Shirley MacLaine is such fun to watch. She dives into her character body and soul. She leads you on and you follow her. It would be foolish not to. We don't question anything because we're in love with her. This movie is a real rarity.I suspect that Steve Parker, Shirley's husband then and producer of "My Geisha" actually directed this. He chose Jack Cardiff as the director, the great Cardiff one of the top cinematographers of all time -- See "Black Narcisus" for instance -- But, as we all know, a cinematographer is used to work with directors, cinematographers must be artists with a very different kind of ego. What a spectacular way for Steve Parker to direct his movie by proxy. Better plan, impossible. The film is a comedy slash morality tale with a stunning Cardiff like look and a delicious performance by MacLaine. Yves Montand plays her husband. His English is tentative at best but he is unquestionably charming in a clumsy written part. Edward G Robinson is another plus. His character's delight is utterly contagious. Many of my contemporaries are to jaded to enjoy this film, but I've tried it on kids and it works, let me tell you, they love it. Not to mention my parents. So there you are, I guarantee you'll love "My Geisha" if you're young, if you're old or if you're me.
22 Reviews
top of my "guilty pleasures" list
jhborg29 December 2005
This film is at the top of my "guilty pleasures" list of films; not a great film but one for which I have great affection. I first saw it in the mid 60's when I was a teenager at a Saturday afternoon matinée. Then, I had no idea what the title meant. The word geisha was totally new to me. At that age I would go to a Saturday matinée and watch whatever was offered, and as I watched this film I found myself falling in love with Shirley MacLaine, the music of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" and Japan. I credit it with starting my abiding interest in and fascination with the culture of Japan and for my making several visits to that country as an adult. I watch it once a year between Christmas and New Year on my now worn VHS tape version. I have been looking forward, in vain, to it's release on DVD which for some reason has yet to happen and to seeing it once again in all its wide screen charm. p.s. Finally, Paramount has condescended to release this film in DVD format and it looks and sounds great.
"Dramedy" Before Its Time: See it for Shirley
sharlyfarley3 July 2009
"My Geisha" never quite manages its transitions smoothly, but they were trying something quite difficult for the period: a comedy with some genuine depth of feeling. They get there in the end, thanks to MacLaine and Montand, but there are a couple of stops along the way. You've read the setup by now, and know that Bob Cummings is playing her leading man, while her husband (Montand) is the Director of his first serious film without his wife's fame to help him succeed. He Has to Do It On His Own. It takes both his wife and his producer much too long to take this seriously, and thereby endanger both marriage and friendship. Because they think he'll come around, or appreciate the joke of her disguise, we do too...until he finally recognizes her. At that point, Montand stops being a supporting player and moves into full partnership. We believe him, and ache for him. We don't believe that "Bob Moore" is his best friend. Cummings' "arrested adolescent" is unfunny and unappealing, and he's given way too much screen time. Edward G Robinson is a pleasure throughout, but a lot of the gags - mixed bathing, sumo wrestling - are fairly condescending and forced in spite of the obvious admiration for Japan and its culture. The scenery is stunning, but there's sadness too in seeing it now. Nobody shoots beautiful films about Japan IN Japan any more; "Last Samurai" was largely shot in New Zealand, "Memoirs of a Geisha" in California. And the undercurrents - the Parker/MacLaine marriage and its eventual dissolution - sometimes haunt the script. Franz Waxman's peppy score keeps preventing us from really believing we're watching a shoot about "Madame Butterfly". When the Puccini music finally arrives, it's marvelous. And when Shirley lip-synchs the aria, she breathes like a singer. Shirley MacLaine went on to prove over and over again that she was more than a kooky comedienne...but at the time this film was made, it was a case of Art imitating Life. It's uneven, but parts of it are definitely worth seeing.
the guilty pleasure of enjoying this film...
ButaNiShinju10 August 2011
Not a great film by any means---the dialogue tends to the wooden, and the plot to the improbable---but, somehow, it is fun to watch. As the movie goes on, Montand and MacLaine seem to warm to their roles, and some of Montand's introspective musings about love, career, and marriage, in the unwitting presence of his wife, are genuinely touching. MacLaine looks quite stunning made up as a geisha, and the location scenes of Japan in 1961 (Kyoto, Tokyo, Miyajima, Hakone) are alone worth the price of admission. Japanese culture is treated with fond respect, not simply with amusement or exotic interest. The speech by the ancient geisha "master" about the idealization of womanhood strays a bit into embarrassing hyperbole, but this is the exception, not the rule, in the film.
