This pair of gentle yet witty and inventive comedies from the director of The Neighbour's Wife and Mine typify both the formal experimentation of early Japanese sound cinema and the social milieux that Shochiku tended to depict. 'Virtually plotless, and feeling more like comic sketches than fully developed stories,' writes Arthur Nolletti, Jr, 'these light comedies, or farces, take a wholly trivial matter (often a socially embarrassing situation) and use it as a springboard for a succession of gags.' Much of the films' distinction comes from the wit of Gosho's direction, the imaginative use of the new sound technology and the charm of the acting, particularly of the heroines (Kinuyo Tanaka in Bride; Hiroko Kawasaki in Groom). Yet in both films, Gosho finds room for some shrewd observation of character and environment, subtly exploring the values and assumptions of the suburban petit bourgeoisie.
Credits
The Bride Talks in Her Sleep Cast
| Name |
Character |
|
Chôko Iida
He was 35, 75 years old when he died
|
as Neighbor |
|
Yumeko Aizome
She was 17, 86 years old when she died
|
as Natsuko, dancer |
|
Tatsuo Saitô
He was 30, 65 years old when he died
|
as Saida |
|
Reikô Tani
|
as Hiyama |
|
Kinuyo Tanaka
She was 22, 66 years old when she died
|
as Haruko, bride |
|
Sumiko Mizukubo
She was 16, now 108 years old
|
as Waitress |
|
Reikichi Kawamura
He was 35, 55 years old when he died
|
as Neighbor's husband |
|
Tokuji Kobayashi
He was 31, 63 years old when he died
|
as Komura |
|
Takeshi Sakamoto
He was 33, 74 years old when he died
|
as Thief |
|
Ureo Egawa
He was 30, 68 years old when he died
|
as Enatsu |
The Bride Talks in Her Sleep Crew
| Name |
Department |
|
Akira Fushimi as Writer. He was 32 (70) years old when He died
|
Writing |
|
Heinosuke Gosho as Director. He was 30 (79) years old when He died
|
Directing |
