Main Cast: Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Vic Damone, Patricia Owens, Richard Eyer, Sessue Hayakawa
Release Year: 1960
Country: US
Run Time: 132 minutes
Plot
This standard wartime drama is divided into three chronological segments and is based on the experiences of the real Guy Gabaldon (played as an adult by Jeffrey Hunter, and as a boy by Richard Eyer). In the first segment, Guy is a homeless waif without many prospects when he is adopted by a Japanese-American family. He grows up just in time to be drafted into battle in World War II -- the bombing of Pearl Harbor has a particularly devastating effect on his family and their friends. After a wild last fling with two buddies (David Janssen and Vic Damone) and some women, Guy heads off to war where he distinguishes himself because of his fluency in Japanese. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
John Larch - Capt. Schwabe; Bill Williams - Leonard; Michi Kobi - Sono; George Shibata - Kaz Une; Reiko Sato - Famika; Richard Gardner - Polaski; Bob Okazaki - Papa Une; Nicky Blair - Martini; Tsuru Aoki - Mother Une; Miiko Taka - Ester; George Takei - George
Credit
Dave Milton - Art Director, Lester A. Sansom - Associate Producer, Roland DuPree - Choreography, Clark Paylow - First Assistant Director, Phil Karlson - Director, Roy Livingston - Editor, George White - Editor, Leith Stevens - Composer (Music Score), Bob Mark - Makeup, Burnett Guffey - Cinematographer, Edward Morey, Jr. - Production Manager, Irving H. Levin - Producer, Joseph Kish - Set Designer, Augie Lohman - Special Effects, Charles Schelling - Sound/Sound Designer, Ralph Butler - Sound/Sound Designer, Gil Doud - Screen Story, Ted Sherdeman - Screenwriter, Walter Roeber Schmidt - Screenwriter
Orphaned street tough Guy Gabaldon is adopted by a Japanese American family.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the US entry into World War II, Gabaldon's Japanese foster family is sent to an Internment Camp at Camp Manzanar. Initially rejected from the US Navy, Gabaldon appeals to be enlisted in the Marines.
Gabaldon's ability to speak Japanese helps him become a lone-operating Marine hero. During the bloody campaign for the island of Saipan, he convinces approximately 1000 Japanese soldiers to surrender after their general commits suicide.
Trivia and Facts
This was an early appearance of George Takei, made famous later as Sulu on Star Trek. Takei was himself sent to an internment camp during the war.
After the war, Gabaldon lived on Saipan for several years.
Guy Gabaldon, a Mexican American, was portrayed as a "white Angeleno" in the production.
The film was made on Okinawa with members of the 3rd Marine Division and Japanese extras trained by a Japanese World War II veteran. The savage bayonet fighting depicted in the film was done with much enthusiasm.
Gabaldon named a son after Jeffrey Hunter.
DVD release
The DVD of the film was released on June 5, 2007 in the United States.