Beautifully shot but an average story and a casting miscue can't save this one
nomoons111 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Now this one was a real Technicolor treat. The scenery in this one is just gorgeous. Unfortunately the story and 1 casting mistake can't make me like this film.
A famous comedy star is always directed by her husband. He wants to go out on his own and do a film without her so he can prove himself as a Director. The studios want none of it and barely give him a budget to work with so her agent and herself conspire to try and fool him by slipping her in the title role as a Geisha. Will he find out it's her and what will he do?
This one had a lot I liked but the casting of Bob Cummings was a dreadful mistake. His day and time was in the 40's comedies and by this time....he was far past his prime. His annoying portrayal of a leading comedy star who can't stop marrying women or keep his hands off of them just doesn't work. One scene he comes close to just about forcing himself on the Geisha character and let me tell you...it's a very uncomfortable watch for a "suppose-to-be-comedy". He just can't pull off the handsome leading man in this. It's a laugh in itself. The coup of this film was Yves Montand. A great French film star but for the life of me, how blind could he be not to see or figure out the Geisha was his wife? It's just not plausible that your married to someone and around them all that time and you don't get a hint that it's her. Shirley McClain is her usual stellar self. She had a nice run in the late 50's and mid 60's. She never fails to entertain but even she can't save this thing. The master himself, Edward G. Robinson, does a fine job playing her agent. Once again though, he can't save this from a negative review. The ending is pretty obvious but again, believable?... Hardly.
I think my main gripe is those Hollywood Endings we got stuck with. Within a few years we got films with some plausible consequences to bad behavior in films but this absolutely needed a different ending.
Watch this one for the fantastic scenery shots of Japan in the mountains. I doubt you'll ever see any better. Other than that, move along little doggy.
A famous comedy star is always directed by her husband. He wants to go out on his own and do a film without her so he can prove himself as a Director. The studios want none of it and barely give him a budget to work with so her agent and herself conspire to try and fool him by slipping her in the title role as a Geisha. Will he find out it's her and what will he do?
This one had a lot I liked but the casting of Bob Cummings was a dreadful mistake. His day and time was in the 40's comedies and by this time....he was far past his prime. His annoying portrayal of a leading comedy star who can't stop marrying women or keep his hands off of them just doesn't work. One scene he comes close to just about forcing himself on the Geisha character and let me tell you...it's a very uncomfortable watch for a "suppose-to-be-comedy". He just can't pull off the handsome leading man in this. It's a laugh in itself. The coup of this film was Yves Montand. A great French film star but for the life of me, how blind could he be not to see or figure out the Geisha was his wife? It's just not plausible that your married to someone and around them all that time and you don't get a hint that it's her. Shirley McClain is her usual stellar self. She had a nice run in the late 50's and mid 60's. She never fails to entertain but even she can't save this thing. The master himself, Edward G. Robinson, does a fine job playing her agent. Once again though, he can't save this from a negative review. The ending is pretty obvious but again, believable?... Hardly.
I think my main gripe is those Hollywood Endings we got stuck with. Within a few years we got films with some plausible consequences to bad behavior in films but this absolutely needed a different ending.
Watch this one for the fantastic scenery shots of Japan in the mountains. I doubt you'll ever see any better. Other than that, move along little doggy.
A great personal discovery
rsgwynn12 October 2023
I was reading a Wikipedia article on "yelllowface" in the movies. There was.a long list of examples of the practice, but I was frustrated that My Geisha wasn't listed. I kept reading and found it in a secondary list, probably because the audience is aware of the movie's premise--a great example of the extended use of dramatic irony. I saw it when I was 14; I was already a fan of Shirley MacLaine and was surprised that this comedy had some dramatic depth to it. Some of the location photography is stunning, and it was my first introduction to Puccini's music. Well, I haven't seen it since and probably never will just so I don't have to watch Bob Cummings reprising his "ladies man" routine, which was pretty funny on his tv show but lays a huge egg here. Yves Montand is always a pleasure, as is Edward G. Robinson, playing light for a change. Shirley is pretty good as well. My one bit of praise is for the "revelation scene," which makes a clever use of film technology to wake up the inattentive M. Montand. I think I saw it twice, mainly for the music. If you're an opera fan, you should see.the 1995 film version of Madame Butterfly, which I rate as one of the top five filmed operas.
