Just like a bird!
How many did you get, sir?
He got two more!
-Gruver got two more!
-Nice going there, sir!
Now let`s try the other lung. Breathe.
Hi, padre.
Two more MlGs today l hear, Lloyd.
Yeah, that`s it. You can put it on.
Okay.
Well, Ace, you`ve had it.
-Say what?
-You`re through flying, for a while anyway.
No, nothing wrong with me
a little bottle of beer isn`t going to fix up.
Give him a bottle of beer
and send him back out.
Look, now,
just don`t get yourself excited here.
Don`t get pale, Gruver.
l was just giving you a rib.
But you could use some sleep.
Yeah, l could use a little nice Korean sleep.
Better than that.
You`re going to Japan.
-l`m going to Japan? What for?
-Why not?
Wouldn`t you like to tango
with one of those beautiful Japanese dolls?
lf it`s your prescription, Doc,
then l`ll certainly work at it the best l can.
You`re going to Kobe.
Kelly has your orders.
What in the world am l going to do in Kobe?
lt`s a special request
of General Webster himself.
Then this has all been pre-arranged.
Pre-arranged? Demanded.
Why shouldn`t a three-star general
look out for a four-star general`s son?
Now don`t be getting on my back.
l ain`t bucking for favors.
l know you`re not. l was just kidding.
-l`ll see you, Doc. Thanks.
-Could l have a word with you, Gruver?
Yeah, l`ll bet you l know what the word is.
K-E-L-L-Y. ls that true or false?
He`s got permission to go back
and marry that Japanese girl.
l told him he can`t take her
back to the States.
l explained the law in detail myself.
But there`s no law
which says he can`t marry her.
And he`s appealed to his congressman.
-His congressman?
-l wish you`d talk to him.
After all, he is one of your men.
You`re the only human being he looks up to.
Now listen....
l`ll tell you something.
That boy don`t look up to anybody.
He has been promoted four times
and busted right back again.
Yeah, my congressman.
Shocking, ain`t it, Major?
Chaplain says, ``Don`t marry the girl.``
Colonel says, ``Don`t marry the girl.``
You say, ``Don`t marry the girl.``
Congressman says,
``You marry that girl, Kelly.``
What can l do?
l`ll tell you what.
You can go home
and marry your congressman.
You`d be better off.
Give me more coffee.
Yes, sir.
Hear you bagged two more today, Major.
-Yes.
-How was it up there?
lt was splendid.
What`s the matter? What happened?
There was a guy with a face
in one of those planes today.
There was a guy with a face
in all the other seven you shot down.
Yeah.
That`s exactly what l`ve been thinking about.
You can stop thinking.
You got a very well-written contract here.
General Webster`s had you assigned to
the lnter-Service Aviation Board over there.
Which means you`ve got
practically nothing to do...
except, of course,
marry the General`s daughter...
who is arriving in Kobe tomorrow.
You mean, Eileen--
That`s right. General`s wife
and daughter both, from Tulsa.
-Listen, don`t fool me now.
-l`m not fooling, Major.
You`re not supposed to know
anything about it. Big surprise.
-Eileen`s coming to Kobe.
-Yeah.
General Webster arranges it for you
to marry his daughter.
My congressman arranges it for me
to marry my girl.
Generals for the officers,
congressmen for the peasants.
Listen, l`m glad you brought that up, boy.
Because l think there`s a little bit
of difference that we ought to talk about.
What do you mean?
Well, now, listen.
l never did show you a picture of my girl,
did l, Kelly?
No.
l`m gonna show you a picture of a girl.
lt happens to be my girl,
but she`s American.
And l want you to take a long look at her...
because l believe that maybe you`ve forgot
what an American girl looks like.
This girl l`m going to show to you...
is first of all an American girl...
a girl with fine character...
a girl with good background...
good education, good family, good blood.
l`ve known this girl
since l was about that high.
Our families are very close.
l`ve been engaged to this girl
for a long time, Kelly.
Now, she`s a girl of unusual character...
and l`d like you to take a look at her,
a close look, and tell me what you think.
Tell me what your feeling is.
-Kind of beat-up, ain`t she?
-l beg your pardon?
No, the beat-up one`s her mother, you idiot.
Here`s Eileen now. Wait.
That`s.... Now.
Boy, she sure does something wicked
to a bathing suit.
She has an enormous capacity
to fulfill a bathing suit.
-l can see that.
-That`s enough.
Listen, l`m just,
you know, showing it to you...
but all kidding aside,
the reason l want to show you this girl--
-You ever seen Katsumi?
-Where`s that?
lt`s not a ``Where`s that?``
That`s the girl l`m marrying.
No, l mean, l don`t know Japanese names.
That`s all right. Forget it.
-Well?
-Yeah.
Looks like a bright girl.
She`s a whole lot brighter than me.
That ain`t too hard to do, you know.
Listen, Kelly,
l want to say something seriously to you.
Don`t you think you`re taking a risk
in marrying this Japanese girl?
Risks don`t scare me any.
Look, Major, the Army, the Air Force,
and the State Department...
have all ganged up
to keep me from getting married.
Hold on, Kelly. l mean,
what do you mean, ``ganged up``?
Here, look at these pamphlets.
``Think it over, Americans.
``Things you are required to know and do
before marrying Orientals.``
Here`s another piece of garbage.
``But will your family accept her?``
-Will they, Kelly?
-l ain`t got any family.
Listen, Kelly, l haven`t got
anything against this girl of yours.
l haven`t got anything
against the Japanese anymore.
l mean, not really.
But, you know, when....
l just don`t understand
how a normal, average American....
l mean, let`s put it this way...
l think even your friends are gonna
put you down if you marry this girl.
lf the friends l got are that kind,
they won`t be friends of mine much longer.
Look, Major...
l`m gonna marry my girl if l have to give up
my American citizenship to do it.
Kelly, you stupid ignorant slob!
l mean, go ahead and marry
this slant-eyed runt if you want to.
-lt`ll serve you right.
-Wait a minute. Don`t talk to me that way!
l won`t take that from you or anybody else!
l`m sorry, Kelly.
l`m sorry.
l`m just blowing my stack a little today.
But, boy, l mean it.
l want to tell you, when you tell me that
you`re gonna give up your citizenship...
for a girl, l mean, any girl...
l think you`re nuts.
-l mean, l think you`re crazy.
-l am crazy.
l`m in-love crazy.
l think you`re going to cut your throat
and l`d just hate to see you do it.
And l mean this with all sincerity.
Maybe that`s because you don`t feel
as strong about your girl as l do mine.
There`s your orders, Major.
See you on the plane.
Okay.
We`re coming in, Major.
-There`s the inland sea. Beautiful, ain`t it?
-Yeah.
Boy, it sure is nice scenery out there.
That`s Kobe over there.
You see it, with all the docks?
You know, what you`re looking at
really is three cities running together.
There`s Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto.
-They got kabuki there.
-What`s kabuki?
You never heard of kabuki theater?
-No.
-All men, no dames.
-That`s going to be dull, isn`t it?
-l don`t know.
lf it`s all dames you want,
l think we`re going to get there in about....
Yep. Look down there.
See that little park with the little lakes
around it? That`s Matsubayashi.
-Where?
-Right down there.
-You see it?
-Yeah.
The Matsubayashi girls
are the most famous girls in Japan.
You know, they sing, they dance,
they act all the parts, no men.
Katsumi knows all the actresses.
She`s a movie fan or something.
Listen, you`re just blowing your top
about seeing Katsumi, aren`t you?
-Carrying on.
-She`s my girl, Major.
-Well, G.G., good to see you.
-So long, Lloyd.
-Lots of luck to you.
-Good enough. Thank you. Bye-bye.
Lloyd, here we are!
-Come on.
-Hey, there!
-Don`t forget to act surprised.
-Yeah.
Hi, there! Hot dog!
Won`t he be surprised!
-Major?
-Yeah.
How about being my best man?
Now, listen, Kelly,
l told you that l`m against this marriage.
lt would mean a lot to me.
