SAYONARA

:''Sayōnara is Japanese for 'goodbye'.
'''Sayonara''' is a 1957 film which tells the story of an American Air Force flier who was a fighter "Ace" during the Korean War. It was adapted by Paul Osborn from the novel by James Michener. Produced by William Goetz, it was directed by Joshua Logan. Unlike most '50s romantic dramas, ''Sayonara'' deals squarely with racism and prejudice. [1]
"Ace" Gruver, stationed at Itami Air Force Base (now Osaka International Airport) near Kobe, Japan, falls in love with a Japanese entertainer who is a performer for a Takarazuka-like theater company, who he meets through his enlisted crew chief, Airman Kelly. Kelly married a Japanese woman, Katsumi, in spite of the disapproval of the United States military, which will not recognize the marriage.
When Kelly is ordered back to the United States without being allowed to take his pregnant Japanese wife, Kelly and Katsumi commit suicide, which strengthens Major Gruver's resolve to marry his Japanese lover. When asked by a Stars and Stripes reporter what will he say to both the "big brass" as well as the Japanese, neither of which will be particularly happy, Major Gruver says "Tell them I said 'Sayonara.'" This ending differs from that of the book, in which Gruver says "sayonara" to his Japanese girlfriend and returns to the States.

Contents

Cast

Awards

External Links

Cast

★ Marlon Brando - Maj. Lloyd 'Ace' Gruver, USAF

★ Patricia Owens - Eileen Webster

★ James Garner - Capt. Mike Bailey, USMC

★ Martha Scott - Mrs. Webster

★ Miiko Taka - Hana-ogi

★ Miyoshi Umeki - Katsumi Kelly

★ Red Buttons - Airman Joe Kelly

★ Kent Smith - Lt. Gen. Mark Webster

★ Reiko Kuba - Fumiko

★ Soo Yong - Teruko

★ Ricardo Montalban - Nakamura

Awards

''Sayonara'' won an Academy Award for

★ Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Red Buttons)

★ Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Miyoshi Umeki)

★ Best Art Direction-Set Decoration

★ Best Sound
It was also nominated for

★ Best Actor in a Leading Role (Marlon Brando)

★ Best Cinematography

★ Best Director

★ Best Film Editing

★ Best Picture

★ Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium

External Links

★ Trailer of Sayonara introduced by Miika Taka

★ The Duke and His Domain by Truman Capote