The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

John Patrick (screenplay)
Vern J. Sneider (book)
(more)

Release Date:

December 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

All The Riotous Fun Of The Prize-Winning Stage Comedy!

Plot:

A satire on America's very own drive of a world changer: One year after world war ii, Captain Fisby...

Plot Keywords:

Village | Satire | Okinawa Japan | Geisha | Cultural Difference

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Golden Globes. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Marlon Brando	...	Sakini
Glenn Ford	...	Capt. Fisby
Machiko Kyô	...	Lotus Blossom (as Machiko Kyo)
Eddie Albert	...	Capt. McLean
Paul Ford	...	Col. Wainwright Purdy III
Jun Negami	...	Mr. Seiko
Nijiko Kiyokawa	...	Miss Higa Jiga
Mitsuko Sawamura	...	Little Girl
Harry Morgan	...	Sgt. Gregovich (as Henry {Harry} Morgan)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Carlo Fiore	...	Soldier (uncredited)
John Grayson	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Harry Harvey Jr.	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Miyoshi Jingu	...	Old Woman on Jeep (uncredited)
Roger McGee	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Dansho Miyazaki	...	Sumata's Father (uncredited)
Minoru Nishida	...	Mr. Sumata (uncredited)
Aya Oyama	...	Daughter on Jeep (uncredited)
Kichizaemon Sarumaru	...	Mr. Hokaida (uncredited)
Shichizo Takeda	...	Ancient Man (uncredited)
Frank Tokunaga	...	Mr. Omura (uncredited)
Raynum K. Tsukamoto	...	Mr. Oshira (uncredited)
Yosan Tsuruta	...	Judge (uncredited)

Directed by
Daniel Mann

Writing credits
John Patrick		(screenplay)
Vern J. Sneider		(book)
John Patrick		(play)

Produced by
Jack Cummings	....	producer

Cinematography by
John Alton

Film Editing by
Harold F. Kress

Art Direction by
William A. Horning
Eddie Imazu

Set Decoration by
Hugh Hunt
Edwin B. Willis

Makeup Department
William Tuttle	....	makeup designer

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Al Jennings	....	assistant director
William Shanks	....	assistant director
Hank Moonjean	....	assistant director (uncredited)
Robert E. Relyea	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Wesley C. Miller	....	recording supervisor (as Dr. Wesley C. Miller)
Van Allen James	....	sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Warren Newcombe	....	special effects

Music Department
Saul Chaplin	....	music supervisor
Kikuko Kanai	....	composer: Okinawan songs
Kikuko Kanai	....	music arranger: Okinawan songs

Other crew
Maurice Evans	....	stage presenter
Masaya Fujima	....	choreographer

Thanks
Masaichi Nagata	....	grateful acknowledgment (as Mr. Masaichi Nagata)

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1956) (USA) (theatrical)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1964) (USA) (TV) (original airing) (pan/scan)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1990) (USA) (VHS) (pan/scan)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Daiei Motion Picture Company  grateful acknowledgment

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) | 4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (certificate #18243) | Canada:G (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Okinawa, Japan

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "The Teahouse of the August Moon" by John Patrick opened at the Martin Beck Theater in New York on October 15, 1953, ran for 1027 performances and won the 1954 Tony Award for the Best Play. Paul Ford recreated his stage role in the movie version.

Quotes:

Col. Wainwright Purdy III: You'll need an interpreter...
Captain Fisby: I can study the language.
Col. Wainwright Purdy III: No need. We won the war.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Castle of Fu-Manchu (#4.23)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

Sakura Sakura

Brando great!

For a guy who had some heavy duty roles,Waterfront,Sreetcar etc. this role was a real challenge for Brando and he is fabulous and steals movie although Glenn Ford is great too. This shows Brando's brilliance as an actor not that there was ever any doubt but this early in his career to take this comedic challenge shows his versatility. Is Glenn Ford ever bad? I don't think he gets the credit for all his talent. This movie probably could not be made today a victim of PC. Must have Asian play Asian and don't offend the the Japanese although the only people made to look like fool were the Americans which is fine with me because it's a comedy and people are suppose to look foolish. Never on, but caught on TCM.