The Song Lantern

Release Date: 1943-02-11

Overview: A self-absorbed young actor humiliates an elderly Noh performer, who then commits suicide. His act of cruelty compels his father to disown him, leading the once promising actor to a life on the streets. But his desire to win back the respect of his father and the affection of the dead actor's daughter pushes him toward a more noble existence. Naruse employed a delicately structured mise-en-scene in this family melodrama, which evokes the work of Josef von Sternberg.

Rating: 6.8 / 10

Cast

Shōtarō Hanayagi

as Onchi Kitahachi

Eijirō Yanagi

as Jirozou

Ichijirō Oya

as Onchi Genjiro

Kan Ishii

as Henmi Sessou

Isuzu Yamada

as O-Sode