders (1983).

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