Episode 154: Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)

Max, Mike; Movies

Well it’s been a long, awkward trip but we’ve arrived at the end of our journey through “Whitewashing,” watching Hollywood repeatedly embarrass itself, and us by casting white actors as non-white characters. And we close with a doozy, the winner of the coveted Golden Turkey Award for “Most Racially Insensitive Portrayal By A White Person Of a Non-White Person, I Mean, Just Wow, What Were You Thinking?” I’m pretty sure that’s the award, and it went to the legendary Marlon Brando playing an Okinawan man in this Wacky Post-World-War-Two Comedy. Yes. A white guy playing an Okinawan guy in post-war Japan. This has winner written all over it. But really, how bad could it be? The play this movie was based on not only won a Tony but it also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama! No, I’m not making that up! And it’s starring one of this country’s greatest actors! A myth! A legend! Of course I’m talking about Eddie Albert. Oh, yeah, and Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford and stuff. How bad could it be? How bad? How bad . . . how . . . bad. Give a listen and find out.

Poll question: what movie have you seen that you thought poignant, beautiful, sad or intense that you never need or want to see again?

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