What do you say, Major?
Okay.
Consul`s office, 10:00, Saturday.
Well, come on, honey. Hurry up.
Well, hello! Come here, you!
-You`re good--
-Bless your heart!
Certainly good to see you.
Hi, sir. Nice to see you.
l was getting off the plane.
l said, ``There`s General Webster.
``But who is that good-looking woman?``
Listen, tell me about Eileen. How is she?
She finds Tulsa terribly dull
without you, Lloyd.
Well, you know,
l wish she could have come along.
-You couldn`t expect us to bring her here.
-l know that--
You`ll stay at the hotel with us at first.
Later, you`ll be stationed at the field.
l see.
Come on, let`s go. You get in first.
-No, you go ahead.
-You get in.
-No, you got--
-Go on. Get in!
Ladies first. What`s the matter with you?
Hi, Lloyd.
You devil.
Come here.
l`m glad to see you, darling.
l forgot what an ugly girl you got here.
Lloyd, she`s not ugly. She`s a beautiful girl.
What are you saying? She`s the ugliest girl
l ever saw. Come here, you.
And that dress, l think it`s terrible.
lt just goes in and out....
-That`s awful.
-lt`s meant to go in and out.
l go in and out.
Well, we`ll talk about that later.
Send Maj. Gruver`s luggage
up to his room, will you?
That`s beautiful, isn`t it?
-Are there any rules against it?
-There are no rules against it.
-lt`s understood--
-l thought the club would be honored!
Please, Mike, let`s go.
-What`s she doing here?
-Mother!
lsn`t she with that young officer?
You know, Kobe`s a recreation center.
That`s right, dear.
lt degrades the uniform.
lt`s out-and-out fraternization.
-Mother, she`s beautiful.
-All the more reason. Mark?
-Col. Crawford?
-Yes, sir?
-Let`s get out of this clip joint.
-Just a minute, Capt. Bailey.
What`s the trouble?
l didn`t mean to bother you
with this, General.
But Capt. Bailey here
is wanting to take her into the club.
General Webster, sir.
This young lady
is one of Japan`s most famous dancers.
She`s no ordinary....
Yes, l understand.
Even so, don`t you realize
this club is only for American personnel?
Now...
we`ve been pretty easy
about fraternization in this area...
even though there are
very strict orders against it.
But when an officer
who should be an example....
Am l to understand, sir...
that you personally refuse to allow me
to take this young lady into the club?
l understand how you feel, Captain,
and l`m very embarrassed.
-But l`m sorry.
-Thank you.
Thank you, sir!
Don`t you know that there`s such a thing
as insolence through manner?
Thank you, sir.
Well, come on in, boys.
Eileen has to change.
-Eileen`s taking you to the kabuki tonight.
-Good.
We met Mr. Nakamura, the head actor,
and he invited her to come.
lsn`t that the place
where there are no dames...
-and the men play all the women`s parts?
-That`s right.
The way they do at Princeton.
Come on, Mark.
Gonna be fun. Come on, baby.
You bring your lunch?
Miss Eileen Webster.
Who`d you find there?
That`s Nakamura. He`s the one l met.
He`s very famous.
-That Nakamura?
-Yeah.
lt`s about a lady who turns into a lion.
He`s going....
She`s going to turn into a lion right here?
l want to see that.
l love you, Lloyd. l love you terribly.
l always have, and l guess l always will.
l love you, honey.
Awful glad you`re here, too.
Everybody acting like
nobody ever kisses a woman.
She wouldn`t be half so ugly if she didn`t
stick her face in that flour barrel.
She?
Well, whatever it was.
You got me.
He`s a male actress.
lt says here
they`ve been trained since childhood...
to have the grace of a woman,
and yet the power of a man.
My word.
My lord, that`s my father!
ls he man enough now for you, Lloyd?
ls that the same fellow?
All right, boy.
l am sure it must be very difficult...
to enjoy theater so different from your own.
-We found it fascinating.
-l am glad.
Kabuki is very old, isn`t it?
Some 300 years.
l find myself becoming intrigued
by everything in Japan.
l should be happy to help you
know my country better...
if at any time l can.
You did not enjoy the evening so much,
l fear, Maj. Gruver.
Yeah, l thought it was a fine play.
l thought you could use a Marilyn Monroe
here and there, you know.
Unfortunately, Miss Monroes were barred...
from kabuki in the 1 7th century.
l didn`t mean to sound corny.
l just didn`t know what to say about it.
Please, do not apologize.
l am great admirer of Miss Monroe...
myself.
That`s two of us. That`s you and me, boy.
No, don`t do it to me. l did real good.
Thank you very much.
-Fine art.
-Let`s go and see the garden.
Okay, you go on. l`ll take this.
That`s fine. Fine cooking. Very good.
Here you are, honey.
-No, thank you.
-Don`t care for any?
-Sit down, darling.
-You look awful pretty.
l`ve been doing a lot of thinking
with you away, Lloyd.
Answer me one thing.
-What`s that, honey?
-Why aren`t we married now?
-lsn`t that a silly question?
-No, not really.
You do a lot of wondering in Tulsa.
l suppose the Korean War
might have a little something to do with it.
Wasn`t Korea maybe convenient, Lloyd?
-Convenient?
-What l really mean is...
do l mean everything to you,
as you do to me?
Of course you do--
You see, l went to visit your mother
before l came here, there in Richmond.
My mother?
l was appalled at the loneliness
in which she lives...
and the way your father is content
to go off...
and leave her walled up within a circle
of friends while he plunges off to the war--
Honey, now, you just hold on a second.
You got to remember something.
My father`s a general, honey.
And besides that,
my mother wants to live that way.
-Don`t be ridiculous.
-What do you mean? Don`t tell me--
No woman wants to live any way except
body and soul with the man she loves.
You`ll never tuck me away
in the corner of some little town.
Go ahead and become the greatest general
in Air Force history, but love me, too.
But l do love you, baby, l do.
l guess all l`m trying to say is that...
and l really mean this, Lloyd...
if what you want is a family,
like our fathers have...
and promotion in the Air Force, and
position in society like our mothers have...
and you marry me
because l`m pretty and smart...
and have guts and will know the ropes...
then l don`t think
you ought to marry me, Lloyd.
l`m sorry.
l guess l`ve been thinking too much.
Yeah, l think you have been
thinking too much.
-Now, quit it.
-Okay.
l don`t know,
maybe things will turn out after all.
What do you mean, maybe?
Sure, it`s gonna turn out.
Just all that nonsense you talk about
every time we get together.
Nonsense? l hadn`t realized
it was nonsense.
Of course it is, honey.
Listen, it`s all very simple.
Now, lookit.
l want a wife and a family.
l want a home in America.
Every time l think of having a home like that,
l always think about it with a girl like you.
l mean, a girl with
a good Army background like my own.
What do you mean, ``a girl like me``?
l`m not a type. l`m me.
Lloyd, it`s me you`ve got to love.
Lloyd, haven`t you ever felt...
like grabbing me and hauling me off
to a shack somewhere?
What`s the matter with you?
You know better. Of course l have.
-Then what`s holding you back?
-Are you ever going to grow up, honey?
Don`t you know there`s a right time
and a wrong time to do things?
Don`t you realize
you have responsibilities to other people?
That you have a position to fulfill,
that you`re not alone in this world?
You defend yourself like a fort!
No matter how l defend myself, you have
to understand that l am not in a position...
to be hauling my fiance away
to a shack somewhere...
like a alley cat or something like that.
l wasn`t brought up that way.
You`ll do everything that`s expected of you?
l`m certainly going to try, l`ll tell you that.
l don`t expect you to marry me
just because it`s expected of you.
Listen, sometimes l look at you,
and l don`t understand you.
l don`t know what`s going on in your brain.
Sometimes, l don`t know who you are...
or what you`re all about.
Maybe you don`t. Maybe you never will.
-``...so long as ye both shall live?``
-l will.
Katsumi, ``Wilt thou have this man
to thy wedded husband...