Cute but almost ruined by a deadly dull leading man
jjnxn-110 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Satisfactory comedy is put over by a cute Shirley MacLaine performance and that old pro Edward G. Robinson. Bob Cummings has his moments as an egotistical star although the thought of him as a major romantic idol is a bit of a stretch. The major flaw as it always is in any film in which he appeared is that cinematic black hole Yves Montand. At least in his English language films he is so devoid of personality and charisma that he stops the picture dead in it's tracks whenever he is on screen. Also the fact that his character doesn't recognize his wife in geisha makeup when she looks exactly like Shirley MacLaine in a black wig and heavy makeup make him seem like a nitwit.
Shirley shines.
dlgart5 October 2002
What on the surface appears to be an improbable plot line becomes increasingly plausible due to the combination of great make up work, spectacular costuming, (Edith Head) and a truly amazing performance by Shirley Maclaine. Crisp, sharp focus, color cinematography, interesting locations and set design, combine with a genuine fondness for Japanese culture resulting in an admirable early 60's comedy/drama.
Pedestrian Romantic Comedy Rescued by Strong Cast and Location Work
Vornoff-39 July 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Very Mild Spoilers
The basic plot of `My Geisha' is so cliché as to be ridiculous. A husband slights his wife by implying that she could not handle the lead in his new production of `Madame Butterfly', she dresses up as a Geisha to prove he couldn't tell her from a real Japanese girl, and he hires the lovely (fake) Japanese. The rest of the story toys with infidelity and the question of whether the couple `really' loves each other and all's well that ends well. You've seen it all (and with far better comic timing) on `I Love Lucy' dozens of times.
However, Shirley MacLaine is both young and exciting as the spurned actress, Yves Montand is excellent as the long-suffering `Ricki' equivalent, and Edward G Robinson manages to pull off both Fred and Ethel while making it look almost fun to be an overstressed film producer. The Japanese actors all hold their own very well - in spite of a plot that may disturb the racial sensitivities of modern audiences. In spite of its datedness, this film manages to approach the intricacies of Japanese culture with genuine respect, and does not treat the `Geisha' as a by-definition dishonored woman. This is not to say that it depicts its subject with any degree of accurate detail, but at least it avoids the most heinous cliches.
The other redeeming aspect of the movie is a reasonable amount of strong outdoor location work in 1960's Japan. The cinematographer is Japanese, suggesting that Jack Cardiff (who was himself a cameraman at one time) was looking for an Asian eye to depict the Japan he wanted American audiences to see. `My Geisha' does not capture an `authentic' Japanese flavor - certainly it looks nothing like a contemporary Japanese film - but it does, perhaps, give a refined tour guide's perspective.
The basic plot of `My Geisha' is so cliché as to be ridiculous. A husband slights his wife by implying that she could not handle the lead in his new production of `Madame Butterfly', she dresses up as a Geisha to prove he couldn't tell her from a real Japanese girl, and he hires the lovely (fake) Japanese. The rest of the story toys with infidelity and the question of whether the couple `really' loves each other and all's well that ends well. You've seen it all (and with far better comic timing) on `I Love Lucy' dozens of times.
However, Shirley MacLaine is both young and exciting as the spurned actress, Yves Montand is excellent as the long-suffering `Ricki' equivalent, and Edward G Robinson manages to pull off both Fred and Ethel while making it look almost fun to be an overstressed film producer. The Japanese actors all hold their own very well - in spite of a plot that may disturb the racial sensitivities of modern audiences. In spite of its datedness, this film manages to approach the intricacies of Japanese culture with genuine respect, and does not treat the `Geisha' as a by-definition dishonored woman. This is not to say that it depicts its subject with any degree of accurate detail, but at least it avoids the most heinous cliches.
