The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

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		(director of photography)

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) | Finland:S | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Okinawa, Japan

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

When the movie was released, several moviegoers reportedly complained to theater owners after seeing the film that Marlon Brando was not in the film. Many were surprised to learn that he had been on-screen for most of the film.

Quotes:

Col. Wainwright Purdy III: Plan B calls for the schoolhouse to be pentagon-shaped.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "McHale's Navy: The August Teahouse of Quint McHale (#2.10)" (1963)

A great satire of the okinawan experience after WWII

I have spent many years on Okinawa and am always amazed at Brando's ability to create a character (Sakini) that is true to the Okinawan character. I have watched it many times over and enjoy it every time. When I'm asked why I visit Okinawa so often, I usually loan them my copy of "Teahouse" and wait for a response. It is a story of a resilient and happy people who have retained their culture, through many invasions. Brando's monologue at the beginning and end of the film masterfully explains it all. The kids will like it and adults should get a laugh while watching the arrogant victors being steered to the Okinawan's needs in a hilarious manner. It's not quite history and it's not quite fantasy, but it's all good fun.