``to live together after God`s ordinance
in the holiest state of matrimony?
``Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor
and keep him, in sickness and in health...
``and forsaking all others, keep thee only
unto him, so long as ye both shall live?``
-She will.
-She will.
``lf any man can show just cause why
they may not be lawfully joined together...
``let him now speak,
or else hereafter forever hold his peace.``
Do you realize you waive
all your legal rights in this marriage?
Look, l signed all the papers, didn`t l?
You`ll look after your wife on your own.
The Air Force is not responsible.
Yeah, l know. Romantic, ain`t it, Major?
Will you finish this ugly deed
and get it over?
l now pronounce you man and wife.
Sign over there.
Just a minute!
That`s it, Mrs. Kelly.
Just you and me now.
Where do we sign?
May as well witness this now, Major.
Yeah, all right.
lncidentally, it was an honor
meeting you, Maj. Gruver.
Thank you.
Tell me, Consul...
are all these ceremonies
conducted like that?
We do our best to prevent
as many as possible.
We make the paperwork so difficult,
a good many of them lose steam.
About how many Gls
have gone through this ceremony?
About 10,000.
Ten thousand?
Then you let a few slip by you, didn`t you?
A few, yes.
How`s your girl, Major?
Eileen?
l haven`t seen her in a couple days.
l`ve been moving in,
getting my things arranged.
She`s been hightailing it
with the brass, socializing.
Major...
ain`t you going to kiss the bride?
Sure l`m going to kiss the bride!
Yeah.
Sure.
Listen, l want you
to take good care of this boy, hear?
Here`s your ticket, honey. Don`t forget it.
Okay, boy.
Thanks, Major.
Took a lot of guts for you
to come here today.
Quit.
lf you want anybody taken care of,
or need a job done...
you West Point guys ain`t allowed
to do yourselves, l`m your man.
Hold it. l`m going to call on you.
-Come on. Let`s get a belt.
-All right.
-Nice to see you.
-How are you, Lloyd?
Just fine.
-That`s a pretty dress you got on.
-Thanks.
Lloyd, sit down, son.
All right.
-Thank you for coming over so promptly.
-That`s all right. l was darning my socks.
l don`t know exactly how to put this.
lt`s a little embarrassing, for me, that is.
l understand you were a witness
at a marriage yesterday...
between one of your men
and a Japanese girl.
Yeah, one man from my outfit in Korea.
You realize there`s an Army policy
to discourage all such marriages.
l think they couldn`t have been discouraged.
They`re very much in love.
l dare say.
However, the fact that you personally
seemed to sanction the marriage--
No. l didn`t mean to give
that impression at all.
l didn`t sanction it. As a matter of fact,
l tried to talk him out of it.
But, Lloyd, you did act as his witness.
As long as it`s going to be inevitable...
l thought l might try to make it
as pleasant as possible.
Don`t you see the position that puts me in?
Since l`m the Area Commander here, l--
No, you didn`t encourage this marriage, sir.
l believe l did all this on my own.
What do you mean, ``on your own,``
Lloyd, dear?
Everything you do reflects on the General.
After all, he is Eileen`s father.
l`m afraid this places me
in a position of incompetence...
when it comes to doing anything
to help my own men.
Let`s stop beating around the bush.
What`s wrong between you and Eileen?
You haven`t been to see her
for several days.
You talked about
being embarrassed, sir, before.
l`m embarrassed, too.
-What about?
-About my whole situation here.
l`m a pilot, sir. l was doing a job in Korea.
Unfinished job. Suddenly,
l`m pulled off that job and sent over here...
and plunked down at a desk
at this lnter-Service, whatever it is...
where, as far as l`m concerned,
there`s absolutely nothing to do.
All so as l can be with Eileen.
There`s nothing dishonest about it.
That is, if you plan to get married.
-l think l know how Lloyd feels.
-Do you plan to get married or not?
-Really, dear!
-l`m her mother. l want to know.
Mrs. Webster...
as of the moment,
Eileen isn`t too sure about it.
And l....
We know, Lloyd, dear. Now, look.
There`s evidently been some slight strain
between you two...
but don`t let it become too important.
This is Sunday night.
Why don`t you call her up...
and ask her out to dinner or something?
Mother, l found the dearest little shop at....
Hi, Lloyd.
Hello, Eileen.
Lloyd just came in to see you.
Yeah.
Listen, it`s Sunday night,
and l thought maybe...
you and l can go out
and catch a movie or something.
Feel like it?
l`m sorry, Lloyd.
l`m having dinner with some friends tonight.
What about tomorrow?
That`s booked, too, l`m afraid.
Looks as though
l`m holding some pretty tough cards.
What about next week?
Of course, Lloyd. Call me?
Okay.
Mrs. Webster, General.
Goodbye.
-Bye, Eileen.
-Bye, Lloyd.
Eileen! Why did you tell him
you were busy tonight?
Because l don`t want to see Lloyd Gruver
when you ask him to see me.
Besides...
l do have a date with that young Lieutenant
and his wife, from Fort Bragg.
Whole bunch of us.
l hope you don`t lose my man for me.
Boy, give me a martini, will you?
Nope, make it lemonade.
No, dog! Give me a scotch and soda.
Scotch and soda, sir.
There is such a thing as insolence
through manner, you know.
l hate to admit it,
but l guess that`s what l said.
l thought it sounded kind of strange...
coming from a guy
who shot down nine MlGs.
That`s kind of a reflex action.
l`m a West Point man, you know.
l guess it sneaks out sometimes.
Listen, Captain, what does a fellow do
around here after the sun goes down?
Why?
You on the loose?
Halfway.
Bring him another.
What part of the South are you from?
Almost any old place
that`s got an Army post on it.
l was all set to take the exams
at West Point...
and there was a teacher there...
who made me take a part in a school play.
They were doing
one of those Hungarian things by Molnr.
You never did hear a Hungarian play
played in a Southern accent, did you?
No, l`m afraid l missed that.
That`s a shame,
because l was awful good in it.
Anyhow, l suddenly didn`t want
to go to West Point...
and didn`t want to have anything
to do with it.
My mother come up to the school...
and she said, ``We always expected you
to go to the Point...
``like your father and his father before him.``
l told her....
l said l had an idea
about a whole different way of life.
What did she say to that?
She said something like:
``lf l ever once had that idea,
l shouldn`t let anything stop me.``
She couldn`t come right out and say,
``Don`t go to the Point.``
But l know what she meant.
Then, of course, my father flew up
from Texas and--
He put you straight?
No, he just looked at me and said:
``lf you don`t want to go to the Point,
don`t go to the Point.
``The unhappiest men l know are those...
``who are forced into something
they got no aptitude for.``
How did he force you to go to the Point?
That`s what l`m telling you.
He didn`t force me.
We just had a little talk,
and he flew back to Texas...
and l went on to the Point.
l see.
l`ll tell you something.
l never once had any regrets
about going to the Point.
Except, just lately...
l`ve had some old feeling come back on me.
l don`t know if l want to go on
in the Air Force and buck for a star...
and get married in the Webster family
and get swallowed up by all that.
l think maybe my old lady was right.
What does it all mean?
Eternal struggle, sex...
New York Yankees.
All right. Quit, now. Come on.
lsn`t that a nice-looking bridge?
Yeah, that`s the Bitchi-Bashi.
Say what?
The Bitchi-Bashi.
Bashi is Japanese for ``bridge.``
We call this particular one the Bitchi-Bashi...
because there`s so much lovely stuff
that goes over it.
Did you say stuff?
Brother, l said stuff.
Will you kindly tell me
what we`re standing in the bushes for?
Can`t touch it.
Why not?
You see, these girls that go over there
are the Matsubayashi girls.
They cross over there
on the way to the theater...
from those cells over there,
those dormitories.
That`s right. Somebody told me about that.
ls that anything going over there now?
-Come on. The goods are on display.
-Wait for me, buddy.
There`s Fumiko-san.
The one you saw me with.
-The little one in pink?
