Gambler and the Princess (1959)
A classic Japanese period drama from Daiei Film, directed by the masterful Kenji Misumi and starring screen legend Kazuo Hasegawa.
Gambler and the Princess - Movie Information
- Original Title: かげろう笠
- Release Year: 1959
- Directed by: Kenji Misumi
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 28, 1959 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Kagerô-gasa (JP)
- Production Companies: Daiei Film
- Production Countries: Japan
Gambler and the Princess - Plot
Film directed by Kenji Misumi.
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Gambler and the Princess - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kenji Misumi
Main Cast
- Kazuo Hasegawa
- Kyōko Kagawa
- Michiyo Aratama
- Ganjirō Nakamura II
- Osamu Abe
- Kōichi Aihara
- Ichirō Amano
- Shinobu Araki
- Okuzan Asao
- Saburo Date
Producers
- Nobuo Miura
Gambler and the Princess - FAQs
What is Gambler and the Princess about?
Gambler and the Princess is a 1959 Japanese period film directed by Kenji Misumi. It follows Yatarô, a wandering gambler, and Princess Kiku, weaving together themes of loyalty, fate, and social contrast that were hallmarks of Daiei Film's acclaimed jidaigeki productions of the era.
Who directed Gambler and the Princess?
Kenji Misumi helmed the film. One of Japan's most celebrated directors of period dramas, Misumi is best known for the Zatoichi series and Lone Wolf and Cub. His precise visual style and mastery of samurai cinema made him a defining voice at Daiei Film throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Who are the main actors in Gambler and the Princess?
The film stars Kazuo Hasegawa as the gambler Yatarô and Kyōko Kagawa as Princess Kiku. Michiyo Aratama and Ganjirō Nakamura II round out the principal cast. Hasegawa was one of Japan's biggest screen stars, and Kagawa a celebrated actress of the golden age of Japanese cinema.
Is Gambler and the Princess worth watching?
For fans of classic Japanese cinema, absolutely. The combination of Kenji Misumi's assured direction, Kazuo Hasegawa's charismatic lead performance, and Daiei Film's high production values makes this a compelling example of late-1950s jidaigeki filmmaking. It's a rewarding watch for anyone drawn to the genre.
What is the original Japanese title of this film?
The original Japanese title is かげろう笠, romanized as Kagerô-gasa. The title evokes imagery of a heat-haze (kagerô) and a traditional straw hat (kasa), suggesting themes of transience and disguise that are central to the film's period drama atmosphere.
When was Gambler and the Princess released?
Gambler and the Princess hit Japanese screens on January 28, 1959. It was produced by Daiei Film, the renowned studio behind many of Japan's most celebrated period films of the postwar era, and released during a remarkably fertile period for the studio's jidaigeki output.
How long is Gambler and the Princess?
The film runs for 87 minutes — a tight, focused runtime typical of Daiei Film's genre productions of the late 1950s. Misumi was known for his economical storytelling, and this compact length keeps the narrative brisk and engaging without sacrificing atmosphere or character development.
What studio produced Gambler and the Princess?
Gambler and the Princess was produced by Daiei Film, one of Japan's most prestigious studios during the golden age of Japanese cinema. Daiei was home to landmark works like Rashomon and the Zatoichi series, renowned for its high-quality jidaigeki period dramas throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
More About Gambler and the Princess
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