A Straightforward Boy
About A Straightforward Boy
Bunkichi lures the boy Tetsubo away with toys and treats. Boss Gontora is in on the kidnapping. The boy is more trouble than the ransom is worth, and getting rid of him is harder than taking him.
Cast & crew
More about A Straightforward Boy
Yasujirō Ozu directed it at Shochiku's Kamata studio. Tadao Ikeda wrote the screenplay. The story credit is Chuji Nozu. Kō Nomura photographed it. It was released on November 24, 1929. IMDb lists 38 minutes. Tatsuo Saitō plays Bunkichi. Tomio Aoki plays Tetsubo. Takeshi Sakamoto plays Boss Gontora. Ozu wanted a part for Aoki after The Life of an Office Worker. Someone else suggested O. Henry's "The Ransom of Red Chief." Reviews note that pieces of the film are missing. A copy is on the Internet Archive as YasujiroOzu1929TokkanKozoAStraightforwardBoyNoSubTitles.
Themes
Making
Ozu built the short around Aoki, who had just debuted for him, on a kidnapping plot taken from O. Henry.
Look
Kō Nomura shot the luring of the boy and the hideout.
Preservation
Reviews say pieces are missing. A copy is on the Internet Archive.
Notes
- The Japanese title is Tokkan kozō. After the film, audiences used that name for Aoki.
- Sakamoto carries a butterfly net.
- The English titles also include A Straightforward Kid and The Charging Kid.
- The O. Henry suggestion did not come from Ozu.
Scenes
- Bunkichi lures Tetsubo with toys.
- The kidnappers cannot unload the boy.
Influenced by
- O. Henry's The Ransom of Red Chief
Also available
- Internet Archive (YasujiroOzu1929TokkanKozoAStraightforwardBoyNoSubTitles)
