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* [[Arthur P. Schmidt]]
* [[Arthur P. Schmidt]]
* [[Philip W. Anderson (film editor)|Philip W. Anderson]]}}
* [[Philip W. Anderson (film editor)|Philip W. Anderson]]}}
| studio = Pennebaker Productions<br>[[William Goetz|William Goetz Productions]]
| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.]]
| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|1957|12|05}}
| released = {{Film date|1957|12|05|[[New York City|New York]] premiere|1957|12|25|US}}
| runtime = 147 minutes
| runtime = 147 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
Line 31: Line 32:
}}
}}


'''''Sayonara''''' is a 1957 American [[Technicolor]] [[drama]] film starring [[Marlon Brando]] in [[Technirama]]. It tells the story of an [[United States|American]] [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] fighter pilot during the [[Korean War]] who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The picture won four [[Academy Awards]], including acting honors for co-stars [[Red Buttons]] and [[Miyoshi Umeki]]. The supporting cast also features [[Patricia Owens]], [[James Garner]], [[Martha Scott]], [[Ricardo Montalbán]], and [[Miiko Taka]].
'''''Sayonara''''' is a 1957 American [[romantic drama film]] directed by [[Joshua Logan]], and starring [[Marlon Brando]], [[Patricia Owens]], [[James Garner]], [[Martha Scott]], [[Miyoshi Umeki]], [[Red Buttons]], [[Miiko Taka]] and [[Ricardo Montalbán]]. It tells the story of an [[United States|American]] [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] pilot during the [[Korean War]] who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The screenplay was adapted by [[Paul Osborn]] from [[James A. Michener]]'s [[Sayonara (novel)|1954 novel of the same name]].

The screenplay was adapted by [[Paul Osborn]] from [[Sayonara (novel)|the 1954 novel]] of the same name by [[James Michener]], and was directed by [[Joshua Logan]] and produced by [[William Goetz]]. Unlike most 1950s romantic dramas, it deals squarely with racism and prejudice.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301821.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=The Bright Appeal of Red Buttons | first=Tom | last=Shales | access-date=May 23, 2010 | date=July 14, 2006}}</ref>


Unlike many 1950s romantic dramas, ''Sayonara'' deals squarely with racism and prejudice.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071301821.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=The Bright Appeal of Red Buttons | first=Tom | last=Shales | access-date=May 23, 2010 | date=July 14, 2006}}</ref> The picture was released by [[Warner Bros.]] on December 25, 1957, to critical acclaim and commercial success. At the [[30th Academy Awards]] the film was nominated in nine categories and won three, including [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] for Buttons and [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for Umeki. The latter award made Umeki the first East Asia-born woman to win an Oscar.
==Plot==
==Plot==
Fighter ace Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver, of the [[United States Air Force]], the son of a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] general, is stationed at [[Osaka International Airport|Itami Air Force Base]] near [[Kobe]], [[Japan]]. He has been reassigned from combat duties in [[Korea]] by General Webster, the father of his fiancée, Eileen. While Ace and Eileen have been together for years, their relationship has become strained.
[[United States Air Force]] fighter pilot Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver, the son of an [[United States Army|Army]] general, is stationed at [[Osaka International Airport|Itami Air Force Base]] near [[Kobe]], [[Japan]]. He has been reassigned from combat duties in [[Korea]] by General Webster, the father of his fiancée, Eileen. While Ace and Eileen have been together for years, their relationship has become strained.


