Customer Reviews

My Geisha

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I know I would give this film an even higher rating if it was ever brought to DVD with a widescreen presentation. There are so many scenes in this film where the actors heads are cut in half(vertically) and so many spectacular shots of Japanese vistas that having this film seen only on VHS(fullscreen) is actually a felony in the history of color filmmaking. That aside, the story is a comedy laced with genuine drama and fantastic character acting from both Shirley MacLaine and Bob Cummings surrounding the filming of "Madame Butterfly" at authentic Japanese locales. Fans of Yves Montand will not be disappointed for he brings a surprising range of emotions from one scene to the next, alternating between witty banter(particularly with Bob Cummings) to gripping heartache near the end of the story. The supporting cast is solid, led by veteran actor Edward G. Robinson in a role that is a far cry from his "Little Caesar" days. One of my few complaints lies in the fact that once in a while a Japanese extra will scowl at Shirley MacLaine when she is portraying her Geisha character with a little too much stereo-type. I certainly don't blame them for cringing once in a while. It would be like a young Japanese man portraying a Redneck Cowboy in front of a crowd of extras from Texas. However, Shirley MacLaine nails this role down pat after a few scenes early in the film where first-time director Jack Cardiff probably should have gone for another take. There are a couple of scenes that look too staged to be believed, while later in the film there are some excellent scenes with fantastic acting from all concerned. Once in a while there is also some voice-over dubbing that doesn't quite match the lip-movement. There are a few other scenes that suggest that Jack Cardiff was once a stage director at one time, such as: instead of having a split-screen effect and editing the actor's voices in later, the whole set is cut in two with a thin partition separating the action on either side as the actors do their scenes on the telephone. It makes for a great live effect that feels kinetic and touching . A while back, say ten years ago, I was in a Shirley MacLaine-fan mode and I rented everything I could find with her in it. I saw "The Apartment" and I thought she was the cutest actress I had ever seen, yet she had more emotional range than I had initially anticipated. I was subsequently thrown for a loop. I rented "My Geisha" in the hopes of seeing more stellar work from her, and in all seriousness I am surprised she was not nominated for the Oscar for this role. She plays two different characters, she is comedic, she cries, she sings, and she is absolutely gorgeous dressed as Geisha Yoko-Mori. As for the comedy in this story, Bob Cummings rules the roost here inducing full-throated chuckling on my part through the use of witty dialogue and his understated, under-rated physical comedy. This film has plenty in it to recommend it whole-heartedly: comedy, romance, wit, glorious photography, oftentimes inspired direction from Jack Cardiff, and four great lead performances mixed with some solid work from the supporting cast. Now if they'd only release this little gem on DVD my collection would reach one step closer to perfection. Take it easy...and don't jump into any volcanoes! Thank you.

Shirley MacLaine stars as a movie star and Yves Montand plays her director-husband. He wants to film Madame Butterfly in Japan with an all-Japanese cast. She plots (with producer Edward G. Robinson) to disguise herself as a Japanese actress and do the film without telling her husband, to prove she can do a serious role, even though Montand wants to prove he can make an important. She dresses as a geisha, gets the part, and they start shooting, but her co-star, Robert Cummings, starts to fall in love her.

MacLaine is overly-cute and almost annoying, until she redeems herself in the final scene. Yves Montand is very, very attractive, French accent and all. He is good at playing the sensitive man whose pride is crushed by his tricky wife. Robert Cummings is the comedy relief and keeps things lively as the leading man who chases all his leading ladies. Robinson is properly gruff and cranky, as one supposes rich and powerful produces might be. This is a really enjoyable family film.

I thought "My Geisha" was an extremely enjoyable film. It really captures the struggle of a foreign woman trying to learn the meaning of becoming a Japanese geisha. I must note that this movie, filmed in the 1960's, was able to show geisha in their prime, which is very pleasant to see in an age where the art of geisha has become to wither. For any geisha fan, this movie is worth watching.

I never would have noticed this movie if it hadn't been for me catching it on Cinemax. Well the movie was great and i plan on buying the video or dvd of this to watch it over and over again. Shirley McClaine's potrayal of Lucy is so fun to watch and I am slowly getting to rediscover the classic movies. This is certainly among my favourites. She looks so believingly like a Japanese Geisha girl. The movie certainly touches your heart towards the end. Do certainly buy it or rent it. Don't miss it...

I just recently saw this movie and I loved it. It's a sweet romantic comedy, and the cinematography is just beautiful.

Shirley MacLaine, was funny and beautiful in the role of a geisha, the music and story were touching and well thought out. It was a pleasure to watch.

AND OLD FAVORITE THAT I'VE WANTED FOR A LONG TIME. IT IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES, AND I HAVE ALWAYS LIKE MOVIES WITH SHIRLEY MACLAINE AND YVES MONTAND IN IT. MANY THANKS.

Not a bad little comedy; interesting flick of Shirley playing "Lucy" a big star in film with her director husband. Director husband does not like being in her limelight and so tells her she cannot be in the picture he has in mind as she would not fit in. He does not bother telling her the truth, however, that he wants to be successful without her. Without this info, she takes it as a challenge and gets her producer, expertly played by E.R. Robinson, to go along with the gag. Considering the time period this was filmed, I thought they handled the Japanese culture fairly well, though the English-accented Japanese was a bit much.

That earns it the three star treatment, I'm afraid.

Funny scenes include Shirley caught in the act where she has to talk to a Japanese Sumo wrestler and talks Japanese gibberish at him (sounds like she is talking to ten and saying hello and goodbye and thanx!).

Yoko Tani plays the actual Geisha who's trying to train "Lucy" to be one. Yoko is known for being the Asian actress in the Communist-bloc film, First Spaceship on Venus.

Bob Cummings was fairly awful and I do agree with Amazon reviews that he was badly cast for the part.

The director does use split staging rather than film scene splitting, which makes it all very interesting.

If you loved Lucy, you'll love this one....

The VHS tape was clean and ran great, too. Is this on DVD now??

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I have always been a sucker for anything with Shirley Maclaine in it, but I was pretty much in the same boat as Paul ( the fabulous Ives Montand ), her character's ( Lucy Dell's ) husband, when he doubted her ability to do the part of Madame Butterfly, particularly since he wanted a real Japanese
to play the part. Maclaine nailed it however, and did it with the dignity and attention to detail that the part deserved, with few of the cliches Occidentals portraying Asian people at the time so often brought to the table ( Brando in TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON comes to mind ). Ives Montand was wonderful as Lucy Dell's husband, Paul, as was the great Edward G. Robinson in the part of their producer. Yoko Tani as Lucy's geisha tutor was both exquisite, and quietly witty.

The story itself was a lot more clever than some of the romantic comedies of the time, The dialogue was crisp, and the direction well-paced.

Oh, and yes! Maclaine made a beautiful geisha.

A "chic flick" for certain but one any ( mature) chic would enjoy. Another oldie but goodie. Cute plot and well acted.