The other redeeming aspect of the movie is a reasonable amount of strong outdoor location work in 1960's Japan. The cinematographer is Japanese, suggesting that Jack Cardiff (who was himself a cameraman at one time) was looking for an Asian eye to depict the Japan he wanted American audiences to see. `My Geisha' does not capture an `authentic' Japanese flavor - certainly it looks nothing like a contemporary Japanese film - but it does, perhaps, give a refined tour guide's perspective.
memorable MacLAINE
Chris Clazie21 September 2006
First saw this movie on TV one afternoon whilst I was off from work.Had always wanted to see it,but after it's release(rather like John Goldfarb),it kind of disappeared.Lucky to catch up with it though,as from the opening credits I was hooked.MacLaine,very young and initially kooky,is marvellous in this film.I guess most people know the plot by now,but for a comedy,it does have it's touching moments,especially at the end.The scenery is superb,the music is great,the costumes colourful and I for one am glad this will receive a DVD release in December.Edward G and Yves Montand are both good in their roles,although I found Bob Cummings just a bit long in the tooth for his part.Altogether a very enjoyable movie and one to watch for if you haven't seen it before.Yes,I know some of it doesn't make sense,but heck,this is a comedy,and wonderful it is too.
Far-Fetched Nonsense
the_old_roman17 September 2001
Shirley MacLaine wastes her many talent in this throwaway movie. She has no chemistry at all with flat-as-a-pancake husband Yves Montand. The plot is ridiculous. Shirley plays a Lucille-Ball-type comedienne who wants her director-husband to take her seriously as an actress. So naturally, when he decides to go to Tokyo to film an authentic version of Madame Butterfly starring a real Geisha girl, she flies there and poses as one, and gets the job. Robert Cummings is too old to play Montand's "guy-type-guy" friend, but does what he can with a thankless role. Edward G. Robinson sleepwalks through his role which is okay because it's meaningless anyway. Unless you want a flavor for how Hollywood depicted Japan in 1962, this is one to avoid.
improbable, but entertaining....
spook956138 November 2006
"my geisha" is charming. suspend belief a bit, and one realises how good an actress shirley maclaine is and how convincingly she becomes a geisha.
the movie is fluff. but the attempt to parallel the plot to the libretto of "madama butterfly" is clever and almost successful. edward g.robinson as sharpless; maclaine as pinkerton, and montand as butterfly... it is a very literate attempt to use the sub-plot as the driver for the main plot.
there are moments when one is reminded of a doris day-rock hudson frolic - expected in a comedy from 1962. but there's also a real "edge" that comes from the characters being a little less than saccharine. as has been pointed out, the cinematography is quite sharp. so there is an air of substance to the production, and quality is evident.
in the end, though, one just should enjoy it.
the movie is fluff. but the attempt to parallel the plot to the libretto of "madama butterfly" is clever and almost successful. edward g.robinson as sharpless; maclaine as pinkerton, and montand as butterfly... it is a very literate attempt to use the sub-plot as the driver for the main plot.
there are moments when one is reminded of a doris day-rock hudson frolic - expected in a comedy from 1962. but there's also a real "edge" that comes from the characters being a little less than saccharine. as has been pointed out, the cinematography is quite sharp. so there is an air of substance to the production, and quality is evident.
in the end, though, one just should enjoy it.
A worn-out comic premise...
moonspinner5515 April 2007
Beleaguered, contrived story has Shirley MacLaine playing an over-eager actress determined to star in her director-husband's new picture, the musical "Madame Butterfly". But hubby Yves Montand is indifferent, so Shirl travels to the Orient to audition for him disguised as a geisha girl... it's like an episode of "I Love Lucy" where Ricky doesn't recognize his own wife incognito. MacLaine proves to be so convincing in fact that she gets mixed up in romantic misunderstandings and harried make-up switcheroos (the low-point comes when slimy co-star Robert Cummings puts the moves on the sexy geisha--nearly raping her in the process). Terrible movie has a talented star and top-drawer production values, yet it wastes both on ridiculous material. * from ****
A Practical Joke Goes Too Far
bkoganbing2 March 2007
My Geisha is a film that I'm not sure why it is overlooked. Essentially Shirley MacLaine plays two roles in this film. One she's Lucy Dell, a Hollywood Actress not unlike Shirley MacLaine. But with a lot of heavy makeup she's also playing a geisha girl who husband/director Yves Montand picks to star in a film version of Madame Butterfly.