Airman Joe Kelly, who is Ace's enlisted crew chief, is about to wed a Japanese woman, Katsumi, in spite of the disapproval of the [[United States Armed Forces|United States military establishment]], which will not recognize the interracial marriage because it is generally [[Anti-miscegenation laws in the United States|illegal under American law]]. The Air Force, including Ace, is against the marriage. Ace and Joe have an argument during which Ace uses a racial slur to describe Katsumi. Ace eventually apologizes, then agrees to be Joe's best man at the wedding.
Airman Joe Kelly, who is Ace's enlisted crew chief, is about to wed a Japanese woman, Katsumi, in spite of the disapproval of the [[United States Armed Forces|military establishment]], which will not recognize the interracial marriage because it is generally [[Anti-miscegenation laws in the United States|illegal under American law]]. The Air Force, including Ace, is against the marriage. Ace and Joe have an argument during which Ace uses a racial slur to describe Katsumi. Ace eventually apologizes, then agrees to be Joe's best man at the wedding.


Ace falls in love with a Japanese entertainer, Hana-ogi, who is the lead performer for a [[Takarazuka Revue|Takarazuka]]-like theater company, whom he meets through Katsumi{{efn|It is heavily implied that Hana-ogi is a ''Musumeyaku'' (i.e., an actress who only plays female roles), mainly because she wears feminine stage outfits in the scene where Ace and Joe go to watch a performance led by her (since in [[Takarazuka Revue]] the actresses who play male roles and who dress in a more masculine way are called ''[[Otokoyaku]]'' and the actresses who play female roles and who dress in a more feminine way are called ''Musumeyaku''). In this case, Hana-ogi is the top musumeyaku star of the all-female musical troupe shown in the film (as stated by [[Marlon Brando]]'s character Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver).}}. Eileen realizes that Ace's attentions are no longer focused on her and begins a friendship with a famous [[Kabuki]] performer, Nakamura. When she overhears that Joe's house has been under surveillance by the Army, she believes that Ace is in danger and goes there to warn him.
Ace falls in love with a Japanese entertainer, Hana-ogi, who is the lead performer for a [[Takarazuka Revue|Takarazuka]]-like theater company, whom he meets through Katsumi. Eileen realizes that Ace's attentions are no longer focused on her and begins a friendship with a famous [[Kabuki]] performer, Nakamura. When she overhears that Joe's house has been under surveillance by the Army, she believes that Ace is in danger and goes there to warn him.


Joe suffers further prejudice at the hands of openly hostile Colonel Crawford, pulling extra duty and all the less attractive assignments. When Joe and many others who are married to Japanese are targeted for transfer back to the [[United States of America|United States]], Joe realizes that he will not be able to take Katsumi, who is now pregnant. Ace goes to General Webster and pleads Joe's case, asking that he be allowed to remain in Japan. When the General refuses on the grounds that he cannot allow an exception, Ace tells him that he will be in the same situation, since he intends to marry Hana-ogi. Eileen and her mother are present for the exchange, and Ace apologizes for hurting her. Eileen realizes Ace never loved her the way he loves Hana-ogi and she leaves to see Nakamura.
Joe suffers further prejudice at the hands of openly hostile Colonel Crawford, pulling extra duty and all the less attractive assignments. When Joe and many others who are married to Japanese are targeted for transfer back to the [[United States of America|United States]], Joe realizes that he will not be able to take Katsumi, who is now pregnant. Ace goes to General Webster and pleads Joe's case, asking that he be allowed to remain in Japan. When the General refuses on the grounds that he cannot allow an exception, Ace tells him that he will be in the same situation, since he intends to marry Hana-ogi. Eileen and her mother are present for the exchange, and Ace apologizes for hurting her. Eileen realizes Ace never loved her the way he loves Hana-ogi and she leaves to see Nakamura.
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==Cast==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Marlon Brando]] as Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver, USAF
* [[Marlon Brando]] as Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver, [[USAF]]
* [[Patricia Owens]] as Eileen Webster
* [[Patricia Owens]] as Eileen Webster
* [[James Garner]] as Captain Mike Bailey, USMC
* [[James Garner]] as Captain Mike Bailey, [[USMC]]
* [[Martha Scott]] as Mrs. Webster
* [[Martha Scott]] as Mrs. Webster
* [[Miiko Taka]] as Hana-ogi
* [[Miiko Taka]] as Hana-ogi
* [[Miyoshi Umeki]] as Katsumi Kelly
* [[Miyoshi Umeki]] as Katsumi Kelly
* [[Red Buttons]] as Airman Joe Kelly
* [[Red Buttons]] as Airman Joe Kelly
* [[Ricardo Montalbán]] as Nakamura
* [[Kent Smith]] as Lt. Gen. Mark Webster
* [[Kent Smith]] as Lt. Gen. Mark Webster
* Reiko Kuba as Fumiko
* Reiko Kuba as Fumiko
* [[Soo Yong]] as Teruko
* [[Soo Yong]] as Teruko
* [[Ricardo Montalbán]] as Nakamura
* [[Douglass Watson]] as Colonel Crawford
* [[Harlan Warde]] as American Consul
* [[Douglass Watson]] as Colonel Crawford (credited as "Douglas Watson")
* [[William Wellman Jr.]] as ''[[Stars and Stripes]]'' Reporter

