japan,based on novel or book,u.s. air force,air force,major,interracial relationship,interracial marriage,racial prejudice,post war japan,kabuki,kobe japan

Sayonara (1957)

Poster for Sayonara

"I am not allowed to love. But I will love you if that is your desire..."

Air Force Major Lloyd Gruver (Marlon Brando) is reassigned to a Japanese air base, and is confronted with US racial prejudice against the Japanese people. The issue is compounded because a number of the soldiers become romantically involved with Japanese women, in defiance of US military policy. Ordinarily an officer who is by-the-book, Gruver must take a position when a buddy of his, an enlisted man Joe Kelly (Red Buttons) falls in love with a Japanese woman Katsumi (Miyoshi Umeki) and marries her. Gruver risks his position by serving as best man at the wedding ceremony.

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Cast & Crew

Director
Joshua Logan
  • Profile picture of Marlon Brando
    Major Lloyd Gruver Marlon Brando
  • Profile picture of Patricia Owens
    Eileen Webster Patricia Owens
  • Profile picture of James Garner
    Capt. Mike Bailey James Garner
  • Profile picture of Martha Scott
    Mrs. Webster Martha Scott
  • Profile picture of Miiko Taka
    Hana-ogi Miiko Taka
  • Profile picture of Miyoshi Umeki
    Katsumi Miyoshi Umeki
  • Profile picture of Red Buttons
    Joe Kelly Red Buttons
  • Profile picture of Kent Smith
    Gen. Webster Kent Smith

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Keywords

  • japan
  • based on novel or book
  • u.s. air force
  • air force
  • major
  • interracial relationship
  • interracial marriage
  • racial prejudice
  • post war japan
  • kabuki
  • kobe japan