Blood on the Sun (1945)

A dedicated American reporter in 1930s Japan is determined to expose that government's plan for world domination.

Director:

Frank Lloyd

Writers:

Lester Cole (screenplay), Nathaniel Curtis (additional scenes)

Stars:

James Cagney, Sylvia Sidney, Porter Hall

Won 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Cagney	...	Nick Condon
Sylvia Sidney	...	Iris Hilliard
Porter Hall	...	Arthur Bickett
John Emery	...	Premier Giichi Tanaka
Robert Armstrong	...	Col. Hideki Tojo
Wallace Ford	...	Ollie Miller
Rosemary DeCamp	...	Edith Miller
John Halloran	...	Capt. Oshima
Leonard Strong	...	Hijikata
James Bell	...	Charley Sprague
Marvin Miller	...	Yamada
Rhys Williams	...	Joseph Cassell
Frank Puglia	...	Prince Tatsugi

Storyline

Nick Condon is a newspaper reporter working in Tokyo who refuses to toe the Japanese line on the expansionist policies of the anti-democratic Imperialist government. When it becomes clear to the authorities that Condon isn't going to cooperate and that he has some valuable information and contacts, they decide to get him in their clutches for some interrogations and then dispose of him.

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Plot Keywords:

frame up | female spy | document | restaurant | 20th century | 

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Taglines:

A PICTURE WITH A MIGHTY PUNCH! (print ad - Lubbock Evening Journal - Arcadia Theatre - September 18, 1946 - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the DVD sleeve notes, prior to production James Cagney trained intensively in the martial-art of judo in preparation for his role. He trained under Ken Kuniyuki, who was a 5th Degree Judo Master. Cagney insisted that he perform his own stunts. He said in his memoirs, "I grew so fond of judo I used it to keep in shape until a back injury I picked up doing something else put me on the sidelines." Moreover, another instructor for Cagney was former LAPD policeman John Halloran, who plays the role of Capt. Oshima and can be seen in the closing fight sequence. Apparently Halloran quit the LAPD after FBI agents investigated him because he was an expert in judo.

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Goofs

During the fight Condon versus Oshima there are various and obvious mismatchs between audio and visual actions.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Arthur Bickett: But gentlemen, I know nothing about this article being printed. I was out of town.
Secret Police Major Kajioka: Then let me read what is printed here in your paper. "If Japan wants to control China we must first crush the United States just as in the past we have to fight in the Russo-Japanese war."

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer-colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in Going Hollywood: The War Years (1988)

User Reviews

Interesting Drama Flick

I must admit at the outset that Jimmy Cagney is not my favourite Hollywood personality, though I did enjoy this movie. (I just can't help thinking that he's going to break out into "Yankee Doodle" any minute). I thought this to be an interesting drama, with a bit of action (thought the martial arts scenes left a lot to be desired) and good performances by the leads. The story was great and that alone was enough to keep me interested all the way through. It seemed to be trying to be "noir" by having most of the elements of a true noir there, but as a whole I wouldn't classify it as such. Worth a look. The DVD copy I bought is excellent, a really clear copy with great sound.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

1945 (UK)

Also Known As:

Blood on the Sun

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

William Cagney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1