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The Teahouse of the August Moon
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Synopsis
Marlon Brando went out on yet another creative limb when he insisted upon playing sly, philosophical Okinawan interpreter Sakima in the 1956 filmization of John Patrick's Broadway play Teahouse of the August Moon. While he occasionally lapses into "flied lice" stereotyping, for the most part Brando is quite effective and amusing, especially when facing up to the difficult task of speaking directly to the audience. The story is set in Okinawa in the months following V-J Day. Paul Ford (repeating his Broadway role - and replacing Louis Calhern, who died at the start of production) plays an American colonel in charge of the occupation troops. Determined to bring Western civilization to the Okinawans, the colonel assigns captain Glenn Ford to do his bidding. A habitual screw-up, Captain Ford hopes to make good by organizing the Okinawan women into a social club and by building a schoolhouse. But the villagers would rather erect a teahouse, serviced by pretty geisha girls. The ever-resourceful Sakima (Brando) does his manipulative best to curry favor with the Americans while still mollifying his own people. Co-starring in Teahouse of the August Moon is Machiko Kyo, leading lady of such Japanese film classics as Rashomon and Gate of Hell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Eddie Albert Captain McLean
Marlon Brando Sakini
Glenn Ford Capt. Fisby
Paul Ford Colonel Purdy
Machiko Kyo Lotus Blossom
Jun Negami Mr. Seiko
Mitsuko Sawamura Little Girl
Frank Tokunaga Mr. Omura
Raynum K. Tsukamoto Mr. Oshira
Harry Morgan Sgt. Gregovich
Henry Morgan Sgt. Gregovich

Production Crew

Eddie Imazu Art Director
William Horning Art Director
Vern J. Sneider Book Author
John Alton Cinematographer
Saul Chaplin Composer (Music Score)
Daniel Mann Director
Harold Kress Editor
William J. Tuttle Makeup
Saul Chaplin Musical Direction/Supervision
John Patrick Play Author
Jack Cummings Producer
John Patrick Screenwriter
Edwin B. Willis Set Designer
Hugh Hunt Set Designer
Warren Newcombe Special Effects
Year: 1956
Runtime: 123
Country: USA
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature

Genre
Comedy Drama

Color type
Metrocolor

Produced by
Jack Cummings Productions
MGM

Awards
1956 - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - Golden Globe
1956 - Motion Picture Promoting International Understanding - Golden Globe