}}
==Production==
==Production==
According to Logan, Marlon Brando was the first choice. He turned it down so they offered the part to [[Rock Hudson]] who had too many obligations at Universal. They tried Brando again who was reluctant, so they offered the female lead to [[Audrey Hepburn]]. Brando eventually agreed to do it if they changed the ending of the novel so the two lovers got married instead of the American leaving. Logan cast Ricardo Montalban after claiming he was unable to find a Japanese actor for the role.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/00josh/page/5/mode/1up?q=picnic+|first=Joshua|last=Logan|year=1978|page=90-121|title=Movie stars, real people and me|publisher=Bantam Doubleday Dell |isbn=9780440062585 }}</ref>
According to Logan, Marlon Brando was the first choice. He turned it down so they offered the part to [[Rock Hudson]] who had too many obligations at Universal. They tried Brando again who was reluctant, so they offered the female lead to [[Audrey Hepburn]]. Brando eventually agreed to do it if they changed the ending of the novel so the two lovers got married instead of the American leaving. Logan cast Ricardo Montalban after claiming he was unable to find a Japanese actor for the role.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/00josh/page/5/mode/1up?q=picnic+|first=Joshua|last=Logan|year=1978|page=90-121|title=Movie stars, real people and me|publisher=Bantam Doubleday Dell |isbn=9780440062585 }}</ref>


Brando affected a nondescript [[American English|Southern accent]] for Gruver, despite the objections of director Logan, who did not think a Southern accent was appropriate for a general's son who was educated at West Point. Logan later admitted to the author and journalist [[Truman Capote]] about Brando, "I've never worked with such an exciting, inventive actor. So pliable. He takes direction beautifully, and yet he always has something to add. He's made up this Southern accent for the part; I never would have thought of it myself, but, well, it's exactly right&nbsp;– it's perfection."<ref>{{ Citation | last=Capote | first=Truman | title=Portraits and Observations | publisher=Modern Library | place=New York | year=2008 | page=191 }}</ref> Ricardo Montalbán, born in Mexico to Spanish immigrants, plays a Japanese character.
Brando affected a nondescript [[American English|Southern accent]] for Gruver, despite the objections of director Logan, who did not think a Southern accent was appropriate for a general's son who was educated at West Point. Logan later admitted to the author and journalist [[Truman Capote]] about Brando, "I've never worked with such an exciting, inventive actor. So pliable. He takes direction beautifully, and yet he always has something to add. He's made up this Southern accent for the part; I never would have thought of it myself, but, well, it's exactly right&nbsp;– it's perfection."<ref>{{ Citation | last=Capote | first=Truman | title=Portraits and Observations | publisher=Modern Library | place=New York | year=2008 | page=191 }}</ref> Ricardo Montalbán, born in Mexico to Spanish immigrants, plays a Japanese character in “[[yellowface]]” makeup. Montalbán modeled his performance on [[Seki Sano]], a well-known Japanese acting teacher whom he had trained under.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/news/esteemed-actor-ricardo-montalban-dies}}</ref>


