They Still Call Me Bruce

Bruce arrives in Houston determined to locate the American G.I. who helped him as a child in Korea. With only a name and a hazy memory, he hopes to thank his hero and repay him with an antique Korean vase. His quest will pull him into a world of martial arts, streetwise schemes, and unexpected allies.

After following several dead-end leads, he meets the students of a local karate studio who introduce him to Master McLean. Believing Bruce to be a genuine karate master, McLean convinces him to run the studio in his absence while he takes care of business. Bruce, goofy yet clever, dons a black belt and starts teaching, fooling the students with his own tricks.

While teaching, Bruce forms a bond with Billy, a young orphan who trains alongside the others. He gradually becomes a father figure and mentor, guiding Billy through lessons both martial and personal. The studio becomes their shared ground as Bruce's care for Billy grows.

Bruce's search for Ernie Brown leads him to the massage parlor of crime boss Mr. B. Before he can meet the boss, Bruce steps in to defend Polly from harassment by the goons. In the melee, he is forced to flee, leaving behind his antique vase for Mr. B to discover.

Mr. B spots the vase and remarks that he hasn't seen such a piece since the Korean War, hinting at a shared past between him and Bruce's hero. The vase's reappearance deepens the danger and ties the objects to a larger vendetta. This moment tightens the clock on Bruce's search.

Bruce and Polly become targets as goons close in, and a game of hide-and-seek unfolds through the city while a detective shadows Mr. B's operation. They dodge traps, near misses, and comic misdirections as they try to recover the vase and stay one step ahead of their pursuers. The chase heightens the stakes while staying light in tone.

A dancer challenges Bruce's skills in a club, and a gesture he gives to a motorcycle gang is misunderstood, causing more chaos. Bruce's attempts to improvise martial prowess collide with comic misreadings, as Polly's safety remains the focus. The scene blends humor with danger.

A wild bull becomes a chaotic vehicle for Bruce, giving him a ridiculous ride and pushing the pursuit forward. The stunt exaggerates the lengths Bruce must go to protect Polly and the vase. The sequence threads physical comedy with danger.

As the confrontation comes to a head, Mr. B's goons locate Polly and knock Billy into a coma. Bruce must rescue Polly and recover the vase, entering a dangerous showdown with Mr. B. The stakes escalate as the clock runs out.

Mr. B arranges a fight against his champion fighter—the Executioner—to force Bruce into submission. Bruce is initially outmatched, but Billy's awakening from the coma inspires him to fight back with renewed resolve and a cheeky sock-based tactic, turning the tide. The crowd roars as Bruce edges toward victory.

Bruce's hard-won win prompts Mr. B to renege on the deal, but a detective investigating him arrives just in time to arrest the crime boss. The immediate threat dissolves as law enforcement closes in. Polly and Billy watch triumphantly as Bruce stands tall in the ring.

Polly and Billy join Bruce in the ring to return his vase and celebrate his victory. The mood is festive, but Bruce hints at a lingering unease, a feeling that there is more to the truth than meets the eye. They share a moment of relief and pride in their teamwork.

The detective reveals that he is Bruce's childhood hero, Ernie Brown, the same G.I. who inspired the journey, now undercover as Slim. The reunion is swift and emotional as Bruce thanks him and returns the vase. The film closes on a warm note, with mentor and protegé renewed.