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Teahouse of the August Moon | 
| Director: Daniel Mann
Actors: Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Machiko Kyo, Eddie Albert, Paul Ford
Studio: MGM (Warner)
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $4.00
You Save: $15.98 (80%)
New (2) Used (15) Collectible (4) from $4.00
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 2953
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Hifi Sound, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 124 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6301978633
UPC: 027616066534
EAN: 9786301978637
ASIN: 6301978633
Theatrical Release Date: December 1956
Release Date: September 1, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: tape in good condition
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Brilliantly Written Comedy June 3, 2002
Keisuke Hoashi (Sherman Oaks, CA United States)
50 out of 53 found this review helpful
Genetically, I am Japanese, so I was all set to hate this film for Marlon Brando's casting as an Okinawan. I was astonished to find myself loving his performance; I feel he perfectly captured the sardonically innocent attitude of Sakini, and suddenly developed a huge respect for his acting talents. Next, I started listening to the dialogue, and was amazed at its wittiness, intelligence, and perceptiveness. In fact, the title ("The Teahouse of the August Moon") never remotely suggested "comedy" to me; I was expecting another dreary wartime American Soldier / Japanese Geisha tale. Discovering this film to be among the best-written comedies in American Theatre history was the nicest shock I've had for a while. This is on a par with "MASH" in its smart skewering of the American military mind. But more important to me was the film's debunking of oriental stereotypes. A handful of Okinawans prove, in the end, to be more intelligent, resourceful, realistic, and adaptable than the entire US Government, simply by being themselves. To all so-called "Asian Americans": get over your (understandable) objections to "yellowface" and watch this film. I do agree that putting Marlon Brando in Oriental makeup would be unforgivably racist now, but I accept the reality that that was how things were routinely done in 1950s American film and theatre. Look past the makeup and you'll discover an absolutely wonderful film.
May August moon give gentle joy! January 28, 2000
John Vance Snow (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
This is the film of John Patrick's 1954 Pulitizer-prize winning adaptation of Vern Sneider's 1951 novel. It is a joy from start to finish. Brando turns in one of his most striking performances -- you can see him having a great time in the role of the "alchemist" Sakini, forever making things turn out right. The Japanese cast members acquit themselves excellently, with special mention due to Machiko Kyo as the geisha Lotus Blossom. The work is beautifully filmed and a real pleasure. Look for Eddie Albert and Harry Morgan (MASH) in supporting roles. The Teahouse of the August Moon gives gentle joy, and, fifty years on, shows very little sign of age. It is a fragile but strong structure, one of the happiest films I know.
An odd cast but that makes it a comedy September 10, 2004
B. Chandler (Arlington, Texas)
12 out of 19 found this review helpful
We won the war because we are the good guy's and know how things should work. But we are also nice guys and intend to raise the Okinawa's in the American tradition. This starts with building a pentagon shaped schoolhouse. Captain Fisby (Glenn Ford) is sent to Okinawa because he is so good at everything he does that the command is willing to let someone else have him (anyone else). With the influence of the local natives including local native Sakini (Marlon Brando) Captain Fisby is persuaded that they need to build their economy first. And the first order of business is to take the school house supplies and build the "Tea House of the August Moon."
The film is a 1954 adaptation of Vern J. Sneider's 1951 novel by John Patrick. One of the filming locations is the Yamashiro Restaurant - 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Hollywood, Los Angeles that was also used in memorable films such as "Sayonara" (1957) and "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005)
Everyone seems to have gone somewhere from here. Eddie Albert must have used this picture of him wanting to be a farmer to audition for "Green Acres." Paul Ford as Col. Wainwright Purdy III plays a similar character as the mayor in "The Music Man" (1962) and Marlon Brando goes back to Asia, this time on the darker side in "Apocalypse Now" (1979). Harry Morgan is still in military garb as military intelligence in "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?" (1966).
 DVD??? February 5, 2004
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
When will we see a DVD??? (in widescreen please) Loved the movie but watching it on fullscreen VHS does ruin things a bit. Hope Warner Brothers will see what a gem theyve got in this movie and release a DVD soon.
Timeless, Wonderful Comedy March 8, 2005
Navy Guy
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
I don't think anyone who hasn't lived in Japan or Okinawa can truly 'get' this film. Having lived there for 3 1/2 years in the mid-80's, courtesy of the U.S. Navy, this is one of my all-time favorite fims, ever. It truly captures the warmth and intelligence of the Japanese & Okinawan cultures. Marlon Brando is wonderful - and very believeable - as Sakini. We laugh just as hard every time we see this film. I can't wait for a widescreen DVD!
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