Garner wrote in his memoirs that he actively lobbied to play his role, one of the few times in his career he did this. It had originally been cast with [[John Smith (actor)|John Smith]], but Garner succeeded in getting the part.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Garner Files: A Memoir|first1=James|last1=Garner|first2=Jon|last2=Winokur|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2011|page=251}}</ref>
Garner wrote in his memoirs that he actively lobbied to play his role, one of the few times in his career he did this. It had originally been cast with [[John Smith (actor)|John Smith]], but Garner succeeded in getting the part.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Garner Files: A Memoir|first1=James|last1=Garner|first2=Jon|last2=Winokur|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2011|page=251}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Critical reception==
''Sayonara'' received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing and cinematography, in addition to the acting ability of its cast. It won four [[Academy Awards]], including acting honors for co-stars [[Red Buttons]] and [[Miyoshi Umeki]]. Review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 82% of critics out of 57 have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.6/10, with the website's critics consensus reading, "As sumptuously staged as it is ponderously paced, ''Sayonara'' flutters by on the strength of its touching story and solidly assembled cast.".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rotten Tomatoes|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sayonara}}</ref>
''Sayonara'' received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing and cinematography, in addition to the acting ability of its cast. It won four [[Academy Awards]], including acting honors for co-stars [[Red Buttons]] and [[Miyoshi Umeki]]. Review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 82% of critics out of 57 have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.6/10, with the website's critics consensus reading, "As sumptuously staged as it is ponderously paced, ''Sayonara'' flutters by on the strength of its touching story and solidly assembled cast.".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rotten Tomatoes|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sayonara}}</ref>


It was [[List of 1958 box office number-one films in the United States|number one at the US box office]] for five consecutive weeks in 1958.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=National Boxoffice Survey|date=January 29, 1958|page=3|url=https://archive.org/stream/variety209-1958-01/page/n509/mode/2up|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=Archive.org}}</ref> It earned $10.5 million in [[theatrical rental]]s in the United States and Canada<ref>"All Time Domestic Champs", ''Variety'', 6 January 1960 p 34</ref> and $5 million overseas.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Antidote for pessimists|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 15, 1958|page=3|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/variety212-1958-10#page/n158/mode/1up|access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref>
It was [[List of 1958 box office number-one films in the United States|number one at the US box office]] for five consecutive weeks in 1958.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=National Boxoffice Survey|date=January 29, 1958|page=3|url=https://archive.org/stream/variety209-1958-01/page/n509/mode/2up|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=Archive.org}}</ref> It earned $10.5 million in [[theatrical rental]]s in the United States and Canada<ref>"All Time Domestic Champs", ''Variety'', 6 January 1960 p 34</ref> and $5 million overseas.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Antidote for pessimists|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 15, 1958|page=3|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/variety212-1958-10#page/n158/mode/1up|access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref>


⚫
=== Awards and nominations ===
⚫
== Legacy ==
⚫
Alongside the less successful ''[[Japanese War Bride]]'' (1952) and ''[[The Teahouse of the August Moon (film)|The Teahouse of the August Moon]]'' (1956), ''Sayonara'' is considered by some scholars to have increased racial tolerance in the United States by openly discussing [[interracial marriages|interracial marriage]].<ref name="Kovner2012">{{cite book|author=Sarah Kovner|title=Occupying Power: Sex Workers and Servicemen in Postwar Japan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dj7NgDJnno4C&pg=PA65|year=2012|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-8346-0|pages=65–66}}</ref> Other scholars have argued that it is one in a long list of films stereotyping [[Asian Americans|Asian American]] women as "lotus blossom, geisha girl, china doll, or [[The World of Suzie Wong|Suzie Wong]]".<ref name="Chen2010">{{cite book|author=Edith Wen-Chu Chen|title=Encyclopedia of Asian American Issues Today|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R_t3yQiWKQEC&pg=PA644|year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34751-1|pages=644–645}}</ref>

