Teahouse of the August Moon, The (1956)

this is a very funny movie and will be enjoying it for years to come.

I first saw this film when I was 9 or 10, at a time when I was already a bit of a Japanophile, and vaguely aware of geisha because of a beautiful music box I got one Christmas that had a tiny dancing geisha inside, and so when Lotus Blossum (the wonderful Machiko Kyo, who has played opposite such greats as Toshiro Mifune) wore her lovely lavendar kimono with the purple parasol, and later danced in the Tobiki Teahouse, it was one of the most magical things I had ever seen, and began my lifelong fascination with geisha.This charming, often under-rated movie is set in post-war Okinawa, which looks in this film as if it was still lost in time (I half expect to see the blind swordsman, Zatoichi, comning down the road). The main lesson being taught, I suppose, is that people like Col.Purdy see the world in a very narrow perspective and wanted to squeeze his little bit of conquered Japan into his own image. He is a bureaucrat who doesn't understand the Army, doesn't understand Japan, and doesn't seem to understand anything that rocks his little boat. And even though the hard work of Captain Fisby and the people of Tobiki in restoring their village is succeeding beyond anyone's wildest dreams, Purdy nearly destroys it to make it conform to his obtuse reality.The kudos of this film go to Glenn Ford, Eddie Albert, and Machiko Kyo for unforgetable characters, and Brando is likable as a Japanese gofer, even if he still looks and sounds like Brando beneath the makeup. It is not one of his best roles, but it is still fun to watch.Minor quibbles:Why does Lotus Blossom wear her geta and zori indoors, and why does Brando slip several times and call her a "Gee-sha girl" unless he is catering to the name occupational troops ignorantly gave to hookers pretending to be geisha? That doesn't make sense since he does his best to explain to Fisby what a geisha actually is. I would also like to know more about Lotus Blossom, where she came from, why she was in Okinawa at all.

ESSENTIAL MOVIE!!! This movie stars Marlon Brando & Glenn Ford. It's a tour-de-force for Brando in a rare comedic performance. I've never been a fan of Brando but he is excellent in this movie. If you have ever doubted his acting ability then you need to see this in which he portrays an Okinawan(!) &, yes, his makeup includes the slanting of the eyes. Glenn Ford is also excellent in a comedic role which he proved to be very adept at & would do many more times following this movie.The movie takes place in Okinawa immediately following the end of WWII. The American occupation force is there to assist the Okinawans in their rebuilding effort; & this is where the conflict of cultures comes in, the Okinawans have their own ideas in contrast with what the Americans have in mind. Brando shines as the scheming Sakini, a hustler without peer. Glenn Ford is the harried local commanding officer who's a misfit not in line with his superior officers. The movie also has two excellent co-stars: Paul Ford & Eddie Albert. Paul Ford reprises his role from the Broadway play of the same name.The DVD does have bonus features that includes the featurette "Operation Teahouse" & a Marlon Brando Trailer gallery. The Buyer should know this DVD version comes from a Marlon Brando set that has been broken up for individual sale. I'm ambivalent about that but the sellers are now charging way too much for this. I was lucky, I didn't pay anywhere near the exorbitant prices that are now reflected by the sellers. This is one of the best comedies ever done & most should at least want to see it or own it. But, honestly, not at the prices they are now charging.

Love this movie and Amazon did a great job with sending it ASAP.

This was a movie on DVD. It had all the promotional material I'd like to know: actors and director, wide or full screen, black and white or color, sound capabilities, etc. A color picture of the actors on the cover was important. If I hadn't seen it, I'd want to know something about the plot. It actually was a popular play just after World War II and then was filmed in the 1950s. It's about a well-meaning US Army Lieutenant in Okinawa, who is somewhat of a misfit in the service. He is given the job of carrying out the Pentagon plan for reconstruction for a small village there after the war. He is given a rogue of a native interpreter to help, but the people and interpreter have their own ideas about what's good for them. Along the way he is given a Geisha girl, which adds to the confusion. There are many subtle witicisms and body language communicates even more, which helps as there are two languages. He comes to understand their point of view and adapts to what they want of him. They value his kindness, fairness and abilities. It is a humorous look at cultural views and interaction, sometimes with misunderstanding, but how with good will people can work together for a positive outcome.

"The Teahouse of the August Moon" is a hilarious story about the U.S. occupation of Japanese Okinawa after WWII. Marlon Brandow is a Japanese native who "assists" the Americans as they try to rehabilitate the Japanese on the island. Glenn Ford is a miss-fit Captain who the Colonel (Paul Ford) has take command of a certain village. Marlon is told to go along and help him. Of course Glenn doesn't speak Japanese, so Marlon has to interpret for him. The interpretations are usually meant to get Glenn to do what the villagers want, and often go against what the Colonel has in mind. Eddie Albert is sent in to save the project, but is captivated by the easy-going Glenn. The Colonel commands Glenn to build a five-sided schoolhouse, But the wily Japanese actually build a teahouse. The souvuniers that the villagers make don't sell, so Glenn has them set up a distillery making whiskey from potatoes, which sells like hotcakes and promises to make the village prosperous.

Post WWII American Japanese "friendship" movies used to be quite popular in the 1950s. Sayonara was a much better film. Here you'll find Brando in one of his worst performances.

Excellent

This is a great movie. Marlon Brando and Glen Ford classic!

This movie arrived in excellent condition and in the time frame promised. I am very pleased .

Good quality. Quick delivery.