-Yeah, that`s the one!
You`re not going over there to say hello?
What, in public? A Matsubayashi girl?
Are you nuts?
-You take her to the officers` club.
-That`s for Americans.
Thought l could sneak her in there
without her being recognized.
-What happens if they catch them?
-lmmediate dismissal.
-No fooling?
-Yeah.
No Matsubayashi girl is allowed
to have dates of any kind.
You were dating her.
Yeah, well, l`m different.
-Get out of here.
-Like l told President Truman:
``Harry, you was wrong
when you sold the Marines short.``
l hate to be stuffy about this,
but you Air Force men won`t understand.
Lord!
The marines have got I`amour...
and these girls, they got fame and wealth
and bright lights...
-but they ain`t got I`amour.
-You got I`amour, haven`t you?
-What`s going on now?
-Hana-ogi`s coming.
-Who?
-Hana-ogi. She`s the top, number one.
Come on. Let`s go.
How come she`s dressed like that?
The tall ones play men`s parts, mostly.
They play women`s parts, too.
How do you do?
What do you say let`s see the show?
Come on, Ace.
l say, do you follow the plot?
Yeah, nothing wrong with the plot.
-You sure they`re coming back this way?
-Just keep yourself in check, son.
Am l nuts,
or is she the greatest thing l ever saw?
Whatever you`re thinking, forget it.
You ain`t going anyplace.
Yeah? How`s this for an introduction?
She`s coming along the walk
and l kind of walk on by...
and slip my arm around her, just cozy style.
What do you think of that?
l think we better go.
Major!
Hey, kiddo! How are you?
How`s everything?
Saw you at the show.
We been looking for you.
l want you to meet Capt. Bailey.
-This is Airman Kelly.
-How are you? Nice to meet you.
-How do you do, sir?
-How you been, boy?
Fine.
-Here`s Katsumi.
-Hello there, Katsumi.
Say something, kid.
lt is fine to see you among us tonight.
She`s speaking better English than you are.
She`s been taking English lessons,
and l`ve been studying a little Japanese.
Let`s hear you go.
l hope he can get rid of it, don`t you?
Means ``My feet are cold.``
She always laughs when l say that.
Listen, how you been?
How you getting along down there?
Just fine, Major.
We got a wonderful house
down by the canal.
Didn`t you tell me
Katsumi knows those Matsubayashi girls?
Sure. She`s a real fan.
Listen, l want you to do something for me.
l am trying in the worst way
to meet this Hana-ogi...
and l want you to ask her
if she will introduce me?
She says the rules are very strict,
but she`ll go over and ask her.
-She will ask her?
-Yeah.
Because l said to Truman,
when he came over to the house:
``Harry,`` l said,
``don`t ever sell the Air Force short.``
All right. Now you`re going
to see something.
Here comes Fumiko-san.
-Here comes Hana-ogi.
-l know it.
-You ain`t going to let me down. Go on.
-lt`s all right, Major.
How do, Miss Ogi?
You think you made the grade, Ace?
She gave me a nice little look there.
She sure did.
She says that Hana-ogi will not speak
to an American.
Why not?
We shot her brother and killed her father
with our bombs.
Oh, shoot. l didn`t do it.
Sure you did, Ace.
We all did.
Come on.
lf they`re so strict with you girls over there...
how come you go out with Mike on dates
and fool around?
lt is very bad of me...
but l cannot help myself.
He`s so tall!
He`s a big boy, all right.
l mean, there`s no fooling about that.
But listen...
what l really want to know is...
does this Hana-ogi ever go out on dates,
like you and Mike and....
No.
She is number-one girl.
Must be specially careful.
l want you to do me a favor. Will you do it?
When you go back
to the dormitory tonight...
l want you to tell Hana-ogi...
that Maj. Gruver would like
to meet her and....
Wait. Just a minute.
l just want to talk to her for a little while.
Will you do that for me?
Never happen!
Hana-ogi-san never speak men...
and with American, never happen.
Well, honey, l am here to tell you...
that it`s going to happen.
Pardon me, Miss Ogi.
l wonder if l could have your autograph?
Thank you very much.
How do you do, Miss Ogi?
Hi, Major.
l`ve been looking for you.
Hello, Mr. Kelly.
Wife says to be at the house tonight.
Now listen, l`ll tell you, boy, l`ve got a....
l have an engagement this evening
with a friend of mine.
Be there, bub. Hana-ogi`s coming.
Sir.
-Kelly!
-Be there early.
Hello.
You know where Joe Kelly lives?
Over there? You show me, will you?
How do you do?
-Hi, Ace.
-Kelly, is that you?
How are you, Alice?
How are you, Ace?
Nice to see you. Come in the house.
Wait a second.
Let me just take a check here.
-Did she come yet?
-No, not yet.
What did she say?
-Don`t ask me, son.
-Off with the shoes.
-You don`t wear shoes in a Japanese house.
-Okay, coming off. What about pants?
The room on your right.
-Where, here?
-That`s it.
Watch your head, Ace. This is it.
Listen, this is all right, boy.
This is cute. This is nice.
Sit down here. That`s the place of honor
in a Japanese house.
What`s this thing?
-This is an armrest.
-Armrest?
lt will be even better
when the rest of the chair gets here.
Hi, Katsumi darling. How are you?
Yeah.
lt is very nice to have you...
among us.
lt`s very nice to be among you, too.
l brought you a little couple of things
you can stick around the house.
Yeah, flowers.
You`ve made her very happy, Ace.
What has she got here?
We going to eat this or wear it? What is it?
This is a little towel that they serve
before a meal or a drink...
just a little refresher
for your hands and face.
That`s a good idea.
Wash them up.
Okay, clean ears. Do l pass, teacher?
Just dump it in the basket.
Yes, sir.
What`s this, an eyecup?
We`ve got to wash our eyes out, too?
No, that`s a cup for sake.
That`s a wine made out of rice.
-Rice? No fooling?
-Yeah, no fooling.
-Okay, l`ll try it.
-Taste it, you`ll see.
Feels warm.
That`s right, we heat it up before we serve it.
Katsumi, here`s to your health.
And Kelly, the very best to you.
-That`s all right, boy. Not bad.
-Told you, it`s wonderful.
-Aren`t you going to have anything?
-l was just going to say, you know...
there`s kind of a polite thing you do.
You take the cup
and you swish it around in the water...
and you pour some sake in it for her.
-Okay.
-That`s right.
-lt means, ``A little bit.``
-Little bit, all righty.
Hold on now, wait.
See? Didn`t hurt.
She`s going to get me under the table here
in five minutes, if she`s going like this.
She`ll keep pouring all night.
Katsumi, l pour for Gruver-san now.
You excuse me? l finish cooking.
You go ahead, darling. Go right ahead.
Okay.
-Present. Whiskey.
-Whiskey?
All right, darling.
Listen, boy, she`s just as cute as a bug.
You ain`t going to lose with her.
See what l mean, Ace?
l`m the happiest guy in the world.
You want to see the rest of the house?
Come on, l`ll show you.
This is the garden. Katsumi,
l`m showing him around the house.
The bathroom is back there.
We got a couple of extra rooms in here.
Would you like to see them?
What have you got here, boy? Oh, Lord.
We haven`t done anything with these yet,
but maybe someday, if we expand.
Listen, it`s really working out for you,
isn`t it, boy?
Everything perfect, except for
that rat of a colonel l`m assigned to.
You wouldn`t be talking about
a fellow named Crawford, would you?
That`s the guy.
He rides every guy around here...
who`s married to a Japanese girl.
Extra duty, everything.
He`s a rough carver.
There`s no getting around that.
So what do l care?
l come home to my girl and l forget it.
-Let`s go.
-Wait, listen, l forgot to ask you.
Does this Hana-ogi speak any English?
Because l`m going to be--
l don`t know.
Those girls sing in a lot of languages.
l guess she`ll be able to catch your drift.
You nasty boy, you.
Wait a minute, l`ve just got
to take a look at my grass, now.
l want to know. Are we going to be....
