Escapade in Japan is a 1957 American family adventure film.[1][2] It was directed by Arthur Lubin and starred Teresa Wright, Cameron Mitchell, Jon Provost (who, that same year, began his 7-year tenure as Timmy Martin on the TV show Lassie) and Roger Nakagawa.[3]
| Escapade in Japan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Arthur Lubin |
| Written by | Winston Miller |
| Story by | Winston Miller |
| Produced by | Arthur Lubin |
| Starring | Teresa Wright Cameron Mitchell Jon Provost |
| Cinematography | William Snyder |
| Edited by | Otto Ludwig |
| Music by | Max Steiner |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
It also featured an early (and uncredited) appearance of Clint Eastwood as a pilot.[4]
Plot
editAfter his plane goes down, an American boy is rescued from the sea by a Japanese fisherman and his family. When police arrive in the village, the fisherman's son fears that they have done something wrong. He and the American boy go on the run. They meet interesting people and have many adventures, travelling across the country and eluding the police, who are searching for the American boy.
Cast
edit- Teresa Wright as Mary Saunders
- Cameron Mitchell as Richard Saunders
- Jon Provost as Tony Saunders
- Roger Nakagawa as Asahiko Tanaka
- Philip Ober as Col. Hargrave
- Kuniko Miyake as Michiko Tanaka
- Susumu Fujita as Kei Tanaka
- Katsuhiko Haida as Capt. Hibino
- Tatsuo Saito as Mr. Fushimi
- Hideko Koshikawa as Dekko
- Ureo Egawa as Chief of Kyoto police
- Frank Tokunaga as Farmer
- Clint Eastwood as pilot
- Mila del Sol[5]
Production
editThe film was announced in May 1956 by RKO, who were expanding their operations.[6] In June, RKO president William Dozier assigned the project to Arthur Lubin to produce and direct. Lubin had just signed a contract with the studio following The First Travelling Saleslady. He left for Tokyo and filming began 1 October.[7]
Roger Nagawara was discovered in the American School in Japan.[8] Jonn Provost was cast as the American boy.
RKO executive Arthur Siteman died of a heart attack while making the film in Japan.[9]
Reception
editThe Los Angeles Times described it as "a delightful tour through Japan."[10] The New York Times said it was "simple but delightful."[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Variety film review; September 11, 1957.
- ^ Harrison's Reports film review; September 14, 1957, page 147.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.
- ^ ESCAPADE IN JAPAN Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 25, Iss. 288, (Jan 1, 1958): 21.
- ^ "Mila del Sol in TV series". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 20, 1959.
While in the United States, Mila did several acting tints [sic] for television and the movies. She appeared in RKO's 'Escapade in Japan,' a full-length movie...
- ^ Looking at Hollywood: Jockey Pearson Is Melville Pal in Whaling Movie Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune7 May 1956: d8.
- ^ Drama: Third Cagney Subject Developed by Writer; Stevens Slates 'Feud' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 22 June 1956: 23.
- ^ Angeli, Newman May Be Reteamed; Japanese Boy Gets Stellar Role Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 13 Aug 1956: B9
- ^ Obituary 2 -- No Title New York Times (4 Oct 1956: 33.
- ^ 'Escapade in Japan' Interests Pictorially G M W. Los Angeles Times 12 Dec 1957: B18.
- ^ Boys Run Away With 'Escapade in Japan' New York Times 24 Dec 1957: 11.
External links
edit- Escapade in Japan at IMDb
- Escapade in Japan at TCMDB
- Escapade in Japan at AllMovie
- Escapade in Japan at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Escapade in Japan at BFI
- Escapade in Japan at Letterbox DVD