Shirley at that time was married to Steve Parker who lived and worked in Japan and they had one of the weirdest marriages on record. They stayed together almost thirty years, basically because they only saw each other once or twice a year with her living in Hollywood. But this film with Steve Parker producing it for his wife brought them together for a much longer sojourn.
Montand directs his wife's films and she's known as a good comic actress in the profession. He and her perennial leading man Bob Cummings want to do a serious drama, Madame Butterfly, film the Puccini opera with dubbed in singers.
MacLaine and producer Edward G. Robinson go to Japan, Shirley in secret and for a lark she puts on geisha makeup and outfit. Montand and Cummings are so taken with her that Montand hires the geisha that Shirley is pretending to be as the lead in Madame Butterfly.
The masquerade is kept going, but the joke runs into some unforeseen complications for all concerned.
My Geisha glides effortlessly from comedy to drama when the careers and egos of both MacLaine and Montand are on the line. It works out in a highly unusual way. Both Montand and MacLaine do very well by their lead parts with Bob Cummings portraying a wolfish leading man and Edward G. Robinson to dispense wise counsel for all.
It's a very good part for Shirley MacLaine. She summons some hidden depths for the film in portraying the tragic geisha of Madame Butterfly. It's one of her best films.
Shirley at that time was married to Steve Parker who lived and worked in Japan and they had one of the weirdest marriages on record. They stayed together almost thirty years, basically because they only saw each other once or twice a year with her living in Hollywood. But this film with Steve Parker producing it for his wife brought them together for a much longer sojourn.
Montand directs his wife's films and she's known as a good comic actress in the profession. He and her perennial leading man Bob Cummings want to do a serious drama, Madame Butterfly, film the Puccini opera with dubbed in singers.
MacLaine and producer Edward G. Robinson go to Japan, Shirley in secret and for a lark she puts on geisha makeup and outfit. Montand and Cummings are so taken with her that Montand hires the geisha that Shirley is pretending to be as the lead in Madame Butterfly.
The masquerade is kept going, but the joke runs into some unforeseen complications for all concerned.
My Geisha glides effortlessly from comedy to drama when the careers and egos of both MacLaine and Montand are on the line. It works out in a highly unusual way. Both Montand and MacLaine do very well by their lead parts with Bob Cummings portraying a wolfish leading man and Edward G. Robinson to dispense wise counsel for all.
It's a very good part for Shirley MacLaine. She summons some hidden depths for the film in portraying the tragic geisha of Madame Butterfly. It's one of her best films.
Offensive by today's standards
HotToastyRag7 April 2020
My Geisha could never, ever be made today, for so many reasons. In addition to it being enormously politically incorrect and offensive, it would also anger every feminist on the planet. In the film, Shirley MacLaine plays an actress married to a director, Yves Montand, but he doesn't really take her career seriously. She's an extremely well-loved and successful actress, but he doesn't think she can carry a drama. When he decides to make a movie of Madame Butterfly, Shirley wants the part. Yves doesn't think she'd be convincing in the role, and to prove him wrong, she decides to don a disguise and audition as an actual Japanese geisha. She tries to learn enough Japanese to get by when real Japanese people talk to her, but most of the time, she just makes offensive sounds and hopes no one will notice. I'm not dissing Shirley; these parts were actually written into the script. Why did anyone think was a good idea?
Besides the obvious offensive aspects of the story, I had trouble with the casting. If the entire point of the movie was that Shirley has to talk in an accent and pretend she barely speaks English, why did they cast someone as her husband who talks in an extremely thick accent and seems like he barely speaks English? I always have a hard time understand Yves Montand, and since many of his lines involve teaching English to Shirley-when she's in geisha-mode and pretends not to understand his English colloquialisms-wouldn't it make sense to cast someone who doesn't seem to need lessons himself?
