The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)

In post-WWII Japan, an American captain is brought in to help build a school, but the locals want a teahouse instead.

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

John Patrick (screenplay), Vern J. Sneider (book)

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Machiko Kyô

Nominated for 6 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marlon Brando	...	Sakini
Glenn Ford	...	Capt. Fisby
Machiko Kyô	...	Lotus Blossom (as Machiko Kyo)
Eddie Albert	...	Capt. McLean
Paul Ford	...	Col. Wainwright Purdy III
Jun Negami	...	Mr. Seiko
Nijiko Kiyokawa	...	Miss Higa Jiga
Mitsuko Sawamura	...	Little Girl
Harry Morgan	...	Sgt. Gregovich (as Henry {Harry} Morgan)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jane Chung	...	Woman

Storyline

This comedy-drama is partially a gentle satire on America's drive to change the world in the post-war years. One year after World War II, Captain Fisby is sent to the village of Tobiki in Okinawa to teach the people democracy. The first step is to build a school -- but the wily Okinawans know what they really want. They tell him about their culture and traditions -- and persuade him to build something they really want instead: a teahouse. Fisby has a hard time breaking this news to his superiors.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | homosexual subtext | male male relationship | male female relationship | female sexual predator | 

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Taglines:

All The Riotous Fun Of The Prize-Winning Stage Comedy!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though entirely unknown to American audiences, Machiko Kyo was Japan's biggest movie star at the time, which explains why she received star billing with Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford.

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Quotes

Col. Wainwright Purdy III: Plan B calls for the schoolhouse to be pentagon-shaped.

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Connections

Referenced in Murphy Brown: Off the Job Experience (1989)

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Soundtracks

Deep in the Heart of Texas
(uncredited)
Lyrics by June Hershey
Music by Don Swander
Sung by Captains Fisby and McLean at the Teahouse

User Reviews

A gem!

This movie was the first chance to see Marlon Brando in a truly comical role, not the "He Man"-unbelievably good! His accent, his body movements, the Japanese he spoke, hard to believe this was the same man who did the Waterfront.I really think he deserved an award for this role. These were a couple of the most enjoyable hours I've ever spent. Having lived in Okinawa, and familiar with the practical, down-to-earth people there, I enjoyed the movie that makes so much fun and caricatures narrow-mindedness and pompousness while exalting creativity, adaptation, and "what really matters". The movie does make fun of the narrow-mindedness of some Americans, and shows the Okinawans with respect and tenderness, as assertive, business-minded, resilient, and proud. A real quality movie, and I'm so glad I taped it from Turner Classic movies.10 out of 10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

December 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Teahouse of the August Moon

Filming Locations:

Nara, Japan

Box Office

Budget:

$3,926,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) 4-Track Stereo Stereo (Perspecta Sound)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55:1