Cast
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Ruriko Asaoka
as Ruriko
Minoru Takada
as Professor
Frankie Sakai
as Clown
Soichi Asanuma
as Shorty
Fumio Nagai
as Bean Pole
Hideaki Ishii
as Chubby
Kenjiro Uemura
as Tazawa
Toshiyuki Ichimura
as Onyudo
Toppa Utsumi
as Bikko
Ichirō Arishima
as Antiques Salesman
Zenji Yamada
as Police Officer
Nobuteru Hanamura
as Tazawa Henchman
Mie Kitahara
as Dancer
Masumi Okada
as Moon Prince
Kyōko Akemi
as Mamiko's mother
Crew
Director
- Umetsugu Inoue
Writer
- Umetsugu Inoue
Producer
- Takiko Mizunoe
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Green Music Box examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Umetsugu Inoue brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1955, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Green Music Box took approximately 22 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 90 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 149 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1374 individual shots.
- The musical score contains over 30 unique compositions.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 3 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1955, when this film was released:
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Green Music Box shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Little Paris, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Green Music Box subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Fados and Descendants explore similar territory, The Green Music Box stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 8, 1955
- Runtime: 1h 30m
