The Crimson Kimono (1959)

Two detectives seek a stripper's killer in the Japanese quarter of Los Angeles, but a love triangle threatens their friendship.

Director:

Samuel Fuller

Writer:

Samuel Fuller

Stars:

Victoria Shaw, Glenn Corbett, James Shigeta

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Victoria Shaw	...	Christine Downs
Glenn Corbett	...	Det. Sgt. Charlie Bancroft
James Shigeta	...	Det. Joe Kojaku
Anna Lee	...	Mac
Paul Dubov	...	Casale
Jaclynne Greene	...	Roma
Neyle Morrow	...	Hansel
Gloria Pall	...	Sugar Torch
Pat Silver	...	Mother (as Barbara Hayden)
George Yoshinaga	...	Willy Hidaka
Kaye Elhardt	...	Nun
Aya Oyama	...	Sister Gertrude
George Okamura	...	Charlie, karate teacher
Ryosho S. Sogabe	...	Priest (as Reverend Ryosho S. Sogabe)
Bob Okazaki	...	George Yoshinaga (as Robert Okazaki)

Storyline

Classic, hard-to-find Sam Fuller pic is intriguing noir about two detective partners, one caucasian and one Japanese, who try to solve a complicated murder case. Unfortunately, trouble arises when along the way, both of them fall in love with the key witness!

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Plot Keywords:

love | stripper | painting | artist | love triangle | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

October 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Den blodrøde kimono

Filming Locations:

Burbank Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Globe Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Nov. 1959, Columbia Pictures distributed this film on a double bill with Battle of the Coral Sea starring Cliff Robertson.

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Goofs

The final aerial shot pulling back from the streets of Los Angeles is running backwards, evidenced by the vehicle headlights all running backwards.

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Connections

Featured in How to Commit Marriage (1969)

User Reviews

Pleasant Surprise

Caught this late one night on a cable station, and went out of my way to watch it a second time sober. Then watched part of it again just to be sure I liked as much as I thought I did. What surprised me more than anything was how the movie portrayed Asian-Americans during a time period when they were usually marginalized or ignored in other movies. This film also subtly mocks the prevalent stereo-type of the standard studly handsome action-hero. OK. Not really so subtle, but still enjoyable without being too horribly trite. All that combined with a rather scrumcious detective plot makes this a mystery movie definitely worth tracking down and watching. Had this movie been done in the late 90s as a small, indie film, it probably would have done extremely well. At least 30 years ahead of its time.