Sayonara (1957)

A US Air Force major in Kobe confronts his own opposition to marriages between American servicemen and Japanese women when he falls for a beautiful performer.

Director:

Joshua Logan

Writers:

Paul Osborn (screen play), James A. Michener (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Ricardo Montalban, Patricia Owens

Won 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marlon Brando	...	Major Lloyd Gruver
Patricia Owens	...	Eileen Webster
James Garner	...	Captain Mike Bailey
Martha Scott	...	Mrs. Webster
Miiko Taka	...	Hana-Ogi
Miyoshi Umeki	...	Katsumi
Red Buttons	...	Joe Kelly
Kent Smith	...	General Mark Webster
Douglass Watson	...	Colonel Crawford (as Douglas Watson)
Reiko Kuba	...	Fumiko-San
Soo Yong	...	Teruko-San
Shochiku Kagekidan Girls Revue	...	Theatrical Revue
Ricardo Montalban	...	Nakamura

Storyline

Major Lloyd Gruver, a Korean War flying ace reassigned to Japan, staunchly supports the military's opposition to marriages between American troops and Japanese women. But that's before Gruver experiences a love that challenges his own deeply set prejudices... and plunges him into conflict with the U.S. Air Force and Japan's own cultural taboos.

---

Plot Keywords:

cultural differences | interracial marriage | interracial relationship | bare chested male | female impersonator | 

---

Taglines:

"I am not allowed to love. But I will love you if that is your desire..." Marlon Brando and an exquisite new Japanese star. They LIVE James A. Michener's story of defiant desire. It is called "Sayonara"

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of James Stacy.

---

Goofs

In the Kelly's house room, in front of the mirror, Maj. Gruver puts his both hands in his pockets. Next shot he is touching his wrist watch with his right hand.

---

Quotes

Fumiko-San: It is very bad of me! But I cannot help myself! He's so tall!

---

Connections

Referenced in You Bet Your Life: Episode #11.23 (1961)

---

Soundtracks

Narukami
(uncredited)
Words and Music by S. Oka

User Reviews

Two Sayonaras

There are two "Sayonara"s: the James Mitchner book and the

Hollywood adaptation. The Major Llyod Gruver portrayed in the book is

introduced as an army brat, graduate of West Point, no-nonsense air

force pilot and career officer who does not discuss personal matters

with enlisted men. The Ace Gruver introduced in the film is a

brooding Brando who arrives in a fighter jet instead of on a Triumph

motorcycle and whose best friend is Airman Kelly. The Japan portrayed

in the Mitchner book is the everyday Japan of narrow streets, noodle

vendors, ramen shops, yakitori stands, tatami rooms, and futon at bed

time. The Japan portrayed in the film is a land of geisha,

Takarazuka, kabuki, bunraku, pagoda, arched bridges, and a lot of other

Japan stereotypes I have yet to encounter although I have lived in

Japan for the past 31 years and have a masters degree in Far East Asian

Studies from Sophia University, Tokyo. Both "Sayonara"s offer something o value. One is realistic. One

is a beautiful fantasy. Read the book and watch the movie and take

your choice of endings.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

20 December 1957 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Sayonara

Filming Locations:

Kyoto, Japan

Box Office

Gross USA:

$26,300,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pennebaker Productions, William Goetz Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

147 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1