One person I did like in the movie was Edward G. Robinson. I always love him, and I think he transitioned marvelously in his career from a young to middle-aged man. In the 1950s and 1960s, he still took very meaty roles, instead of fading away. You can skip this one, though, and rent A Hole in the Head instead.
Besides the obvious offensive aspects of the story, I had trouble with the casting. If the entire point of the movie was that Shirley has to talk in an accent and pretend she barely speaks English, why did they cast someone as her husband who talks in an extremely thick accent and seems like he barely speaks English? I always have a hard time understand Yves Montand, and since many of his lines involve teaching English to Shirley-when she's in geisha-mode and pretends not to understand his English colloquialisms-wouldn't it make sense to cast someone who doesn't seem to need lessons himself?
One person I did like in the movie was Edward G. Robinson. I always love him, and I think he transitioned marvelously in his career from a young to middle-aged man. In the 1950s and 1960s, he still took very meaty roles, instead of fading away. You can skip this one, though, and rent A Hole in the Head instead.
I loved this film....
planktonrules4 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I am not sure how this film would be received by the Japanese. The idea of an American actress posing as a geisha would seem utterly silly to them, I would assume. However, despite seeming insane to me, this really worked...and was a lovely film.
Shirley MacLaine played a famous actress married to a director (Yves Montand). He is about to make a movie version of "Madame Butterfly" and resists her request for him to cast her in the movie. So, to prove to him she could do it, she secretly follows him to Japan to find the perfect actress. Posing as a geisha, MacLaine is able to convince him to cast her in the role--and he has no idea she is his wife. This is all very clever and cute--and MacLaine makes the best of this role. Perhaps she isn't perfect but I can't think of another American actress of the time doing better. She is, oddly, quite credible.
The film, however, takes a big jump later in the movie. Instead of a light film, a darker side of all this comes to light. I could easily say more but think you really need to see it for yourself. I loved how the story eventually became a parallel to "Madame Butterfly"--and ended marvelously (nearly making me cry). I think some feminists today might blanch at this ending, but I really understood MacLaine's sacrifice and thought this was a perfect way to wrap up the film.
Exceptionally complex and enjoyable. The writing was amazing and acting quite good. This seemingly slight movie really took me by surprise and has an amazing depth to it. Well worth seeing and, at times, fun and at others quite touching. See this film.
By the way, if you do see this film, pay attention to the attempted seduction scene involving Bob Cummings. When seen today, this certainly appears like an attempted rape and is quite creepy.
Shirley MacLaine played a famous actress married to a director (Yves Montand). He is about to make a movie version of "Madame Butterfly" and resists her request for him to cast her in the movie. So, to prove to him she could do it, she secretly follows him to Japan to find the perfect actress. Posing as a geisha, MacLaine is able to convince him to cast her in the role--and he has no idea she is his wife. This is all very clever and cute--and MacLaine makes the best of this role. Perhaps she isn't perfect but I can't think of another American actress of the time doing better. She is, oddly, quite credible.
The film, however, takes a big jump later in the movie. Instead of a light film, a darker side of all this comes to light. I could easily say more but think you really need to see it for yourself. I loved how the story eventually became a parallel to "Madame Butterfly"--and ended marvelously (nearly making me cry). I think some feminists today might blanch at this ending, but I really understood MacLaine's sacrifice and thought this was a perfect way to wrap up the film.
Exceptionally complex and enjoyable. The writing was amazing and acting quite good. This seemingly slight movie really took me by surprise and has an amazing depth to it. Well worth seeing and, at times, fun and at others quite touching. See this film.
By the way, if you do see this film, pay attention to the attempted seduction scene involving Bob Cummings. When seen today, this certainly appears like an attempted rape and is quite creepy.
Shirley as Madam Butterfly will tear your heart out.
georgeleague5 June 2003
Most of this movie is a regular romantic comedy with some excellent stars. But the end of the movie, where Shirley plays the death scene from Madam Butterfly, will make you weep. I first saw this when I was in the military, and had never seen Madam Butterfly. After seeing this movie, I went to the opera to see the full opera, and it has become my favorite. Having seen the death scene many times in my life, Shirley's performance still ranks up there with the best.
