Watch My Geisha

My Geisha is a 1962 American-Japanese comedy film directed by Jack Cardiff and starring Shirley MacLaine, Yves Montand, and Edward G. Robinson. The story is about a famous Hollywood actress named Lucy Dell (Shirley MacLaine), who wants to direct a new film adaptation of a Japanese novel. Her husband, Paul (Yves Montand), is a French director who has been working in Hollywood for years. But when Lucy decides to play the leading role of a geisha, she goes undercover as a young Japanese woman and goes to Japan to learn the customs and traditions of geishas. She transforms into a skilled geisha and falls in love with her own husband, who thinks that she is a young geisha named Yoko.

The plot of the movie is intriguing as it follows the story of Lucy, who has a deep desire to direct her own film adaptation of a Japanese novel. However, when her husband Paul is hired to direct the film, he refuses to allow her to play the lead because he doesn't think she's right for the role. This is where the movie gets interesting as Lucy decides to go to Japan and play the lead role of a geisha herself, disguised as a young Japanese woman named Yoko. Lucy's plan is to win Paul over, and when he eventually falls in love with Yoko, Lucy's geisha persona, things become complicated.

The movie is humorous and entertaining, with a mix of drama and romance. The film explores the culture of Japan and the traditions of the geisha. Lucy's transformation into a geisha is shown in detail, including her training, costumes, and makeup. The movie showcases the beauty of Japan and its culture, as well as the challenges of living there as a foreigner.

Shirley MacLaine gives a brilliant performance as both Lucy and Yoko, showcasing her acting talent and versatility. Yves Montand is also excellent as Paul, Lucy's husband, who is torn between his feelings for Yoko and his loyalty to Lucy. Edward G. Robinson, who plays a Hollywood producer, adds to the humor of the movie with his performance.

The movie also features an impressive cast of Japanese actors, including Yoko Tani as Aiko, a geisha friend of Yoko, and Tatsuo Saito as Nakamura, a traditional Japanese artist who falls in love with Yoko. The supporting cast does an excellent job of portraying the rich culture and traditions of Japan.

The movie was shot in both Hollywood and Japan, and the locations are stunning. The Japanese locations include the picturesque cities of Kyoto and Tokyo, and the movie makes full use of the beauty of these locations.

The music in the movie is also noteworthy, with a mix of Japanese and Western-inspired music. The score by Franz Waxman, which includes traditional Japanese instruments, adds to the authenticity of the film.

My Geisha is a charming and entertaining movie that showcases the beauty of Japan and its culture. The performances by Shirley MacLaine, Yves Montand, and Edward G. Robinson make for an enjoyable watch. The film also highlights the difficulties of living in a foreign country and the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures. If you're a fan of classic Hollywood movies, this one is definitely worth watching.

In conclusion, My Geisha is a classic Hollywood movie that is both entertaining and charming. It features an excellent cast, magnificent locations, and an authentic representation of Japanese culture. The film's exploration of Japan and the geisha tradition makes it a must-see for anyone interested in international cinema.

My Geisha is a 1962 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.