Tom saw Bong Soo Han during a performance by Master Han’s school as part of the Pacific Palisades 4th of July celebration. (Tom’s daughter, TC, had been in the parade playing guitar.) Tom was blown away by the Hapkido style of fighting and pursued Han to train him (and double him) for the fight scenes in ‘Billy Jack’. (Bong Soo went on to appear in ‘Trial of Billy Jack’ as well.) I believe this was a first get-together for Bong Soo to demonstrate his technique, to which Tom appears to have invited the neighborhood. Tom and Delores are present, as well as their children Frank and TC, and many of their friends, including Stefan Manolakas, Sam Manolakas, Stacy Manolakas, Craig Bradley, and Doug Ruland.
I am often asked why I didn’t take up karate, given my father became such an icon of the art. You see my explanation far more clearly than I can ever give it in person in the last photograph. Master Han used me as the demonstration dummy - over and over and over - during his teaching. Being twisted into a pretzel and eating grass all afternoon dulled my interest. That and I really sucked. But we were all in total awe of Master Han.
Stefan Manolakas takes one for the art
Important points: 1) Jeans are poor karate practice clothes; 2) guys who grow up playing golf usually aren't too good with their feet; 3) it was really, really hot that day; 4) I sucked.
Master Han - the picture of perfection - while I study intently... as if intent study was the key...
Rare moment when Master Han became the subject while Tom learns (unlike my version of the victim, Master Han did not go down)
Tom and Dody work with Master Han, TC and friend, Stacy Manolakas, practice together, as do Stefan Manolakas and I (right). Tom and Delores' daughter, Christina, is in on the fun in the playpen in the foreground.
Delores and Master Han practice as Han's assistant, Mike, talks with friend Doug Ruland. Stefan Manolakas and Mac Hunter watch in the background.
Stacy Manolakas takes her turn pummelling the bag. Easy Stacy!
Tom seems to be enjoying a bit of evil pleasure at taking Delores down, with Master Han's smiling approval.
Poor punching bag. First Stacy, now TC pummels.
Can you sense my dwindling interest? (This was demonstration number 500, or so it felt)
p.s. oh and im a bit jealous that frank laughlin, the teenage golfer here is all cut-up, and ive been boxing for years as a hobby and still have like no definition in my abs! why, you…
im the first non-laughlin fmily member/friend to comment on these pix in here! i hope not to ruin anything or intrude…i really love these pix,too. i like how you practiced together as a family like that. my family was never that close. but if i had a wife an kids, i would so love it if we did cool things like that-TOGETHER. very beautiful. very cool. the pix here really made me smile.
Wow. Those are some names I haven’t heard in a while! Very cool.
I like how I managed to fly under the radar and avoid the ground….:-)
Love it brother. The pictures, the memories, and seeing you in skinny jeans.
Great memories Frank.
Sam