Are all four of us going to be together
all evening long?
Take it easy, Ace.
You`re going to blow a fuse.
Might be.
-Lord, what is wrong here?
-Watch your head, Ace.
Wonderful house, Kelly.
-Katsumi, you ready?
-Stoop-shouldered.
ln here? You`re going to have to change....
Hana-ogi-san.
This is a great day for our house.
How do you do, Miss Ogi?
Where are you going?
l`ve got to help Katsumi with the....
lt looks as though everybody`s run off
and left us alone here.
lt certainly was nice of you
to come over here this evening, Miss Ogi.
l was just tickled to death
when they told me you were coming over.
l`ll just sit down here.
Miss Ogi...
let me fix you a little drink.
To you.
That`s good.
Now, don`t tell me.
l know you`ve
got to slosh this around a little...
and get the dribble off,
and give it right back to you.
See, now you take that. Skoshi?
All right.
You know, l was surprised to find
they make that stuff out of rice.
We have rice back home in America.
Of course...
we just make rice pudding out of it.
We don`t drink it.
This is the first liquid rice l ever ran into.
Did anyone ever tell you, Miss Ogi,
that you`re a fine-looking woman?
l mean, real fine.
You`re even better looking
off the stage than you are on.
That`s true.
You get up there,
sing, dance, act, everything.
You`re all-around great.
l wonder, where did him and Katsumi....
l`m getting kind of hungry in here.
Look, Miss Ogi...
l`m not up too good
on Japanese ways of doing things...
and maybe l`m saying the wrong thing.
l mean, maybe my American manners
are embarrassing.
But l figure,
if you`ve come over here tonight...
maybe you were interested a little bit
in meeting me, too.
Now, maybe l`m wrong, but if l`m wrong...
then you`ve got to tell me.
Where do we go from here?
Because l don`t know what to say.
l`m running out of things to say.
My father was killed...
by American bomb dropped on my country.
You have been my enemy.
l have hated Americans.
l have thought they are savages.
There has been nothing but vengeance
in my heart.
There were an awful lot of Americans
that were killed, too.
l think it would be best
if we forgot about that.
You have been watching me on the bridge.
Watching me dance...
watching me as l go back to the dormitory.
But l have been watching you, too...
and you have not looked like a savage.
And when Katsumi-san told me
how gently you kissed her...
the day she became a bride...
how tenderly you kissed
my sweet little friend...
l realized the hate was of my own making.
That is why l came...
to ask you to forgive me...
for what l have been feeling.
Gruver-san, will you forgive me?
You make me feel like
an awful fool, Miss Ogi.
l really feel that l ought to...
ask you to forgive me
for some of the things that...
l`ve been thinking.
l come from the north of Japan.
And my father was a farmer...
and there were nine children.
And we were very poor.
There are too many people
in my crowded country.
l took the examination at Matsubayashi...
and now l am first dancer of all.
When l am too old to dance...
l will become head teacher.
My life is planned.
l am dedicated to Matsubayashi...
as you are dedicated
to American military life.
l have never been in love.
But l have dreamed...
and thought about it...
and waited.
The danger that lies ahead of us...
we must face now.
The danger of discovery, for both of us...
danger of weakness...
when it is over.
l will never fall in love again.
But l will love you, Ace-san...
if that is your desire.
Hello, how do you do?
Miss Webster.
Hello.
-Mr. Nakamura, how nice of you to come.
-lt is a great pleasure.
And may l say that you look
especially beautiful today?
Thank you. l haven`t seen
this month`s kabuki program.
l know. You see, l have been waiting.
Eileen.
-Mother, you remember Mr. Nakamura.
-How do you do, Mrs. Webster?
Yes, of course. Now listen, you two...
this party isn`t given especially for you.
You`ve got to circulate around...
and do more
to cement Japanese-American relations.
Mother, that`s exactly
what Mr. Nakamura and l are doing.
Nakamura-san,
my little girl wants your autograph.
-She admires you so.
-Of course.
-Will you please excuse me?
-Yes, of course.
Has Lloyd come yet?
Mother, how many weeks
are you going to keep on pretending?
Lloyd is not coming.
l`m absolutely furious at him.
How can he ignore the General`s invitation?
l had it delivered personally to his office.
l`m stuck with that Farrington woman.
Can you help me out?
There`s Crawford. Whenever he shows up,
there`s always something.
Can l speak to you alone
for a minute, General?
Major, do you have that list of the....
l want to see if the Williams were invited.
Yes, they have.
Waiter.
The reason l took it up with you personally
is because it concerns Maj. Gruver.
Now, we think he`s hooked on
to a Japanese dame--
Sorry, General, but this thing`s got me
all riled up.
Do you realize what it will mean
to the enlisted men in this area...
if they find out that their big hero,
Ace Gruver, is out--
l`ve known Major Gruver all his life.
l`m a close friend of his father`s.
l`m sure you must be wrong.
He was seen going into that house.
My men have been watching
a troublemaker named Kelly.
-He shacked up with another native girl--
-``Shacked up,`` Colonel?
Kelly`s married to a Japanese girl.
Maj. Gruver was the best man.
Seems quite natural to me
that he`d visit them.
How am l going to handle the situation?
Don`t handle it.
l trust Major Gruver implicitly.
General, is it all right with you
if l post an order...
to keep these officers from being seen...
with indigenous personnel?
Then if they are seen,
there`s something we can do about it.
All right.
Lloyd.
Look at you, Hana.
No one saw you come?
No, there`s no military personnel
around here...
except me.
-We must go to the tea ceremony.
-Yeah, l know.
Good afternoon.
This getting up and down`s likely to kill me.
You make such a production of everything.
The pleasure does not lie in the end itself.
lt`s the pleasure of all steps to that end.
l see.
-That you, Ace?
-Yeah, Kelly.
Come on in here.
l can`t right now.
He`d be surprised you come in this way.
He`d faint.
Just a little lower, Katsumi.
You always seem to be a little above it.
Yeah, that`s it.
-Kelly-san, now you get in tub?
-Okay, all right.
ls Hana-ogi coming over tonight?
Yeah, if she can get away.
We`re going to cook up
some fine St. Louis goulash...
with a little Memphis greens in there.
What are you doing tonight after dinner,
when Hana-ogi goes back to the theater?
Nothing.
How about playing poker
with Katsumi and me?
l`ll be delighted
to take your money and your pants.
This is the life, ain`t it, Ace?
There you are.
How do you do?
Listen, l got one word for you.
-What is that?
-Food.
Sayonara
Japanese goodbye
Whisper sayonara
Lover, don`t you cry
No more we stop to see
pretty cherry bIossom
No more we beneath the tree
Iooking at the sky
Sayonara
Sayonara
Goodbye
That`s the cutest thing l ever saw, honey.
l must go.
Good eating.
Are you going back
to the officer`s quarters tonight?
No, l think l`m going to just
fool around here.
What will you do all evening?
What am l going to do?
l`m going to get some beer...
some pretzels, some girls up here...
and have a little fun, for a change.
Good.
l don`t like you to be lonely.
Take care.
Come on in, Katsumi.
l`m sorry, Lloyd, l had to come.
lt`s important.
Hello, Eileen.
How are you?
Listen, sit down, will you?
l`m taking this stuff out of there,
just getting a little....
Go on, sit down here.
How are you?
-They`re after you, Lloyd.
-Who`s after me?
There`s a colonel. His name`s Crawford.
l know him.
He`s the one who`s riding Kelly.
This is Kelly`s house.
Yes, l know.
-You want to hear this, don`t you, Lloyd?
-Sure, l want to. Of course l do.
l overheard Colonel Crawford say
that he`s been having this house watched...
hoping to catch Kelly
at something irregular, l suppose.
Anyhow, that`s how l knew where it was.
Then they....
-They see me coming in and out of here.
-Yes.
l just felt that l had to tell you.
-There`s something that l feel that--
-l must go, Lloyd.
l just wanted to warn you
to be particularly careful about....