Seen once, but unforgettable and haunting.
lfowden8431 July 2006
Although I only saw this movie once over ten years ago on late night TV,I was struck by the beautiful scenery and the storyline somehow reminded me of James Mason & Judy Garland "A star is born".Shirley Mclaine is a favorite of mine and she managed to imbue the Japanese persona so purely and one could feel Yves Montand frustration and eagerness to achieve success without his wife.I cannot recall much more of this film but I do know that my best friend Maruschka has watched it so many times that her tape copy is wearing out.It is a classic love story. Very hard to find a copy for it and I would love to see it out on DVD.I would then surprise my friend by buying her a copy (and one for me also).Millie
Land of the Rising Fun!
mmallon423 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Oh man, these are the kinds of quirky film concepts I live for, definitely up there with films like The Major and the Minor, The Whole Town's Talking or Sylvia Scarlett. I've never previously been a Shirley MacLaine fan but My Geisha may have converted me. Unlike many dual identity films, I actually found the premise here believable, in that Lucy's husband Paul Robiax (Yves Montand) wouldn't recognise her disguised as her alter ego geisha by the name of Yoko - At times I found myself MacLaine is pretending to be a Geisha. Ok, the illusion might not work for everyone but it did for this viewer. Also on a more superficial appraisal, omg Yoko is so cute! I was also surprised and delighted that Edward G. Robinson actually has almost as much screen time as MacLaine, making the two a great comedic pairing. I stated in my review of The Whole Towns Talking (1935) that Edward G. Robinson appeared in some very quirky comedies in his career but this film just furthers that statement, My Geisha is by far the quirkiest of them all.
However, it's not just goofiness for the sake of goofiness, the dual identity set up actually allows for a deep and complex plot. For starters it examines the business of film by acknowledging the dilemma of casting white actors as non-white characters; you can't get a large budget for a film unless it stars a big box office draw, most of who in the early 1960's where white. The other surprising area of depth that comes out of the goofy plot is the examination of the husband's ego, tired of being in the shadow of his wife's success and desiring the more conservative nature of Japanese society, a nature which Robaix acknowledges is disappearing from Japan as the country becomes increasingly westernised. Another point of interest if the moment when Edward G. Robinson's character receives the news that Lucy's husband has discovered the truth about Yoko, Robinson asks to be taken to the fourth floor of the hotel. The Japanese tend to avoid the use of the number 4 due to superstitions regarding the number as unlucky.
My Geisha would unsurprisingly not be made today would be seen as politically incorrect with its use of so-called "yellowface", not to mention Bob Cummings in the role of somewhat creepy adulterous movie star Bob Moore who doesn't quite understand boundaries. Yet even a film of this manner was made today, you know the film world come to a halt for 20 minutes when Lucy's secret is revealed (otherwise known as the dreaded cliché of the liar revealed) in which one character would tell the other about how they've been betrayed and they never want to see each other again even though they get back together at the end. Not here though, when Lucy's husband discovers she is Yoko (which I should add is done a very clever manner) he quietly accepts that he was fooled and there's no big pointless, drawn-out argument scene. Sorry, classic movie fanboy rant.
I wonder what the Japanese reaction to this was. I assume this is an idealised, tourist brochure version of Japan but either way this film sure looks beautiful. I believe this could likely be credited to the surprising choice of director, Jack Cardiff, normally more famous for his work as a cinematographer. The entire film is a feast for the eyes and ears with its eye-popping colour and score by Franz Waxman (even the film within a film looks incredible and is itself emotionally moving). Not to mention to the costume design by the great Edith Head, it's clear in classic Hollywood films that costumes were no afterthought. My Geisha is another obscure, quirky gem which I adore.
However, it's not just goofiness for the sake of goofiness, the dual identity set up actually allows for a deep and complex plot. For starters it examines the business of film by acknowledging the dilemma of casting white actors as non-white characters; you can't get a large budget for a film unless it stars a big box office draw, most of who in the early 1960's where white. The other surprising area of depth that comes out of the goofy plot is the examination of the husband's ego, tired of being in the shadow of his wife's success and desiring the more conservative nature of Japanese society, a nature which Robaix acknowledges is disappearing from Japan as the country becomes increasingly westernised. Another point of interest if the moment when Edward G. Robinson's character receives the news that Lucy's husband has discovered the truth about Yoko, Robinson asks to be taken to the fourth floor of the hotel. The Japanese tend to avoid the use of the number 4 due to superstitions regarding the number as unlucky.