⚫
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
|-
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! Result
! Result
|-
|-
| rowspan="10"| [[30th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]<ref name="Oscars1958">{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1958 |title=The 30th Academy Awards (1958) Nominees and Winners |access-date=2011-08-21|work=oscars.org}}</ref><ref name="NY Times">{{cite news |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/43047/Sayonara/awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906060727/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/43047/Sayonara/awards |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-09-06 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2010 |title=NY Times: Sayonara |access-date=2008-12-22}}</ref>
| rowspan="10" | [[30th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]<ref name="Oscars1958">{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1958 |title=The 30th Academy Awards (1958) Nominees and Winners |access-date=2011-08-21|work=oscars.org}}</ref><ref name="NY Times">{{cite news |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/43047/Sayonara/awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906060727/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/43047/Sayonara/awards |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-09-06 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2010 |title=NY Times: Sayonara |access-date=2008-12-22}}</ref>
| [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Motion Picture]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Motion Picture]]
| [[William Goetz]]
| [[William Goetz]]
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|-
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Art Direction]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Art Direction]]
| Art Direction: [[Ted Haworth]]; <br> Set Decoration: [[Robert Priestley]]
| [[Ted Haworth]], [[Robert Priestley]]
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]]
| [[Arthur P. Schmidt]] and [[Philip W. Anderson (film editor)|Philip W. Anderson]]
| [[Arthur P. Schmidt]], [[Philip W. Anderson (film editor)|Philip W. Anderson]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
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| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[15th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| rowspan="6" | [[15th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]]
| colspan="2" | [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
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| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Laurel Awards]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Laurel Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Top Drama
| colspan="2" | Top Drama
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| Top Male Supporting Performance
| rowspan="2" | Top Male Supporting Performance
| Red Buttons
| Red Buttons
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
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| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[1957 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|New York Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | [[1957 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|New York Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| colspan="2" | [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
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== Analysis ==
== Analysis ==
In an article for the ''Los Angeles Times'' in 2003, Scarlet Cheng stated that the film "while calling for tolerance, also views the Japanese woman (so quiet, so subservient) as clearly superior to her American counterpart (so demanding, so loud). The Brando character, Maj. Lloyd, on R & R in Japan, doesn’t start out with this appreciation. As the movie opens, he’s trying to persuade another soldier to give up his Japanese girlfriend -- by showing him a picture of his own fiancee...Soon afterward, though, the good major breaks off his long-standing engagement -- to take up with a Japanese stage actress...Of course, the object of his affection is no mere chorine, but in fact, the star of the show, adored by thousands of fans -- a fitting partner for an America hero."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Scarlet |date=2003-09-07 |title=Through Western eyes |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-07-ca-cheng7-story.html |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
In an article for the ''Los Angeles Times'' in 2003, Scarlet Cheng stated that the film "while calling for tolerance, also views the Japanese woman (so quiet, so subservient) as clearly superior to her American counterpart (so demanding, so loud). The Brando character, Maj. Lloyd, on R & R in Japan, doesn’t start out with this appreciation. As the movie opens, he’s trying to persuade another soldier to give up his Japanese girlfriend -- by showing him a picture of his own fiancee...Soon afterward, though, the good major breaks off his long-standing engagement -- to take up with a Japanese stage actress...Of course, the object of his affection is no mere chorine, but in fact, the star of the show, adored by thousands of fans -- a fitting partner for an America hero."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Scarlet |date=2003-09-07 |title=Through Western eyes |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-07-ca-cheng7-story.html |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