About what, honey?
About sticking strictly
to military regulations.
Lloyd, they`ll do anything
to hang something on you...
to keep you in line.
After all,
you`re the Air Force`s pinup boy, you know.
Colonel Crawford sounded
as if he was after blood.
More than anything else l could--
l must go now, Lloyd. Good luck.
Wait a minute, let me help put that on.
-Eileen, l know--
-Lloyd.
Lloyd, you`ve really thought seriously
about what you`re doing, haven`t you?
l think l have.
l hope so.
You have a brilliant record in the Air Force.
More people depend upon you
than you`ll ever know.
Before you throw all that
you`ve worked for away, Lloyd, be sure.
Please, be sure.
l don`t think if l had a million years
l could tell you how all this happened.
l`d better go before l lose all my charm.
Do you like this old, curious play?
Yeah, l`m beginning to get a kick out of it.
See that rope between the rocks?
That is a Shinto sign
showing they are married.
-What, the rocks?
-Yes.
They`ve been together so long...
our people thought
it was time they should get married.
They look well together, don`t you think?
Yeah, they make
a handsome-looking couple.
Do you like my country?
Were all these funny things here before,
when l came to Japan?
Yes.
Hello.
Hello there, Double Ugly. How are you?
To what do we owe the honor of this visit?
Laundry. Gonna put down the dirties
and pick up the cleans.
l hope you know what you`re doing.
This came in the office this morning.
Thought you`d like to see it.
``This is a routine reminder
of the recent orders issued by Camp Kobe.``
Quote: ``Any public display,
whatever, of affection...
``for a Japanese national
by a member of this command is forbidden.
``Officers should not even appear
on public streets...
``accompanied by
indigenous female personnel.`` Unquote.
Hooray for Christmas.
Come on, Ace, this is serious.
Everybody got one of these.
Listen, fool, Hana-ogi and l
are just as careful as we can be.
We never go anyplace where we`re gonna
be seen by anybody that matters.
We don`t even walk down the same street.
We just go out in the country
and fool around.
You never been to the country around here,
have you?
Awful pretty country around here. l mean it.
You know what l saw yesterday?
l saw two rocks that just got married.
You what?
l saw two rocks that got married.
And they looked very happy together, too.
l`ll bet they did.
They did.
lf you gonna be smart,
l`ll tell you what you do.
You get your little shoes shined,
you go out tonight...
because tonight is gonna be Tanabata.
Okay, what`s Tanabata?
You`re gonna sit
with your bare face hanging out...
and tell me you don`t know
what Tanabata is?
My word, boy.
l`m ashamed of you. l thought everybody
knew what Tanabata was.
Tanabata is the night of love.
You told me all about it one time.
You were telling me about Harry Truman...
and New York Yankees and sex...
and New York Yankees and Harry Truman
and sex.
l`ll see you.
Sex!
What have l done
to deserve such happiness?
l have seen this night of Tanabata
come and go many times...
but never before
have l understood what it meant.
Tanabata.
My heart is so full of love for you.
-Miss Webster?
-Yes?
Nakamura-san gets your note.
-Here is reply.
-Thank you.
He wishes if you will have dinner
with him and his guests.
Thank you very much.
They have a rather pleasant garden here,
Miss Webster.
Would you like to see it?
Yes, l think l would.
How beautiful.
What are you really afraid of, Miss Webster?
You don`t think it would enter
Major Gruver`s mind...
to marry a Japanese girl?
l don`t know.
Then permit me to reassure you.
l think Major Gruver is brave.
But not brave enough to face the censure...
that would result from such a marriage.
As for our famous, honored Hana-ogi...
there are many Japanese...
most of them, in fact...
who look upon marriage to an Occidental
with as much distaste...
as your people do to one of us.
l do not feel that way.
But then, l have had the privilege
of traveling in your country...
and knowing some great people there.
And l am especially conscious
at this moment...
that beauty is not confined to any one race.
Do not turn away, Miss Webster.
l am not...
necessarily making love to you.
l am only stating a very...
obvious fact.
May l see you again, Miss Webster...
and acquaint you with more Japan?
Of course.
l need to know more, much more...
about everything.
There she is.
Hello, honey.
Are you tired?
No, l just been lying here...
thinking about myself.
You know, l can`t believe l`m really here.
lt`s hard to believe that....
You know, it`s hard to believe
me being the same Lloyd Gruver...
that came over from Korea
just a little bit ago.
You know, l been thinking...
that all my life...
l been so busy...
snapping to, and giving orders,
and taking orders...
and being a general`s son
and doing the job...
and all that,
l just never took time to sit right down...
and you know,
think about what my reason for living is.
And l been spending
some afternoons here just...
being peaceful...
and easy and thinking.
And l believe for the first time...
l`m just beginning to understand...
what it`s all about...
what l really am, what l really want.
lt`s a nice feeling.
Yeah, come on in.
Ace, excuse me. l hate to bother you.
l just got the news.
You got what news?
l`m getting shipped back.
-You being shipped back where?
-Stateside.
l`ve been reassigned to a new duty station.
-Did you tell Katsumi yet?
-No.
Don`t tell her,
because maybe we can work something out.
What reason did he give you for it?
No reason. l know what it is.
Every guy on that list
is married to a Japanese girl.
l`m sorry, Major.
There`s nothing you can do.
We`re sending Kelly to the States Thursday,
and that`s that.
What about his wife, Colonel?
She stays here.
He knew he couldn`t take her back with him
when he married her.
Didn`t you?
That`s right.
You`d be busting up his home then,
you know.
l`m not busting up anything.
l admit Kelly`s been a pain in my side
for quite a while now.
Could you tell me why l didn`t have
the privilege of extending his tour of duty?
Don`t ask me, Major.
There`re lots of reasons for these things.
Anyway, it is an order.
And there`s nothing you can do about it...
even if you are a four-star general`s son.
Would it make any difference
if l told you my wife`s going to have a baby?
That`s tough, l admit.
Colonel, under these circumstances,
don`t you think that you`d be able...
to postpone this for a little while?
Maybe l could be transferred back to Korea.
No, you`re going home.
All the boys on this list, going home.
Where is your home?
That house by the canal.
l mean your real home.
That house by the canal.
Yeah, all right.
l`ve taken all the insubordination from you
l intend to.
Now, you listen to me, wise guy...
that house by the canal is off-limits
from now on.
Whole street`s off-limits.
You want a court-martial?
That mean l could stay in Japan?
-Come on.
-You`re shipping out of here on Thursday.
And don`t you try to help him.
You remember that house by the canal
is off-limits to all personnel.
Would you tell me, Colonel, just exactly
what you mean by that last remark?
That`s all l`m prepared to say at the minute...
except, you watch your step.
l don`t know
what else to say to you, General.
l`ve known this boy a long time...
and if he has to go back without Katsumi,
he`s gonna be in trouble.
l mean, that`s about it. That`s it.
What about his wife?
-l don`t know.
-And the baby?
So the Army lets them get married...
and then forces them
to desert their wives and babies.
That`s not fair, Eileen.
A boy away from home
for the first time, lonesome...
often falls in love
with the first girl he touches.
ln most cases, with a girl from the streets.
lt`s up to the service in some measure
to be fathers and mothers to these boys...
and try to head off these marriages.
But after they`re married
why should they be sent home?
The man`s being transferred
to a new duty station with many others.
Now, don`t ask me the reasons
for changes of duty.
There are thousands of them.
Lloyd said most of the men on this list
are married to Japanese girls.
That can`t be just a coincidence.
Why not? lt could easily be.
There have been lots of marriages.
Frankly, with some of these men...
l think they might welcome the transfer.
Why is that, sir?
There have been unfortunate aftermaths
to many of these marriages.
Recriminations, regrets.
A boy gets married impulsively...
then feels caught, doesn`t know how
to get out of it or what to do.
A change of duty gives them both
a chance to think it over.
To cool off.
l don`t mean to imply that`s the reason
these men are being transferred, but....
The whole thing`s...
a messy business.
