japanese american james shigeta (H in H pt 2b)
there was only ONE japanese actor that was considered a ROMANTIC leading man in my youth.
JAMES SHIGETA.
a japanese american (nisei) born in hawaii, and schooled in new york (majored in english) james was actually
'discovered' on the TED MACK amateur hour (equivalent of 'american idol' or 'star search' of the time) and
with his gorgeous good looks, was probably THE undisputed 'go to' japanese actor of his time.
unlike mifune san, who was so often cast in "samurai" style roles in hollywood....james was fluent in english (likely considered it his 'native tongue', as most nisei did) .... (he is also fluent in japanese, french and italian) was exotic, extremely handsome, tall, and elegant. james was able to play romantic leads (VERY uncommon in hollywood)
and often starred in vehicles featuring inter-racial romance. (only in the classic film, SAYONARA with marlon brando, do i recall another movie (1960's) with such a major inter racial storyline....this one taking place in japan, with caucasian military men in 'forbidden' romantic relationships with japanese women).
while he was in a 'light comedy' called CRY FOR HAPPY (also WWII japan/america military film starring glenn ford)
the movie that was the one of the most memorable, for the east/west ROMANCE is a film called BRIDGE TO THE SUN.
(okay, you know how i love all 'LINKS' to our hiro)....BRIDGE - to- the- SUN (sunshine) tee hee.
anyway, this is also a book of the same name (author: gwen terasaki) and can be found on amazon.com. it is based on her own autobiography. ...and it is a movie WORTH trying to find. TOTAL TEARJERKER. (it will only be on VHS, IF you can find it). shigeta plays a japanese diplomat.
he often played chinese men (FLOWER DRUM SONG), often did feature parts on t.v shows, and in 1988 had a role in the original DIE HARD. he truly had a career that was quite amazing (especially considering the time) for a japanese actor.
i was SO EXCITED to find this clip on youtube....which was part of a TRIBUTE to james shigeta.
BRIDGE to the SUN...
if anyone is interested in watching this film, (it was never released on vhs or dvd, officially) i did find a resource.
i can't post this info, as it is an industry resource. but if you would like to purchase it, PM me, and i can share
the info with you.
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This is amazing!! I am learning so much about Japanese actors in Hollywood! I didn't know about James Shigeta, and it is truly powerful that we can watch a glimpse with YouTube!! Wow, he IS handsome, isn't he!!?? And altho I DID know OF "Shogun", I have never actually watched it - and I didn't even know that it was a TV series...
OMG, reiko, I can't wait for your finale!! Do you mind if I post a link to these entries on my HSN blog, and let RinRin know about it??
i'm so happy you are enjoying this LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG explanation. (and you know that i can do 'long' posts/e's. tee hee) i am going to be posting SEVERAL more segments of PART 2.... the more i dig, the more TREASURES i find. it's been an equally amazing journey for me, and it makes me MORE and MORE in awe of our hiro sama.
now...a few quick notes (i'll add some of these to each 'post' for each actor)...
1. james shigeta was in san francisco in july of 2006, doing a stage play (love letters) with his co star from FLOWER DRUM SONG, nancy kwan!!! wow. YOU could have seen him on stage! (and he's STILL hunky!!!)
2. you can find the entire SHOGUN t.v. series on NETFLIX!!! (4 or 5 disc).
3. netflix has MANY movies, etc of all the actors i'll be profiling...so watch for the links.
please feel free to post a link on HSN, as well as let RinRin know, if you'd like to. i hope she can let her japan friends/fans know how much courage and fortitude hiro has to even ATTEMPT to break down the LONG standing barriers he must be encountering. i am hoping this comprehensive overview will help to shed some LIGHT on what hiro is facing in this new quest he has taken on, and what a strong foundation he is building.
i won't be writing the 'FINALE' part 3 (which will be ALL about our guy) for at least a week, or so. but i hope the 'journey' that i take you on will make it worth the wait. i'm glad you are enjoying it. :) it's been such a gift to have the you tube clips that i can find, available to help demonstrate my points.
the NEXT installment...is SPECIAL...for YOU. tee hee. (you will see)....
stay tuned....
Let me tell you again, Rei chan, how much I appreciate reading your blog! And don't worry about it getting long - it's well worth it! :D
I saw Die hard was on TV a couple of nights ago. I hadn't seen it before so now I had to watch it just to check out Shigeta - thanks to YOU I had to endure that film, haha, just kidding! (For that matter, I could watch it for the voice of Alan Rickman alone...). Unfortunately I didn't enter until when there wasn't much time left for Shigeta san though... : /
Oh and... there are people who haven't seen Shogun?? I believe I may have lied to you Reiko chan - gomen nasai!! I think Shogun MAY be one of my earliest memories involving Japan, hee hee!
I just watched now Bridge to the Sun on TCM ! its the 4th time I watch it, first time was in 1960something I dont remember exactly !
Each time I find James Shegata more and more attractive ! and a real Gentleman.
that is WONDERFUL that you saw this magnificent movie on TCM!
(i just checked our tv guide, and unfortunately, it is not currently on
the list, but NOW, i will continue to check for it.)
THANK YOU for letting me know! i so agree, james shigeta is one
of the most elegant asian leading men we've ever had in hollywood!
(i always cry at the end...)