The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

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

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

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 19

10:00 PM

TCM

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)

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:

On Okinawa, the village of Tobiki where the story is supposed to take place, does not really exist. However, on the southern part of the island near the capital city of Naha, there really is a Teahouse of the August Moon, which is now a popular restaurant that features local cuisine and Ryukyuan folk dancing.

Quotes:

Sakini: Pain make man think. Thought make man wise. Wisdom make life endurable.

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

Deep in the Heart of Texas

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.