They Call Me Bruce (1982) – Nostalgia Central

Korean comic Johnny Yune (who also wrote and produced the film) stars as a Chinese guy who – with the words of his dying grandfather echoing in his ears – leaves his home for America in search of the lady who helped the old man years before.

He gets a job working as a chef for a Mafia leader and is mistaken for a martial arts ace – a la Bruce Lee (hence the title).

He is then unwittingly drawn into a series of misadventures when he is called upon to deliver sacks of flour to other mobsters – except the flour is actually cocaine. He doesn’t know it’s cocaine, but before long, gangsters, cops and Feds are chasing him.

More by luck than judgement or skill, he helps bring the bad men to justice and finally discovers the identity of the “lady” he has been searching for.

Somewhere in the middle of all the Texan sheriffs, Las Vegas hookers, rival mobsters, Kung Fu Krishnas, street punks, and urban cowboys, Margaux Hemingway turns up as a karate-chopping gangster’s moll.

Sadly, the jokes are lame, the action is lame, and the acting (with some exceptions from Yune) is lame.

The film cost less than $2 million to make and grossed over $15 million in its limited release at the box office.

A 1987 sequel – They Still Call Me Bruce – was not commercially successful and was released straight to video in several territories.

Bruce/Grandfather
Johnny Yune
Karmen
Margaux Hemingway
Freddy
Ralph Mauro
Anita
Pam Huntington
Big Al
Martin Azarow
Boss of Bosses
Tony Brande
Lil Pete
Bill Capizzi
Officer Hangten
Harvey Vernon
Curtis
Heshimu Cumbuka
Officer Carp
Bob Hannah
Reverend
René Le Vant
Angela
Vidonne Sayre Linn
Hooker
Ivana Moore
Baby Moe
Phillip Simms
Officer #1
Peter Lampert
Officer #2
Ralph Strait
Fat Guard
Bruce Talkington
Inmate #1
Dottie Archibald
Inmate #2
Marsha Warfield
Inmate #3
Ken Sevara
Inmate #4
Jim O’Brien
Jewish Boss
Steve Bluestein
Jewish Killer #1
Freddie Hice
Jewish Killer #2
Steven Lambert
Polish Boss
Lee Delano
Polish Killer
Bill Kirchenbauer
Polish Mobster
Leo De Lyon
Louie
Tom Dreesen
Master
John Fujioka
Don Atelli
Ric Mancini
Joe The Finger
Howard Mann
Vito Brazzi
Phil Rubenstein
Bugsy
Lou Tiano
Joon
John Louie
Yes Man
Earl Karpen
Rico
Matt Greene
Restaurant Boss
Nick Cinardo
Agent In The Restaurant
Vince Deadrick Jr.
Busboy
Addison Randall
Hare Krishna #1
Buddy Gilyard
Hare Krishna #2
Tracy Vendrell
Hare Krishna #3
Eric E. Emerson
Senator
Bill Sorrells
Cowboy on Horse
David McCharen
Cowgirl Suzie
Corinne Bohrer
Trigger
Darrell Sandeen
Cowboy Stephan
Walter Robles
Cowboy Bart
Jimmy Davis
Cowboy Ned
Bruce Paul Barbour
Tara
Stephanie Faulkner

Director
Elliott Hong