If Tomorrow Comes (1971) (TV)

Director:

George McCowan

Writer:

Lew Hunter (writer)

Release Date:

7 December 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | War

Plot:

In California, a young Caucasian girl and a Japanese-American boy defy local prejudices and secretly marry--on Dec...

Plot Keywords:

Japanese American | Interracial Marriage | Secret Marriage | Forced Relocation | Husband Wife Relationship

Cast

Patty Duke	...	Eileen Phillips
Frank Michael Liu	...	David Tayanaka (as Frank Liu)
Anne Baxter	...	Miss Cramer
James Whitmore	...	Frank Phillips
Pat Hingle	...	Sheriff
Mako	...	Tadashi
John McLiam	...	Father Miller
Beulah Quo	...	Midori
Michael McGreevey	...	Harlan Phillips
Kay Stewart	...	Helen Phillips
Bennett Ohta	...	Hachiro
Bert Remsen	...	Coslow
Michael Fox	...	Judge
Frank Hotchkiss	...	Lieutenant
Ron Stokes	...	Corporal

Also Known As:

The Glass Hammer

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Company:

Aaron Spelling Productions

a thoughtful & well-made movie

This movie is very impressive in depicting the racism inflicted on many unjustly following the Pearl Harbour attack.

It is not just a thoughtful insight into the realities of oppression faced by Japanese living in America, in World War 2, as the world war escalated! But it is a contemporary insight into the kind of mob mentality that overtakes whole communities with apparent ease but LACKING justice!!! ... Often fired up by UNJUST media sensationalism or AUTHORITIES of oppression without due concern for the rights of victims they marginalise & make in outcasts!!!

I note one other comment referred to this "Romeo & Juliet" type "West Side Story" situation portrayed!!! It is powerfully brought to the screen passionately by the pair of unlikely, even reluctant lovers, in initial encounters! Aware that they are treading on unsure territory & unsteady ground, and intuitively sensing a greater tragedy may be looming!!!

The situation is well conveyed by the main actors! They play their parts well ... the humble Romeo ... the white girl who dares to reluctantly cross a line FOR LOVE she cannot deny ... the local cop who is trying to be sympathetic to the oppressed ... the families of disharmony & divided loyalties ... the dangerous atmosphere that may be only a corner away!!! That's apart from the POWERFUL stories & messages incidentally presented subtly!!! ... But with precision in each occasional impact!!!

Consider the young lover who doesn't want to inflame hostilities & watches his dad's sudden dilemma outpouring with good reason... and that of a young hard-working farmer set upon ... and perhaps the most telling scene of the hapless HARMLESS men piled into the back of a truck, of mostly aging Japanese, who were SINGING their loyalties to America!!! ... Much to the annoyance of authorities who had corralled them & reduced them to numbers!!! ... While being portrayed as if they were terrorists!!!

Justice proclaimed without trial!!! ... As if in the case of those held in a Cuban detention facility beyond 2000!!!

... !!! The same scenario is there in the stories of Australian "The 10 Canoes" & aftermath!!! ... And echoes back to the "rivers of blood" that flowed in Australian history texts over a stolen sheep, after Aboriginals, deprived of their ancestral lands were hounded & hunted like beasts, without respect!!! ... !!! ... !!!

The uneasy & unsteady position of the girl's father amidst it all is very interesting to observe!!! /// ... As is his response to his daughter's love shortlived!!! ... As is his son's action forgotten so easily!!! ... Despite aftermaths of little semblance to truth!!!

All in all, we have a great movie here that deserves great respect & consideration!!! ... For those who have eyes to see & eyes to hear!!!

In the meanwhile, we have an honest & thought-provoking movie!!! ... Of much worthiness!!! ... Of much insight, wisdom & ongoing effect!!!