Final Take: The Golden Age of Movies (キネマの天地)

Shochiku Ofuna Studios 50th Anniversary

Produced by Shochiku Company

A Shochiku Production

Asakusa Cinema District Tokyo, 1933

Under the indigo skies...

like green minnows, they flit here and there.

At the height of spring, blossoms abound...

Tokyo in full bloom

In the darkness before the film starts...

Somehow the flower of love blossomed.

So many young memories...

born in Asakusa, the flower of Tokyo

In the 1930s, Japanese movies...

grew into cinema art...

for the Japanese, no... for people around the world.

Movies were the king of entertainment.

- Crackers, caramels, fish cake... - Fish cakes. - Yes.

Thank you very much.

Hey miss! What's your name?

You come to look at the movie, or to look at my face?

To look at your face, of course!

Crackers! Cara-

Hey miss! You're really cute!

Look at this money!

It's still damp.

These young girls from the sticks... They squeeze it so tightly.

"Uncle... Is this movie any good?" That's what they ask.

"Of course it's good!"

"Buy a ticket and come inside."

So make good films so I can say that with confidence.

On the other hand...

if you make those artsy movies...

I'll be in a tough spot!

This isn't a hobby... This is a business.

See Shochiku's new Kamata Studio movie. Now at the Imperial, "Spring at 19".

Sorry...

- Koharu! The manager wants to see you! - Why?

No idea.

And I was counting on seeing the film.

- Did you call for me, Sir? - Koharu... Come, come.

This is... Mr. Ogura.

The movie we're showing, "Spring at 19"... He's the director.

He wanted a close look at you...

This could turn out well for you.

I'll order some coffee right away, Mr. Ogura.

Please... Have a seat.

Your name is Koharu?

Yes...

My name is Tanaka Koharu.

Say...

How would you like to be a movie actress?

The studio guys said...

There's a real pretty girl working at the Imperial...

You appear to have moxie and your voice is good.

Talking movies are going to be big soon...

We're going to need people with good voices, no?

Flowers bloom, birds sing. Petals fall, people weep.

Life can be so fickle.

But why is fate so cruel to this young woman?

Mr. Ogura... Will she be a movie star?

You don't just start out as a movie star.

You start out as a bit player. Then you work your way up, step by step.

It all depends on how hard she works.

Why the long face?

Wouldn't you like it... working in the movie business?

What's wrong?

This is so sudden.

I'm still in shock.

Her tears glistening.

Sad spring... She's only nineteen.

While picking violets in the morning dew, she cries...

Sad spring... She's only nineteen.

Executive Producer: Okuyama Toru

Kinema no tenchi

Screenplay: Asama Yoshitaka Yamada Taichi Inoue Hisashi

Cinematography: Takaba Tetsuo Art Direction: Degawa Mitsuo Music Yamamoto Naozumi

Nakai Kiichi Arimori Narimi

Atsumi Kiyoshi

Matzuzaka Keiko Baisho Chieko

Suma Kei Miho Jun Ryo Chisu

Matsumoto Koshiro Fujiyama Kanbi

Producer: Nomura Yoshitaro

Written and Directed by: Yamada Yoji

Good morning.

How's your new film?

"Where is Father?" Pure Melodrama.

The mother of tearjerkers.

Naito Unit... Location shoot canceled due to rain.

Shooting!

Final take! Quiet on set!

So it's a talkie

Ready... Action!

"Where is Father?" 92-11

What the hell! Don't do it so loudly!

Sorry.

Grasp the mood and then do it.

If you can't, you'll never be a director.

Ready...!

Action!

Doctor...

My daughter...

Has she come yet?

Yes!

Okay!

Next... A wide shot.

Get the music ready...

You never clean like this at home, right?

I do...

You liar...

- You all right? - Yes.

Father! It's me... Sumiko!

He has passed away.

The time is 2:36...

Father!

I thought we three would live together again...

Why? Why?

The father's hands...

Cut!!

- There's something missing. - Yes.

Where's the nurse? There's supposed to be a nurse!

Manager!

What's going on?

We were supposed to use Otsune.

But she has an upset stomach.

Get someone from somewhere.

Okada isn't using extras today...

and Naito is only using kids.

Then put on a nurse's uniform...

and stand there looking pretty.

This isn't funny!!

A hospital has to have a nurse.

The patient is dying!

You guys are useless!

Go out and find someone!

A noodle shop girl, a candy stand girl... Could do it!

You! Didn't we meet at the Imperial?

Yes.

Good timing! I need you to be a nurse.

Hey! Come here...

This girl... Get her a costume... Have her hair done.

What am I supposed to do?

You saw the take just now?

Yes.

Just stand behind the doctor...

You don't have to do anything.

Can I do it?

Hey Buddy!

Can you hurry?

I know...

The kids they hire these days...

Now dear... Look this way.

Hurry! Hurry!

Yes!

Good afternoon.

I'm sorry!

Are you okay?

Yes.

Just now... Wasn't that Kawashima Sumei?

It was.

Hurry!

Yes!

You ready?

- Yes. - Okay.

Right... Test! One time only.

Ready...

Action!

Father!

Wait a minute! What are you doing standing there?

How can I act with you there?

When she makes her entrance...

You just move back a bit... Over here.

Got it?

Yes.

Sorry... Sorry...

Okay... Let's do another take!

Quiet on set!

Ready...

Go!

Father!

It's me... Sumiko!

He has passed away...

The time is 2:36

Father!

Cut!

Hey, nurse...

Why aren't you crying?

But...

I'm a nurse, so...

Sir, nurses usually don't cry at times like this...

I... I know that!

That might be so in reality...

But this is a tragic scene and she has to burst out crying...

Keep your mouth shut! We're losing time!

You heard what I said.

Cry!

Quiet on set!

Ready...

Action!

Father!

It's me! Sumiko!