There was a comedy movie from 1940 named Turnabout starring Adolphe Menjou and Carole Landis that had the same comedy bit with a karate instructor who was instructed to attack unexpectedly. A very funny movie. Maybe that's where they got the idea for the Pink Pather movies. The scene in The Manchurian Candidate sure was similar though, although not played for laughs obviously.

I thought so too! Great observation!

Duz yuer deug bat?

My fianc and I died laughing during that scene. The Pink Panther strikes again!

Aye wuld lack a Rruume!

I've only just watched the film and I couldn't help but smile throughout that scene. It's exactly what I thought.

Frankenheimer claimed that it was the first karate fight ever filmed. I don't remember if it was in the book. If not, then Kato had to be a take-off on Chun Jin.

Cool. We're both geniuses!!

First time I saw this movie, I thought the same thing.