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THE KARATE KID (1984) (dir. John G. Avildsen) 40th ANNIVERSARY

These Brooklynites use a motor scooter for their transportation to work as a strike of subway employees continued into the second day, December 10, 1957. From left: Ronnie Harron, George Nicholson, Peter Garland, and John Avildsen (yes, the future film director). Instead of pushing into whatever subway trains were still running, the quartet squeezed onto the scooter for their above-ground ride.

Photo: Associated Press via News19

#vintage New York #1950s #motor scooter #subway strike #alternative transport #Dec. 10 #10 Dec.#John Avildsen #strike transport #1950s New York #vintage NYC

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The Karate Kid was released on 22 June 1984.

Screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen loosely based the story on his own life (he took karate classes after being beaten up by a group of bullies) and a news article producer Jerry Weintraub had optioned (with basically the same story line).

Pat Morita was initially rejected for the role of Mr. Miyagi due to his close association with comedy, especially his role in Happy Days (Morita grew a beard for a later audition, which apparently convinced the producers). William Zabka and Elisabeth Shue made their film debuts.

Made for around $8 million and receiving mixed reviews (many critics thought it was too similar to Rocky, which John Avildsen also directed), The Karate Kid earned more than $130 million at the box office and was one of the highest-grossing films of 1984. Pat Morita was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance.