Joe Butterfly (1957)

American soldiers in occupied Tokyo get mixed up with a conniving black-marketeer.

Director:

Jesse Hibbs

Writers:

Sy Gomberg, Marion Hargrove,

Stars:

Audie Murphy, George Nader, Keenan Wynn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Audie Murphy	...	Pvt. Joe Woodley
George Nader	...	Sgt. Ed Kennedy
Keenan Wynn	...	Harold Hathaway
Kieko Shima	...	Chieko
Fred Clark	...	Col. E.E. Fuller
John Agar	...	Sgt. Dick Mason
Charles McGraw	...	Sgt. Jim McNulty
Shinpei Shimazaki	...	Boku (little boy)
Reiko Higa	...	False Tokyo Rose
Tatsuo Saitô	...	Sakayama (father)
Chizu Shimazaki	...	Mother
Herbert Anderson	...	Maj. Ferguson
Eddie Firestone	...	Sgt. Oscar Hulick
Frank Chase	...	Yeo. Saul Bernheim
Harold Goodwin	...	Col. Hopper

Storyline

The staff of "Yank" magazine are among the first American troops into Tokyo after the Japanese surrender. Their mission: produce an issue of the magazine...in three days. To accomplish the seeming impossible, they reluctantly enlist the aid of black marketeer and arch-conniver Joe Butterfly, who sets them up in a palatial private mansion, complete with lovely daughter -- strictly against regulations. How much trouble can our heroes talk their way out of?

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Plot Keywords:

sergeant | animal in title | japan | army life | insect in title | 

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Taglines:

The Uproarious Saga of Those Hilarious Heroes Who Took Tokyo in a Storm of Laughter with their Riotous Operation Kimono!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 1957 (France)

Also Known As:

Die Rose von Tokio

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

A refreshing change of pace

Audie Murphy, the decorated WW II soldier is remembered today for his entertaining westerns and war films of the post war era. However, in this comic outing, Murphy and pals hit post war Japan and all sorts of hi-jinks develop in quick succession.

Audie is at ease here in the title role and brings an easy-going charm to a slightly above-average storyline. Keenan Wynn and John Agar offer fine support in a pleasing film that served to stretch Murphy out of his westerns rut.

This is the sort of film that demands little from the viewer, yet provides a pleasant viewing experience even for non-fans of the legendary war hero. Well worth another look.