My Geisha would unsurprisingly not be made today would be seen as politically incorrect with its use of so-called "yellowface", not to mention Bob Cummings in the role of somewhat creepy adulterous movie star Bob Moore who doesn't quite understand boundaries. Yet even a film of this manner was made today, you know the film world come to a halt for 20 minutes when Lucy's secret is revealed (otherwise known as the dreaded cliché of the liar revealed) in which one character would tell the other about how they've been betrayed and they never want to see each other again even though they get back together at the end. Not here though, when Lucy's husband discovers she is Yoko (which I should add is done a very clever manner) he quietly accepts that he was fooled and there's no big pointless, drawn-out argument scene. Sorry, classic movie fanboy rant.
I wonder what the Japanese reaction to this was. I assume this is an idealised, tourist brochure version of Japan but either way this film sure looks beautiful. I believe this could likely be credited to the surprising choice of director, Jack Cardiff, normally more famous for his work as a cinematographer. The entire film is a feast for the eyes and ears with its eye-popping colour and score by Franz Waxman (even the film within a film looks incredible and is itself emotionally moving). Not to mention to the costume design by the great Edith Head, it's clear in classic Hollywood films that costumes were no afterthought. My Geisha is another obscure, quirky gem which I adore.
A nice '50's style movie...
Chris-14712 November 1999
From a cinematographic point of view this movie is nothing special. However, the performance of Shirley MacLaine, as a Geisha who is secretly playing in her husbands movie, is very good (as always).
Accompanied by some other great movie stars, like Edward G. Robinson and Yves Montand, in the supporting roles, this movie is well worth watching. A typical '50s style comedy/drama.
Accompanied by some other great movie stars, like Edward G. Robinson and Yves Montand, in the supporting roles, this movie is well worth watching. A typical '50s style comedy/drama.
Masterful classic
martinpersson9712 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This incredible and award winning drama, by the ever incredible master filmmaker Jack Cardiff, is definitely a quentissential piece of film history, and one which influence can never be overstated, to say the least.
The actors all do an incredible job, as one would expect from such a legendary cast, of course. Very career defining, very unique and very nuanced. The script accompining it is expertly paced, and masterfully written.
The cinematography, cutting and editing is incredible, and very revolutionary. The way the film is cut, and how it utilizes imagery is just breathtaking, one of the more beautifully put together pieces I've ever seen.
Overall, an all time masterpiece, that is, of course, ever recommended for any lover of film!
The actors all do an incredible job, as one would expect from such a legendary cast, of course. Very career defining, very unique and very nuanced. The script accompining it is expertly paced, and masterfully written.
The cinematography, cutting and editing is incredible, and very revolutionary. The way the film is cut, and how it utilizes imagery is just breathtaking, one of the more beautifully put together pieces I've ever seen.
Overall, an all time masterpiece, that is, of course, ever recommended for any lover of film!
An old story never portrayed better
Bernie44442 January 2024
Paul Roubaix (Yves Montand) is a top-notch movie maker. The only problem is that everyone attributes his success to his actress wife Lucy Dell (Shirley MacLaine.) To prove to himself and others, he sets out for Japan to do a remake of 'Madame Butterfly', without his wife's participation.
Unknown to him, the studio, reprehensive played by Edward G Robinson, has condemned him to a black and white film. His wife has cooked up a scheme to extricate her husband from the situation.
Will this plan save face or become the downfall of their career and marriage?
One of the filming locations is Tokyo, Japan. I only visited once in 1967 while on R&R. Mostly on the Ginza in the foreign section of the bookstores. I did not recognize any scenes from the movie.
Unknown to him, the studio, reprehensive played by Edward G Robinson, has condemned him to a black and white film. His wife has cooked up a scheme to extricate her husband from the situation.
Will this plan save face or become the downfall of their career and marriage?
One of the filming locations is Tokyo, Japan. I only visited once in 1967 while on R&R. Mostly on the Ginza in the foreign section of the bookstores. I did not recognize any scenes from the movie.
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