Classic Japanese Cinema Discussion Thread

Hi there MDF  Finally catching up having been off line for a couple of weeks, Great to see your review of Yûzô Kawashima's film , a marvellous director a dark humourist, his biting satires are wonderful entertainment. Sadly  despite a prolific career, it is impossible to track down much of his work, I treasure the handful of his films I have in my collection, most recently adding, Kashima ari , Room to Let (1959) my fav. The Graceful Brute (1962)

Thanks for your glowing recommendation/review of Red Pier (1958). I mentioned a film here a few months back The Velvet Hustler (1968) also from Toshio Masuda , a stylish music filled crime action tale ,  Apparently it was loosely based on his earlier film Red Pier.  I also greatly enjoyed Akai hankachi (1964) recently which is a tremendously atmospheric crime tale set in the port city of Yokohama, once again music is a feature, it was the directors biggest commercial success.  (pic below, Yûjirô Ishihara )

Interesting to note that director Toshio Masuda recently turned 91, a living legend...!