General Webster, there`s no regret
in the case of Kelly and Katsumi.
You can have my word on that.
Three officers came to me today
with identical requests for their men.
lt`s not our policy to interfere with decisions
made by immediate commanding officers.
The basic structure of the military service...
would collapse if we started
doing things like that.
Your father would understand that,
even if you don`t.
Are you going to ask me
to make an exception of Kelly...
when l`ve refused these other men?
l am going to ask you to do that, sir.
You made an exception of me
when you brought me from Korea.
l`m afraid it`s a hopeless situation, Lloyd.
That`s the end of Joe Kelly.
You told me yourself
that Kelly`s past record was against him.
l couldn`t even use that.
Why does this mean so much to you, Lloyd?
Kelly`s from my outfit, Mrs. Webster.
l was his best man.
And l`m planning to marry
a Japanese girl myself.
Come into the other room, Eileen.
This is something for your father to handle.
No, Mrs. Webster, l don`t think it`s anything
for anybody to handle.
l`m sorry, Eileen.
Mrs. Webster.
Good afternoon, all.
l don`t think l`ll ever love anyone again
as much as l love Lloyd.
But l`ll tell you something
that`s rather ironic.
l once asked Lloyd
if he ever felt like grabbing me...
and hauling me off to a shack somewhere.
That`s just what he`s done, isn`t it?
Only it`s with somebody else.
Don`t go out, Eileen.
Stay and talk.
l`m sorry, Mother.
There`s only one person
l`d like to talk to at the moment...
and oddly enough, he`s Japanese.
Ace, l`ve been waiting for you.
Kelly, listen.
l just came from General Webster`s house...
-and there`s a whole big mess there.
-No good?
No. He didn`t go for it.
Matter of fact,
l think l even messed it up a little.
That figures.
-Did you tell Katsumi yet?
-No.
l`m chickening out fast.
Besides, she`s got her heart set
on something she planned for us tonight.
Wants us both to take the train to Osaka
and meet the girls at the puppet show.
Why spoil it?
Maybe l`ll tell her late tonight
when we`re alone.
Don`t give up on it.
l think there`s gonna be a way out of it.
-You think so?
-l do.
l don`t.
-l`ll see you, Ace.
-Hi, hon.
Tell Katsumi we`ll be there with bells.
Were you able to help?
-No. l wasn`t.
-How terrible.
l know this is hard, honey.
lt`s hard, but it`s not gonna last long.
The Army`s got to change that law next year
or the next one.
l mean, it just has to be. l`m sure of it.
As a matter of fact, l`m so sure of it
that l went downtown today...
and l signed some papers here...
that mean that you and l
are gonna get married.
-What`s the matter?
-We never spoke of marriage.
l know we didn`t, darling.
l know we didn`t.
l been going round and round with that...
every day for a long time.
And l didn`t feel l could speak about it
until now.
Now l can.
Of course, l won`t be able
to take you back to America...
but they`re bound to change
that ridiculous law soon.
And until then,
l`m gonna stay here with you.
l`m not stuck in the Air Force. l can resign.
Of course, l`m not trained
to do anything else...
but l`d find something.
We never spoke of marriage.
l know we didn`t, darling,
but we`re speaking of it now.
Do you remember the first night we talked?
l said there would be danger of weakness
when it is over.
Over? What are you talking about?
l am tempted.
With you, l could become a woman.
And a mother. And l could love you.
That`s right.
Do you think l haven`t thought about it?
Do you think l want
to become a lonely old woman...
who teaches dancing,
now that l have known you?
But it is no good.
You must know it, too.
No. l don`t know anything of the kind.
The way you talk about
leaving the Air Force...
finding some pitiful way of earning living...
-just to be here with your Japanese wife.
-Now, wait a minute.
l think we`re too far in this thing
to be talking like that.
Matsubayashi has been kind to me, Lloyd.
l am obligated to them.
No, you ain`t. You obligated to me.
They are my life.
l will bring shame to them, disgrace.
Lloyd, you know what l mean.
Yeah, l think l`m beginning
to know what you mean.
You mean you simply don`t love me enough
to go on through with it.
That`s what you mean, don`t you?
Why don`t you just come on out and say it?
lt is not what l mean.
l`m leaving for Tokyo in six days.
Matsubayashi is sending me.
You what?
With another troupe.
They have found out about us.
Any other girl, they would have dismissed,
but because they like me...
because they feel l am important to them,
they are being lenient.
l`m not gonna be lenient with you.
l want you to tell me now why Matsubayashi
means more to you than l do!
Lloyd, there`s something about myself...
l have not told you.
l have no right to marry anyone.
My father was very poor.
To save his other children...
he was forced to sell one of his daughters.
The man from the houses of Yoshiwara
came to him.
Because l was the oldest...
he agreed l should go with them.
Your father sold you?
Yes, but l was saved from starting this life...
by my best friend, Fumiko-san.
Her father paid money to free me...
and she brought me to Matsubayashi.
There, l not only earn my living...
l brought honor back to my family.
Matsubayashi has been kind to me.
They have trusted me.
l cannot leave them.
l cannot marry anyone.
Don`t you understand?
l don`t know.
l don`t know what to think.
l`ll kill you!
You ever do anything like this,
and l`ll kill you, understand?
-Get that straight, now! l`ll kill you.
-Wait a minute. Just take it easy, now.
Ace, look at this.
-lt fell out of her bag.
-What is it?
She was gonna have it done, too.
Tomorrow, by that quack doctor.
-What?
-For $8 she slashes her eyelids...
and sews them back up again.
Lots of these stupid little jerks have it done.
She was gonna surprise me.
Then l have good eyes. l fool everybody.
l look American, like Joe.
Will you tell that stupid dame
l love her the way she is?
l don`t want her changed!
Will you tell her l love her mouth
and her nose and her ears and her eyes...
just the way they are?
Tell her if she ever does
anything like that, l`ll....
-Wait a minute. Hold it.
-l want him be proud of me.
l`m sorry.
lf you want him to be proud of you,
you got to quit this stuff.
You want to be a good wife?
You`re making him unhappy doing that.
Tell him you`re sorry
and you won`t do it anymore.
Tell him that.
l so sorry.
Okay. Now we`re gonna
forget about that, all right?
l came over here tonight,
l thought we were gonna have a fish fry.
We were gonna have some fun,
dancing, yelling, and what do l find?
What`s gonna happen to us?
-Puppet show.
-Yeah, we had a surprise.
-You like?
-Sure, l do. Been looking forward to it.
-l know everybody tonight.
-Yeah.
We will be late.
Look...
the lover is leaving the city,
walk to the wood.
Don`t think of anything now.
Watch the play.
lt`s a tender story.
When gong sound, it is done.
And then she will bind her body.
-Bind her body?
-So that she won`t fall in an ugly position...
of dishonor when she dies.
-When she dies?
-Yes, shinju.
lt is custom for lovers...
to die together
when they can no longer face life.
lt is so beautiful.
Beautiful? They`re gonna die, aren`t they?
They will live in another world
on a beautiful lake...
floating always together...
like water lily.
Sure.
Kelly-san!
Something about soldiers
going through the house.
-That`s MPs boy.
-What happened? What`s wrong?
Get in the car.
-Go to Matsubayashi.
-Please tell me. l will not leave.
Get in the car. l`ll tell you later.
Matsubayashi.
Ed, look.
Look at that.
-You`re Maj. Gruver, aren`t you?
-That`s right.
Sorry, you`ll have to come with us.
Gen. Webster`s orders.
What right do you have
to board up his house?
He won`t be needing it anymore.
He`s shipping out Thursday.
Come on, Major.
You`ll hear from me, Kelly.
Come on, kid.
We`ll get in through the garden.
l got something to tell you.
You were seen in public with her tonight,
violating the orders of the area.
This has given me the right
to put you under arrest.
And, for your own sake,
l think l`d better do it.
You have anything to say?
Just as soon l`m out of this,
l`m going to be married...
and have a house of my own.
l`m afraid not.
l`m sorry, Lloyd, but it`s all settled.
