Go for Broke! (1951)

The story of Japanese-American soldiers who fought in Europe during World War II.

Director:

Robert Pirosh

Writer:

Robert Pirosh

Stars:

Van Johnson, Lane Nakano, George Miki

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Van Johnson	...	Lt. Michael Grayson
Lane Nakano	...	Sam
George Miki	...	Chick
Akira Fukunaga	...	Frank
Ken K. Okamoto	...	Kaz
Henry Oyasato	...	Ohhara
Harry Hamada	...	Masami
Henry Nakamura	...	Tommy
Warner Anderson	...	Col. Charles W. Pence
Don Haggerty	...	Sgt. Wilson I. Culley
Gianna Maria Canale	...	Rosina (as Gianna Canale)
Dan Riss	...	Capt. Solari

Storyline

A tribute to the U.S. 442nd Regimental Combat Team, formed in 1943 by Presidential permission with Japanese-American volunteers. We follow the training of a platoon under the rueful command of Lt. Mike Grayson who shares common prejudices of the time. The 442nd serve in Italy, then France, distinguishing themselves in skirmishes and battles; gradually and naturally, Grayson's prejudices evaporate with dawning realization that his men are better soldiers than he is. Not preachy.

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Plot Keywords:

japanese american | 442nd regimental combat team | pidgin | white glove test | world war two | 

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Taglines:

Go For Broke! (means shoot the works!)

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several of the main characters were played by actual members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team depicted in the film. The men saw action with the outfit in Italy and France.

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Goofs

During the fire fight in the ancient ruins a 61 mm mortar is set up behind a high stone wall. Had there been real rounds they would of hit the wall above the soldier's heads because the angle of the mortar was not great enough to allow the rounds to clear the wall.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Japanese-American Soldier: Kanakas. The ones from Hawaii. You know what they call us mainlanders? Kotonks. The way they tell it if you rap on our heads it's like hitting a coconut. Hollow heads, you know? Kotonk, kotonk, kotonk.

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Connections

Featured in Poltergeist (1982)

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Soundtracks

The Meaning of Love
Written by Robert Pirosh, Alberto Colombo and Ken K. Okamoto

User Reviews

American history to be definitely remembered and honoured...

This film depicts (for a 50's war flick) the trials of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a group of ALL-VOLUNTEER Japanese-American soldiers that fought in Europe against the Axis forces. The soldiers in this unit volunteered from the concentration, err... internment camps to fight for their and our country. They performed brilliantly and became the highest decorated unit in U.S. Army history. Former Senator Daniel Inouye was an officer in the 442nd, too!

While this is not the most exciting war movie ever made, it is certainly worth adding to a collection, especially since it can be bought in a 2-VHS set with "Gung Ho." Of special note is the scene where two German soldiers are trying to make heads-or-tails of of the Japanese chatter on field phone lines they are tapping.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese Italian Hawaiian German French

Release Date:

14 September 1951 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Go for Broke!

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,337,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1