Operation Teahouse (1956) User Reviews

Brief look at filming location for "Teahouse of the August Moon"...

[Doylenf · 5/10 · 28 May 2008]

This is an MGM promotional short showing the leading actors, MARLON BRANDO and GLENN FORD arriving at the airport in Japan where they are greeted by a number of Japanese before departing for the filming location where MGM has built a small village on 11 acres of land.

The narrator says something about "the scenic beauty of Old Japan" but the concentration remains on the construction of the teahouse setting. We're told that Brando has worked for several months on his accent and we see him in make-up for the role. EDDIE ALBERT and HARRY MORGAN are seen relaxing between scenes, as well as a couple of the Japanese actresses who are being made up for their roles as Geisha girls.

For this meeting of east and west cultures, we're told that 12 bilingual translators were necessary for production to flow smoothly.

Teahouse Promo

[CitizenCaine · 5/10 · 30 August 2008]

This brief promotional film highlights the several actors arriving in Japan, relaxing between filming, and hanging around on set and near location of the film Teahouse Of The August Moon. Marlon Brando is seen in make-up, Glenn Ford and Eddie Albert on location, Harry Morgan relaxing, and Machiko Kyo readying for her geisha role. Kyo starred with Toshiro Mifune in Rashomon several years before. Paul Ford, who was appearing on the "The Phil Silvers Show" on television, had a memorable role in this film; he is not featured in this promo however. The film highlights a little of the Japanese countryside and location preparation for shooting. Many translators were hired for this production due to the American and Japanese co-production. The film concludes with the building of the teahouse set for the film, and it's narrated by George Fenneman of "You Bet Your Life" fame. The film is in color, but it features no comments from the actors. ** of 4 stars.

Another forgettable old MGM film promo

[TimeNTide · 28 May 2008]

This short is a promo for the 1956 MGM film "The Teahouse of the August Moon", and it is occasionally shown on TCM.

MGM is praised for using Japanese locations, promoting international relations, etc. The cast and crew are shown arriving in Japan and being welcomed by the Japanese, and then shown in various clips around the set. However, there are no interviews as this short is all narration. The narrator makes a few lame jokes, introduces us to the famous Japanese actress Machiko Kyô, and provides a few tidbits on Japanese culture (e.g. the meaning of the word "geisha"). The short wraps up with construction of the Teahouse set and a clip of the feature film to show the result.

Typical film promo from that era. Forgettable, mildly interesting at best, but nothing bad. You can sit through the four or five minutes of this while waiting for the next film on TCM to start, or go refill your drink.