The Song Lantern

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.

Directed by Mikio Naruse

Top cast

Shōtarō Hanayagi

Onchi Kitahachi

Eijirō Yanagi

Jirozou

I

Ichijirō Oya

Onchi Genjiro

Kan Ishii

Henmi Sessou

Isuzu Yamada

O-Sode

E

Eiichi Seto

Gen-ichi

M

Masao Murata

Muneyama

Tamae Kiyokawa

Details