Retrospective: Inoue Umetsugu
Midori haruka ni
Dir. Inoue Umetsugu
Japan 1955, 90’
Subtitles: Polish & English
The first feature-length theatrical film shot in Konicolor, The Green Music Box is based on the eponymous novel by Makoto Hojo. A musical action film for children, the movie typifies Inoue Umetsugu’s creative use of color. It marks the debut of fourteen-year-old Ruriko Asaoka, whose character becomes entangled with a spy trying to steal her father’s secrets. The cast also includes the talented comedian Frankie Sakai. Asaoka would sustain a career in Nikkatsu action and melodrama pictures through the following decades, while Sakai brought his inimitable sly humor to a number of Yuzo Kawashima’s vibrant dark comedies. The restored 35mm Konicolor print is from the Collection of the National Film Archive of Japan, Tokyo. - Adapted from Il Cinema Ritrovato.
Inoue Umetsugu
Inoue Umetsugu (1923-2010) was a Japanese film director and scriptwriter. He directed 115 movies, wrote 101 screenplays, and is credited with the original story for five films. In addition, he worked with all six major Japanese film production companies.His film work extended to Hong Kong, and he did the technical guidance for movies there from 1966 to 1970. The Polish Retrospective is considered a prelude to other Inoue Umetsugu Retrospectives being programmed in order to celebrate the centenary of his birth.
Filmography
1955 Midori Harukani a.k.a The Green Music Box
1960 Shōri to Haiboku
1960 Six Suspects
1961 Gonin no Totsugeki Tai
1967 Hong Kong Nocturne
1967 King Drummer
1967 Operation Lipstick
1968 Hong Kong Rhapsody
1976 Ikare Doku Hebi: Moku Gekisha o Kese a.k.a Cobra
1983 Man Who Causes a Storm
Cast & Crew
Director: Inoue Umetsugu
Screenplay: Inoue Umetsugu, Hojo Makoto
Cinematography: Kakita Isamu
Editing: Suzuki Akira
Music: Yoneyama Masao
Costume Design: Nakahara Jun’ichi
Cast: Asaoka Ruriko, Takada Minoru, Fujishiro Ayuko, Asanuma Sōichi, Nagai Fumio, Ishii Hideaki, Watanabe Noriko, Uemura Kenjirō, Akemi Kyōko, Furankī Sakai
Producer: Mizunoe Takiko
Production: Nikkatsu
Language: Japanese
Colouration: Colour
