Sadao Maruyama
Actor
About Sadao Maruyama
Sadao Maruyama was a Japanese actor who appeared during the early sound era of Japanese cinema in the 1930s. His only known film credit is in Mikio Naruse's acclaimed 1935 film 'Wife! Be Like a Rose!' (Tsuma yo Bara no Yō ni), which was one of the first Japanese films to receive theatrical release in the United States. Maruyama was part of the supporting cast during a transitional period in Japanese cinema when the industry was moving from silent films to talkies. Like many character actors of this era, his career appears to have been brief, with his filmography limited to this single notable production. The film itself was significant for its realistic portrayal of family dynamics and was praised for its naturalistic acting style, which would become a hallmark of Japanese cinema. Unfortunately, detailed records about many supporting actors from this period are scarce, making comprehensive documentation of Maruyama's life and career challenging.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in Mikio Naruse's 'Wife! Be Like a Rose!' (1935)
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Sadao Maruyama's contribution to cinema, while limited to a single known film, is part of the broader tapestry of early Japanese sound cinema. His appearance in 'Wife! Be Like a Rose!' places him within a historically significant production that helped introduce Japanese cinema to international audiences. The film was notable for breaking away from the stylized acting common in earlier Japanese films, embracing a more naturalistic approach that would influence future generations of Japanese filmmakers. Even minor roles in such pioneering productions contributed to the evolution of Japanese cinematic language and storytelling techniques.
Lasting Legacy
Due to the extremely limited documentation of his career, Sadao Maruyama's legacy is primarily preserved through his participation in one of Japanese cinema's important early sound films. His name remains in the historical record as part of the cast of a film that represented a significant milestone in Japanese cinema's development and its gradual recognition on the international stage. Like many character actors from this era, his individual contributions may be overshadowed by the collective achievement of the film itself, but he remains part of the foundation upon which Japan's golden age of cinema was built.
Who They Inspired
There is no documented evidence of Sadao Maruyama's direct influence on other actors or filmmakers, which is typical for supporting actors from this period with limited filmographies. However, his participation in a film that exemplified the move toward naturalistic acting in Japanese cinema indirectly contributed to the broader shift in performance styles that would influence subsequent generations of Japanese actors.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Sadao Maruyama's personal life, as was common for many supporting actors in early Japanese cinema whose biographical information was not extensively documented.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in what is considered one of the first Japanese films to achieve international distribution
- His only known film credit was directed by Mikio Naruse, who would become one of Japan's most acclaimed directors
- The film he appeared in was released during a crucial transition period when Japanese cinema was establishing its unique identity
- Supporting actors from 1930s Japanese cinema often had incomplete career records due to poor documentation practices
- The film's English title 'Wife! Be Like a Rose!' was a marketing decision for its international release
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sadao Maruyama?
Sadao Maruyama was a Japanese actor from the 1930s who is known for appearing in the film 'Wife! Be Like a Rose!' (1935). His career appears to have been very brief, with this being his only documented film credit.
What films is Sadao Maruyama best known for?
Sadao Maruyama is known only for his appearance in 'Wife! Be Like a Rose!' (1935), a significant early Japanese sound film directed by Mikio Naruse that was one of the first Japanese films to receive international distribution.
When was Sadao Maruyama born and when did he die?
Specific birth and death dates for Sadao Maruyama are not documented in available historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from early Japanese cinema.
What awards did Sadao Maruyama win?
There are no documented awards or nominations for Sadao Maruyama, which is typical for character actors with limited filmographies from this period of Japanese cinema.
What was Sadao Maruyama's acting style?
Specific details about Sadao Maruyama's acting style are not documented, though he appeared in a film noted for its naturalistic approach to performance, which was innovative for Japanese cinema of the 1930s.
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Films
1 film
