A Majority of One (1961)
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: both leads in this movie were miscast. Rosalind Russell plays a European Jewish immigrant, and Alec Guinness plays a Japanese man. It’s a running joke in my house that I always say, “It should have been Shelley Winters!” but in this case, it’s absolutely true. It should have been Shelley Winters. And given the progress Hollywood race relations had made up to that point, there’s no reason why a Caucasian man had to be made up to be Japanese. It should have been Sessue Hayakawa! Or, they could have given veteran character actor Philip Ahn a break.
Now that it’s out of the way, let’s enjoy the movie. Even though they were miscast, both Roz and Alec are as good as they possibly can be. Their shortcomings are not either of their faults. Alec masters the mannerisms of a polite Japanese businessman: bowing, closing his eyes slightly when he’s hurt, and turning his feelings inward. Roz lays on a thick layer of guilt when talking to her children and personifies a remark her character knows to be true: “Foreigners are very sensitive people.” It’s not really a surprise that two great pros give two great performances, but every time you watch this movie, you’ll get more out of it.
The story of A Majority of One is fascinating and timeless. Very simply, it’s about prejudice. Rosalind Russell is a middle-aged, lonely woman who lost both her husband and her son in WWII. She has a close relationship with her daughter Madlyn Rhue and her diplomat son-in-law Ray Danton, but when Ray gets transferred to work in Japan, her world gets turned upside down. They refuse to leave her behind, and off she goes on an ocean liner to a foreign land. While on board, they meet Alec Guinness, the main businessman involved in Ray’s transfer. He’s extremely polite and charming, but Roz holds his race against him. In one of the most memorable scenes, he asks if his race is the reason behind her coldness, if perhaps she was somewhat affected by the war. “Yes, Mr. Japanese,” she answers, “I was somewhat affected by the war.” The movie’s screaming for a remake, set in the post-Iraq War time and with the Japanese character re-written to be someone Middle Eastern.
As interesting and moving as the growing friendship between Roz and Alec is, the great irony of the movie involves Madlyn and Ray’s characters. They profess to be so tolerant, chiding Mama Roz for her prejudice and telling her to put it all behind her because the war’s over. However, when they see the relationship developing, they decide tolerance is all well and good as long as it doesn’t hit home. It’s another aspect of the film that’s timeless, and that could easily be included in a remake.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, go out and rent it. I like it better and better the more times I watch it. I’ve already worn through my VHS copy and have invested in a DVD. It’s always interesting to get exposed to another culture, and in this movie you’ll get to learn many Japanese customs, see the beautiful architecture and designs, and even learn a bit of the language. “Don’t touch my mustache!” And, as Roz’s mind is opened to the Japanese culture, Alec learns about the Jewish customs. In one adorable scene, Alec hosts her for tea. In her kimono, Roz raises her teacup and toasts, “Kampai, Mr. Assano.” Alec responds with his sly smile and his shy, tilted head, “L’Chayim, Mrs. Jacoby.” If you want to, you can criticize this movie for taping up Alec Guinness’s eyes and making Rosalind Russell add a Jewish lilt to her sentences. But with such heartwarming performances and a story that makes you cry no matter how much you’re determined not to, why would you harp on those details?
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
Now that it’s out of the way, let’s enjoy the movie. Even though they were miscast, both Roz and Alec are as good as they possibly can be. Their shortcomings are not either of their faults. Alec masters the mannerisms of a polite Japanese businessman: bowing, closing his eyes slightly when he’s hurt, and turning his feelings inward. Roz lays on a thick layer of guilt when talking to her children and personifies a remark her character knows to be true: “Foreigners are very sensitive people.” It’s not really a surprise that two great pros give two great performances, but every time you watch this movie, you’ll get more out of it.
The story of A Majority of One is fascinating and timeless. Very simply, it’s about prejudice. Rosalind Russell is a middle-aged, lonely woman who lost both her husband and her son in WWII. She has a close relationship with her daughter Madlyn Rhue and her diplomat son-in-law Ray Danton, but when Ray gets transferred to work in Japan, her world gets turned upside down. They refuse to leave her behind, and off she goes on an ocean liner to a foreign land. While on board, they meet Alec Guinness, the main businessman involved in Ray’s transfer. He’s extremely polite and charming, but Roz holds his race against him. In one of the most memorable scenes, he asks if his race is the reason behind her coldness, if perhaps she was somewhat affected by the war. “Yes, Mr. Japanese,” she answers, “I was somewhat affected by the war.” The movie’s screaming for a remake, set in the post-Iraq War time and with the Japanese character re-written to be someone Middle Eastern.
As interesting and moving as the growing friendship between Roz and Alec is, the great irony of the movie involves Madlyn and Ray’s characters. They profess to be so tolerant, chiding Mama Roz for her prejudice and telling her to put it all behind her because the war’s over. However, when they see the relationship developing, they decide tolerance is all well and good as long as it doesn’t hit home. It’s another aspect of the film that’s timeless, and that could easily be included in a remake.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, go out and rent it. I like it better and better the more times I watch it. I’ve already worn through my VHS copy and have invested in a DVD. It’s always interesting to get exposed to another culture, and in this movie you’ll get to learn many Japanese customs, see the beautiful architecture and designs, and even learn a bit of the language. “Don’t touch my mustache!” And, as Roz’s mind is opened to the Japanese culture, Alec learns about the Jewish customs. In one adorable scene, Alec hosts her for tea. In her kimono, Roz raises her teacup and toasts, “Kampai, Mr. Assano.” Alec responds with his sly smile and his shy, tilted head, “L’Chayim, Mrs. Jacoby.” If you want to, you can criticize this movie for taping up Alec Guinness’s eyes and making Rosalind Russell add a Jewish lilt to her sentences. But with such heartwarming performances and a story that makes you cry no matter how much you’re determined not to, why would you harp on those details?
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Comedic Screenplay of 1961
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Actor: Sir Alec Guinness
Best Actress: Rosalind Russell