⚫
== Legacy ==
⚫
Alongside the less successful ''[[Japanese War Bride]]'' (1952) and ''[[The Teahouse of the August Moon (film)|The Teahouse of the August Moon]]'' (1956), ''Sayonara'' is considered by some scholars to have increased racial tolerance in the United States by openly discussing [[interracial marriages|interracial marriage]].<ref name="Kovner2012">{{cite book|author=Sarah Kovner|title=Occupying Power: Sex Workers and Servicemen in Postwar Japan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dj7NgDJnno4C&pg=PA65|year=2012|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-8346-0|pages=65–66}}</ref> Other scholars have argued that it is one in a long list of films stereotyping [[Asian Americans|Asian American]] women as "lotus blossom, geisha girl, china doll, or [[The World of Suzie Wong|Suzie Wong]]".<ref name="Chen2010">{{cite book|author=Edith Wen-Chu Chen|title=Encyclopedia of Asian American Issues Today|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R_t3yQiWKQEC&pg=PA644|year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34751-1|pages=644–645}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 258: Line 261:
[[Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture]]
[[Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture]]
[[Category:1950s American films]]
[[Category:1950s American films]]
[[Category:Films about Kabuki]]
[[Category:Takarazuka Revue]]
[[Category:Takarazuka Revue]]

Revision as of 20:48, 24 January 2024

This article is about the film. For other uses, see Sayonara (disambiguation).
Sayonara
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoshua Logan
Screenplay byPaul Osborn
Based onSayonara
by James Michener
Produced byWilliam Goetz
Starring
CinematographyEllsworth Fredricks
Edited by
Music byFranz Waxman
Production
companies
Pennebaker Productions
William Goetz Productions
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • December 5, 1957 (1957-12-05) (New York premiere)
  • December 25, 1957 (1957-12-25) (US)
Running time
147 minutes
LandVereinigte Staaten
LanguagesEnglish
Japanese
Box office$26.3 million

Sayonara is a 1957 American romantic drama film directed by Joshua Logan, and starring Marlon Brando, Patricia Owens, James Garner, Martha Scott, Miyoshi Umeki, Red Buttons, Miiko Taka and Ricardo Montalbán. It tells the story of an American Air Force pilot during the Korean War who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The screenplay was adapted by Paul Osborn from James A. Michener's 1954 novel of the same name.

Unlike many 1950s romantic dramas, Sayonara deals squarely with racism and prejudice.[1] The picture was released by Warner Bros. on December 25, 1957, to critical acclaim and commercial success. At the 30th Academy Awards the film was nominated in nine categories and won three, including Best Supporting Actor for Buttons and Best Supporting Actress for Umeki. The latter award made Umeki the first East Asia-born woman to win an Oscar.

Plot

United States Air Force fighter pilot Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver, the son of an Army general, is stationed at Itami Air Force Base near Kobe, Japan. He has been reassigned from combat duties in Korea by General Webster, the father of his fiancée, Eileen. While Ace and Eileen have been together for years, their relationship has become strained.

Airman Joe Kelly, who is Ace's enlisted crew chief, is about to wed a Japanese woman, Katsumi, in spite of the disapproval of the military establishment, which will not recognize the interracial marriage because it is generally illegal under American law. The Air Force, including Ace, is against the marriage. Ace and Joe have an argument during which Ace uses a racial slur to describe Katsumi. Ace eventually apologizes, then agrees to be Joe's best man at the wedding.

Ace falls in love with a Japanese entertainer, Hana-ogi, who is the lead performer for a Takarazuka-like theater company, whom he meets through Katsumi. Eileen realizes that Ace's attentions are no longer focused on her and begins a friendship with a famous Kabuki performer, Nakamura. When she overhears that Joe's house has been under surveillance by the Army, she believes that Ace is in danger and goes there to warn him.

Joe suffers further prejudice at the hands of openly hostile Colonel Crawford, pulling extra duty and all the less attractive assignments. When Joe and many others who are married to Japanese are targeted for transfer back to the United States, Joe realizes that he will not be able to take Katsumi, who is now pregnant. Ace goes to General Webster and pleads Joe's case, asking that he be allowed to remain in Japan. When the General refuses on the grounds that he cannot allow an exception, Ace tells him that he will be in the same situation, since he intends to marry Hana-ogi. Eileen and her mother are present for the exchange, and Ace apologizes for hurting her. Eileen realizes Ace never loved her the way he loves Hana-ogi and she leaves to see Nakamura.

