The Dancing Girl of Izu

"I am a wandering bird in tears"

In a chaotic world with war and a financial depression The Dancing Girl of Izu ponders whether love or stability is more important. A happy heart or a full belly? Safe shelter or life on the road?

College student Mizahara helped out a band of traveling performers and became friends with the head of the group, Eikichi. As he traveled with them, he fell in love with Eikichi's sister, Kaoru. Eikichi had inherited a gold mine but squandered his money and sold it to Zenbei, a friend of his late father. Now he and his wife and sister are forced to earn money as itinerant entertainers.

A disreputable engineer who had worked with Eikichi, tried to shake down Zenbei for a reward for showing him the vulnerable mine years ago. Zenbei gave him some change and kicked him out. The engineer went to Eikichi telling him that Zenbei had taken advantage of him when he bought the mine so cheaply and motivated Eikichi to ask for more money from the mine owner. Zenbei refused to give Eikichi money outright but offered money to buy his sister. Eikichi, who was furious at losing his reputation along with his money had no problem with throwing his sister to the wolves.

Mizuhara intervened by confronting Zenbei who also happened to be the father of his best friend. At this point, in the movie we find out that all is not as it seems. Mizuhara realized this as well and also realized that Kaoru's best chance for "happiness" was not with him.

Zenbei and Mizuhara made choices for Kaoru, as did her brother. Regardless of their motivations, Kaoru was left without choices, her future in the hands of the men around her, some she didn't even know.

Director Gosho used the beautiful Izu Peninsula to good effect with the mountains and streams often in the background. The character development seemed to come second to the melodramatic plot, leaving me disconnected from their trials. It was hard to see a strong love developing from the short scenes the lovers had. Their feelings came across as more of a holiday crush. Probably best one of them was thinking pragmatically.

This silent film had no music and I'm unaware if it ever did. The film was originally intended to be a talkie but ran short of money. The copy I watched was faded with salt and pepper pocking but it didn't take away from my viewing experience. I was more curious if the sides had been cropped as there were times people's faces were cut off which looked more haphazard than artistic.

The acting bordered on overacting at times as happened with some of these older films but overall they did a good job. I usually enjoy Tanaka Kinuyo's performances and it was interesting watching her in one of her earlier movies. She was required to cry often which could wear thin after the third or fourth crying jag. The tears were understandable as her character was not consulted on her future, but as I said, it started to feel like overkill even for a supposedly very young girl experiencing love and heartache for the first time.

The start-up was misleading with a missing "geisha" which had little to do with the plot, but once it got past that red herring, the story started to gain traction. If you enjoy silent films this is an emotional one of young love to try.

"I am a floating weed
I spend my youth in traveling
In every waking moment
flowers of love and sympathy bloom"



9/17/22

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