Tea House of the August Moon
Starring Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford, with Eddie Albert and Harry Morgan
Written by John Patrick and based on his Tony Award winning Play
1956
In the spirit of the 2008 bailout a Hollywood movie that chronicles the restoration 'bailout' of post WW2 Japan. Culturally, this movie wouldn't fly today - casting Brando as an Asian is still funny. But as a statement about the economic forces at work 'Teahouse' is very relevant, and also very funny. The roles played here would typecast all of the cast junior to the great Glenn Ford. Brando's Sakini is as profound as his Colonel Kurtz gone native from 'Apocalypse Now', Eddie Albert, the gardener, would be sent off to the TV show 'Green Acres', and the old army calvary soul Harry Morgan would be promoted to head a 'Mash' unit.
In hte movie Ford is assigned to a small village, charged with setting up a municipal democratic government, building a school, and re-starting industry. However the charming peasants, very experienced at dealing with occupying cultural forces work their magic. The '"Ladies Democratic Action League" votes that they all want to be trained as Geishas, all the villagers shortly thereafter decided they'd rather have a Teahouse with a performance space than a school, and the only business that they can find is a home brewed sweet potato Brandy.
The brewing operation is organized as a community cooperative, much to chagrin of Ford's superiors - accusing him of being a communist. Curiously, the proceeds from which are 'banked in Seattle'.
Comments (1)
What is actually telling is how personal people take all the things you write as seen in their comments.
Posted by Mauricio Uyeda | August 23, 2011 3:47 PM
Posted on August 23, 2011 15:47