Joe and Katsumi's home is boarded up by the military police and Ace is taken into custody by General Webster, where he is confined to quarters. He is told that he will most likely be sent back to the United States and Hana-ogi will be sent to Tokyo. Joe goes AWOL, and two Military Police seek Ace's help to find Joe through his local connections so he can be sent back to the U.S. and not be reported missing. Ace, accompanied by Captain Bailey, finds Joe and Katsumi secretly returned to their home and committed double suicide rather than be parted. Shortly thereafter, Hana-ogi arrives unnoticed and alone outside Joe and Katsumi's home. There she opens a rear window and, still unseen, secretly whispers a tearful "sayonara" to Joe, Katsumi, and Ace, although nobody hears or sees her. Hana-ogi then leaves through the rear gate.

Moments after exiting Joe's home Ace and Bailey are attacked by a group of Japanese holding anti-American signs, but sympathetic Japanese neighbors intervene to help the Americans, resulting in widespread fighting in the street. Ace and Bailey escape during the scuffles.

The loss of his friend Joe strengthens Ace's resolve to marry Hana-ogi, and Ace goes to the theater company to find her. There he learns Hana-ogi has already left Kobe for Tokyo a week ahead of schedule. General Webster, believing the crisis with Ace is averted, apologizes for what happened to Joe and Katsumi and tells Ace that laws will soon be passed to allow interracial marriages in the United States.

Ace leaves Kobe and flies to Tokyo. He tracks down Hana-ogi at her new venue in a Tokyo theater, where he pleads with her one last time to become his wife. They leave the theater and Hana-ogi announces to the waiting Japanese and American reporters that they intend to wed. When a Stars and Stripes military newspaper reporter asks Ace how he will explain his marriage to the "big brass" as well as to the Japanese, neither of which will be particularly happy, Ace says, "Tell 'em we said, 'Sayonara.'"

Cast

Production

According to Logan, Marlon Brando was the first choice. He turned it down so they offered the part to Rock Hudson who had too many obligations at Universal. They tried Brando again who was reluctant, so they offered the female lead to Audrey Hepburn. Brando eventually agreed to do it if they changed the ending of the novel so the two lovers got married instead of the American leaving. Logan cast Ricardo Montalban after claiming he was unable to find a Japanese actor for the role.[2]

Brando affected a nondescript Southern accent for Gruver, despite the objections of director Logan, who did not think a Southern accent was appropriate for a general's son who was educated at West Point. Logan later admitted to the author and journalist Truman Capote about Brando, "I've never worked with such an exciting, inventive actor. So pliable. He takes direction beautifully, and yet he always has something to add. He's made up this Southern accent for the part; I never would have thought of it myself, but, well, it's exactly right – it's perfection."[3] Ricardo Montalbán, born in Mexico to Spanish immigrants, plays a Japanese character in “yellowface” makeup. Montalbán modeled his performance on Seki Sano, a well-known Japanese acting teacher whom he had trained under.[4]

Garner wrote in his memoirs that he actively lobbied to play his role, one of the few times in his career he did this. It had originally been cast with John Smith, but Garner succeeded in getting the part.[5]

Reception

Sayonara received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing and cinematography, in addition to the acting ability of its cast. It won four Academy Awards, including acting honors for co-stars Red Buttons and Miyoshi Umeki. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 82% of critics out of 57 have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.6/10, with the website's critics consensus reading, "As sumptuously staged as it is ponderously paced, Sayonara flutters by on the strength of its touching story and solidly assembled cast.".[6]

It was number one at the US box office for five consecutive weeks in 1958.[7] It earned $10.5 million in theatrical rentals in the United States and Canada[8] and $5 million overseas.[9]