The supervisor of the Matsubayashi
came to see me tonight.
The girl goes to Tokyo and you fly
to Randolph Field, day after tomorrow.
Here are your orders.
Until that time, you`re under house arrest.
You`re not to leave your quarters
until further notice.
l`m doing this because l feel
you`re not responsible at the moment.
After all, l`ve known your father for years.
Well, that`s all.
Did you see her?
No. l couldn`t even get near.
They`ve clamped down.
At the stage door
l couldn`t even see Fumiko-san.
l`ve got to see her.
l`m being shipped out of here tomorrow.
-Maj. Gruver?
-What is it?
-Would you do something for us?
-What do you want?
Airman Kelly`s disappeared.
No, that`s impossible.
l was with him just last night.
We know. He was scheduled to fly out
in a couple days...
but a special plane came,
and Col. Crawford told us to get him on it.
l took him to the airport at 1 2:50.
When the plane took off, Kelly wasn`t on it.
Figured you might know where he is.
How should l know?
His house has been boarded up, hasn`t it?
We know. Neighbors won`t talk to us.
We figure maybe they`re hiding him.
They`ll talk with you, Major.
Would you help us?
Would you give me one good reason
why l should?
We figured we`d give him a break.
We haven`t reported him as yet.
We could get him on another plane.
We might not have to turn him in
for desertion.
-Desertion?
-Yes, sir.
-l`ll go with you in a minute.
-Major?
The neighbors won`t talk if they see an MP.
-l`ll go with him.
-Thank you, sir.
Kelly, Gruver out here.
l think he`s in there.
l`m going on in.
You in there?
Oh, my God!
l`ll call the police, Ace.
Oh, God!
Go home!
Ace, there`s no police around.
We`d better get out of here.
Look.
Doesn`t look too good, boy.
Come on, take it easy.
We`re getting help, Ace.
-You okay, boy?
-Yeah, l`m fine. You all right?
Yeah.
Listen, l`m going to....
l want you to take care of everything.
Will you?
-Yeah, l`ll get it.
-Okay. l`ll see you later.
-Where`s Hana-ogi?
-Hana-ogi`s not here.
-l know she`s here.
-She is on her way Tokyo.
She wasn`t supposed to go to Tokyo
till next week.
-She went today.
-l don`t believe you.
-Where`s Hana-ogi?
-She`s gone.
-Where`s her room?
-She`s gone.
Listen, where`s her room?
Come here.
Hana-ogi really gone, Major.
l don`t believe you.
l give you my word.
You go now, too, Major.
lt`s over.
Listen, leave me alone a minute, will you?
The hoodlums who attacked you
weren`t all your Japanese neighbors.
Most were professional troublemakers
sent to your street...
to create an incident, specifically with you.
lf you`re important to those who hate us...
don`t you see how important you are to us?
Do you understand any of this, Lloyd?
l know how you feel.
lt was dreadful about your friend Kelly...
and his wife.
Must be hard to take.
l hate to tell you something else,
because it`s...
almost too grotesque...
almost unforgivable in your eyes, l imagine.
l got word today...
that there`s a law being passed
in a month or two...
that will make it possible
for men like Kelly...
to take their Japanese brides
back to the States.
-That can`t be true, General.
-lt happens to be true, Lloyd.
Listen...
how do you get the guts to come here
and tell me that?
lt takes time to get laws passed, Lloyd.
People have died in this world needlessly,
waiting for them.
lt`s harder to take
when it hits you personally.
You`re lost. You`re confused.
Don`t you think it`s time you got back
to the main stream of your life?
Back to your roots?
What you were born for, and raised for?
You`ll feel better when you get back home,
back to your work.
Appreciate you coming over, General.
Take me to the airport, Mike.
That must be him.
Would you hold it so we can get a picture?
-Where would you like me? Right here?
-What about there? Yeah.
Smile, please.
lsn`t that Ace Gruver?
Looks like him.
Sir?
Excuse me, aren`t you Maj. Gruver?
Ace Gruver?
-Yes, that`s right.
-We`re from Stars and Stripes.
What are you doing in Tokyo?
l`m just passing through, boys.
-Just seeing the sights?
-That`s right.
Listen, l`m in a hurry.
You mind if l excuse myself?
-You`re excused.
-Sorry.
Hello, Hana-ogi.
l`m going back to America on Friday...
and l probably won`t...
get back in Japan again.
And before l go, there was just...
one thing l wanted to know.
You remember one time you said to me...
that you could love me...
and be a wife, and a mother?
l remember.
You said that since you`d known me,
you`d been afraid...
of being a lonely old woman,
teaching dancing.
Remember that?
l remember.
Did you mean that
when you said it, Hana-ogi?
l meant it.
lt is already happening.
Love has gone out of my work, out of me.
Lloyd, please go now.
This will only bring pain and trouble.
You and l are going to have more trouble...
than we thought of having in our lives...
unless you`re absolutely honest
with yourself.
Please, Lloyd, can`t we talk about this later?
There isn`t going to be any later.
There`s only going to be right now.
Excuse me, Mother.
-l must return this robe.
-Listen to me.
l want to know.
Do you love me, or don`t you?
Because if you don`t...
then l`m going to have to find a way
to live with it.
-And if you do, then--
-Please, Lloyd.
Wait a minute.
l don`t want you to tell me anything more...
or anything less than you feel
in the very deepest part of you...
because what you answer to me now
is going to affect us for the rest of our lives.
Do you love me, Hana-ogi,
or don`t you love me?
l`m so frightened and confused.
l cannot think.
-l cannot even understand your thinking.
-l`m not thinking!
For the first time in my life,
l`m not thinking, and l don`t care.
-But, Lloyd, we must do the right thing.
-What are you talking about, the right thing?
We`ve been wasting two good lives
trying to do the right thing...
the right thing for Matsubayashi,
the right thing for my father...
the right thing for the military,
the right thing for Japanese tradition...
the right thing for the great white race.
-But we have duties and obligations.
-That`s right, we do!
We have duties and obligations...
and the first obligation we have
is to love each other...
to become man and wife,
and raise some clean, sweet children...
and give them the very best
that we know how.
And if we don`t meet that obligation,
we ain`t going to be any good to anybody.
We live in different worlds,
come from different races.
Honey, l want you to be my wife.
But what would happen to our children?
What would they be?
What would they be?
They`d be half Japanese, half American.
They`d be half yellow and half white.
They`d be half you, they`d be half me.
That`s all they`re going to be.
Hana-ogi, l want you to come with me now.
l want you to come with me now,
down to the American consulate...
here in Tokyo.
We`ll start filling out those papers,
`cause we`ve only got a few days...
to get this whole thing done,
get it out of the way.
Will you come?
l`m going to wait for you outside.
Did l tell you he`d be here?
Look at this crowd!
Look who`s here, our rivals.
-What do you know?
-You guys heard about it, too.
No secrets. No secrets in this country!
Hello, Major. What a coincidence!
You got a story for us, sir?
No. As a matter of fact, l don`t.
Major, you`re not going
to try to deny it, are you?
-Deny what?
-The story.
Why won`t you give us a story?
You`re big news now, sir.
l`m afraid l don`t know
what you`re talking about.
Here`s Hana-ogi. Maybe she`ll talk.
Come on, Hana-ogi, that`s not fair.
What did you say?
lt is very difficult for Japanese woman
to speak in public.
l have never done so.
But perhaps now it is the time.
Maj. Gruver has asked me to be his wife.
He knows there are many people
in his country...
who will be disturbed by this.
l know my people will be shocked, too.
But l hope they will learn to understand...
and someday approve.
We are not afraid,
because we know this is right.
l hope l can continue as a dancer.
And l hope, when l`m old...
l will be able to teach children to dance.
My own children.
Major? The big brass are gonna
yell their heads off about this.
The Japanese aren`t going to like it either.
Have you got anything to say to them, sir?
Yeah.
Tell them we said ``sayonara.``