LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles has honored an underdog that became a top dog: "The Karate Kid."
The movie, which was filmed in LA's San Fernando Valley, was honored Friday to mark the 30th anniversary of its release.
Director John Avildsen and some cast members received a resolution from Councilman Mitchell Englander during a City Council meeting in Van Nuys.
Englander says the film had a limited budget and no big-name stars when it came out in June 1984 but has become an instant classic.
The film starred Ralph Macchio as a picked-on teenager who learns about life and karate from a wise mentor.
Scenes were filmed at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve and at Cal State Northridge.
Macchio didn't attend the ceremony and Pat Morita, who played his mentor, died in 2005.
