Well, as the year draws to a close, we see the last film release of the year. Madame Butterfly was released on this day in 1932 and was Cary Grant's 7th full length film.
Synopsis:
Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton (Cary Grant) and Lieutenant Barton (Charlie Ruggles) are two American Naval officers onshore in Japan.
At a gathering, Pinkerton meets Cho-Cho San (Sylvia Sidney), a beautiful Japanese maiden who is about to become a Geisha.
She disgraces her family by accepting Pinkerton's love to become his bride. Although she takes her marriage vows seriously, theirs are not truly bound with love.
After the "honeymoon" is over, Pinkerton returns to the States with the fleet, with Cho-Cho San, whom Pinkerton has nicknamed "Butterfly," remaining in Japan, where she keeps his home until he returns. Three years pass. During that time, Cho-Cho San, has given birth to a son she names "Trouble" (Philip Horomato). She is still confident that someday her husband will return to her. But what has happened to Pinkerton during that time?
He has married his fiancé, an American girl named Adelaide (Sheila Terry), whom he intends on taking with him to Japan.
The Japanese censor cut a scene where Cary Grant and Sylvia Sidney share an embrace, because Miss Sidney's elbow was exposed.
Gary Cooper was originally slated for the role of Lieutenant Pinkerton.
When the US Navy returns to Tokyo Bay/Yokohama, mountains are seen rising from the sea. There are no mountains in that area.
Sylvia Sidney ... Cho-Cho San
Cary Grant ... Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton
Charles Ruggles ... Lt. Barton
Irving Pichel ... Yomadori
Helen Jerome Eddy ... Cho-Cho's mother
Edmund Breese ... Cho-Cho's grandfather
Louise Carter ... Suzuki
Sándor Kállay ... Goro
Judith Vosselli ... Madame Goro
Sheila Terry ... Mrs. Pinkerton
Dorothy Libaire ... Peach Blossom
Berton Churchill ... American Consul
Philip Horomato ... Trouble
Did You Know?
Gary Cooper was originally slated for the role of Lieutenant Pinkerton.
When the US Navy returns to Tokyo Bay/Yokohama, mountains are seen rising from the sea. There are no mountains in that area.
The story is based on Puccini's opera of the same title.
Cast:
On set with Sylvia Sidney.
Sylvia Sidney ... Cho-Cho San
Cary Grant ... Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton
Charles Ruggles ... Lt. Barton
Irving Pichel ... Yomadori
Helen Jerome Eddy ... Cho-Cho's mother
Edmund Breese ... Cho-Cho's grandfather
Louise Carter ... Suzuki
Sándor Kállay ... Goro
Judith Vosselli ... Madame Goro
Sheila Terry ... Mrs. Pinkerton
Dorothy Libaire ... Peach Blossom
Berton Churchill ... American Consul
Philip Horomato ... Trouble
Lobby Cards and Posters:
Directed by Marion Gering.
Distributed by Paramount Publix.
Running time: 86 minutes.