Awards and nominations

Award Kategorie Nominee(s) Result
Academy Awards[10][11] Best Motion Picture William Goetz Nominated
Best Director Joshua Logan Nominated
Best Actor Marlon Brando Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Red Buttons Won
Best Supporting Actress Miyoshi Umeki Won
Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium Paul Osborn Nominated
Best Art Direction Ted Haworth, Robert Priestley Won
Best Cinematography Ellsworth Fredricks Nominated
Best Film Editing Arthur P. Schmidt, Philip W. Anderson Nominated
Best Sound Recording George Groves Won
British Academy Film Awards Most Promising Newcomer to Film Red Buttons Nominated
David di Donatello Awards Best Foreign Actor Marlon Brando Won[a]
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Joshua Logan Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Marlon Brando Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Red Buttons Won
Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Miyoshi Umeki Nominated
Best Director – Motion Picture Joshua Logan Nominated
Most Promising Newcomer – Male James Garner Won
Laurel Awards Top Drama Nominated
Top Male Supporting Performance Red Buttons Won
Ricardo Montalbán Nominated
Top Music Composer Franz Waxman Nominated
New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Film Nominated
Best Actor Marlon Brando Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Best Written American Drama Paul Osborn Nominated

The film is also recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

Analysis

In an article for the Los Angeles Times in 2003, Scarlet Cheng stated that the film "while calling for tolerance, also views the Japanese woman (so quiet, so subservient) as clearly superior to her American counterpart (so demanding, so loud). The Brando character, Maj. Lloyd, on R & R in Japan, doesn’t start out with this appreciation. As the movie opens, he’s trying to persuade another soldier to give up his Japanese girlfriend -- by showing him a picture of his own fiancee...Soon afterward, though, the good major breaks off his long-standing engagement -- to take up with a Japanese stage actress...Of course, the object of his affection is no mere chorine, but in fact, the star of the show, adored by thousands of fans -- a fitting partner for an America hero."[14]

Legacy

Alongside the less successful Japanese War Bride (1952) and The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956), Sayonara is considered by some scholars to have increased racial tolerance in the United States by openly discussing interracial marriage.[15] Other scholars have argued that it is one in a long list of films stereotyping Asian American women as "lotus blossom, geisha girl, china doll, or Suzie Wong".[16]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Tied with Charles Laughton for Witness for the Prosecution.

References

  1. ^ Shales, Tom (July 14, 2006). "The Bright Appeal of Red Buttons". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  2. ^ Logan, Joshua (1978). Movie stars, real people and me. Bantam Doubleday Dell. p. 90-121. ISBN 9780440062585.
  3. ^ Capote, Truman (2008), Portraits and Observations, New York: Modern Library, p. 191
  4. ^ https://www.emmys.com/news/esteemed-actor-ricardo-montalban-dies. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ Garner, James; Winokur, Jon (2011). The Garner Files: A Memoir. Simon & Schuster. p. 251.
  6. ^ "Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.
  7. ^ "National Boxoffice Survey". Variety. January 29, 1958. p. 3. Retrieved October 21, 2021 – via Archive.org.
  8. ^ "All Time Domestic Champs", Variety, 6 January 1960 p 34
  9. ^ "Antidote for pessimists". Variety. October 15, 1958. p. 3. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  10. ^ "The 30th Academy Awards (1958) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  11. ^ "NY Times: Sayonara". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-09-06. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  12. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions Nominees" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-03-13. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  13. ^ "AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-03-13. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  14. ^ Cheng, Scarlet (2003-09-07). "Through Western eyes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  15. ^ Sarah Kovner (2012). Occupying Power: Sex Workers and Servicemen in Postwar Japan. Stanford University Press. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978-0-8047-8346-0.
  16. ^ Edith Wen-Chu Chen (2010). Encyclopedia of Asian American Issues Today. ABC-CLIO. pp. 644–645. ISBN 978-0-313-34751-1.

Bibliography

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