"The natives're going to learn democracy if I have to shoot everyONE of'em

[UTUSN]

from "Teahouse of the August Moon."

The blowhard general (Paul ____) just said, "My mission is to teach these natives democracy, and they are going to learn democracy if I have to SHOOT EVERY ONE OF THEM!"

Seems like we could have avoided a lot of our current problems if we had studied up on what's been said and done before. Destined to repeat, and stuff.

[UTUSN]

1. Paul FORD as Colonel PURDY

*******QUOTE*******

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049830/plotsummary

Plot Summary for
The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956)
A satire on America's very own drive of a world changer: One year after world war ii, Captain Fisby is sent to the village Tobiki in Okinawa to teach the people democracy. First step is to build a school - but the witty folks know what they really want. They tell him about their culture and traditions - and persuade him to build something they really want: a teahouse. Fisby has a hard time to break this to his superiors.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049830/

Complete credited cast:
Marlon Brando .... Sakini
Glenn Ford .... Capt. Fisby
Machiko Kyô .... Lotus Blossom (as Machiko Kyo)
Eddie Albert .... Capt. McLean
Paul Ford .... Col. Wainwright Purdy III
Jun Negami .... Mr. Seiko
Nijiko Kiyokawa .... Miss Higa Jiga
Mitsuko Sawamura .... Little Girl
Harry Morgan .... Sgt. Gregovich (as Henry 'Harry' Morgan)
(more)


Trivia: Production began with Louis Calhern playing Col. Purdy, but Calhern died after more than a month of filming. His scenes were reshot with Paul Ford. (more)

********UNQUOTE*******

[Generic Other]

2. Good quote

Disgraceful performance by white guy Marlon Brando disguised as Asian with help of buck teeth and tape on eyes.

Solly, I no likee dat movie.

[UTUSN]

3. I Know. But the Perspicacy of the Quote & Premise Ain't Dated

One of the reviews says that the popularity of the play/movie waned in the '70s, "when the stereotypes" as demeaning became clear, but it also said BRANDO spent 3 months doing his Method studying of the culture and mannerisms. That said, how is the tape different from the cottonballs in Godfather?


*******QUOTE*******

http://www.enotes.com/teahouse-august/

.... A young military officer, Captain Fisby, is assigned to carry out' 'Plan B" in a tiny Okmawan village, to begin the process of Americanization ....

Much of the comedy derives from the inability of American military personnel to understand local culture and tradition.

********UNQUOTE*******