Kajirō Yamamoto

was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and actor who was known for his war films and comedies and as the mentor of the Three Crows. The combined list of his efforts as a director for documentaries, silent, and sound films includes over 90 film titles during his lifetime.

Early life Born in Tokyo, Yamamoto attended Keio University, where he helped form a film appreciation society. He first appeared in film in 1921 as an actor opposite Yoshiko Okada, but that only earned the wrath of his family, who disowned him. When P. C. L. became the Toho company, Yamamoto helmed realist dramas such as Tsuzurikata kyōshitsu and Uma (starring Hideko Takamine), and war films such as Hawai Mare oki kaisen.

He is also responsible for the career of Toshiro Mifune. In 1947, one of Mifune's friends who worked for the Photography Department of Toho Productions suggested Mifune try out for the Photography Department. He was accepted for a position as an assistant cameraman. At this time, a large number of Toho actors, after a prolonged strike, had formed a separate company, Shintoho. Toho then organized a "new faces" contest to find new talent. Mifune's friends submitted an application and photo, without his knowledge. He was accepted, along with 48 others (out of roughly 4000 applicants), and allowed to take a screen test for Kajirō Yamamoto. Instructed to mime anger, he drew from his wartime experiences. Yamamoto took a liking to Mifune, recommending him to director Senkichi Taniguchi.

Selected filmography

Director Danun; 1924 Renbo kouta shōdoshima jowa; 1924 Yama no shinpi; 1924 Bakudanji; 1925 Hito wo kutta hanashi; 1925 Kagayakeru tobira; 1925 Mori no asa; 1925 Matsuda eiga shōhin-shū: Kumo; 1926 Junange; 1932 Momoiro no musume; 1933 Sōkyū no mon; 1933 Arupusu taishō; 1934 Ren'ai ski jutsu; 1934 Furusato harete; 1934 Enoken no Kondō Isami (エノケンの近藤勇) (1935) Sumire musume; 1935 Botchan; 1935 Enoken's Ten Millions 2; 1936 Wagahai wa neko de aru; 1936 Enoken no Chakkiri Kinta (エノケンのちゃっきり金太) (1937) Utsukushiki taka; 1937, with Kurosawa Enoken no chakkiri Kinta 'Go', kaeri wa kowai, mateba hiyori; 1937, with Kurosawa Enoken no chakkiri Kinta 'Zen' - Mamayo sandogasa - Ikiwa yoiyoi; 1937, with Kurosawa Nihon josei dokuhon (volume 1); 1937, with Kurosawa A Husband's Chastity: Fall Once Again; 1937, with Kurosawa Otto no teiso - haru kitareba; 1937, with Kurosawa Enoken no bikkuri jinsei; 1938, with Kurosawa Tsuzurikata Kyōshitsu (綴方教室) (1938), with Kurosawa Tōjūrō no koi; 1938, with Kurosawa Nonki Yokocho; 1939, with Kurosawa Chushingura (Go); 1939, with Kurosawa Chushingura (Zen); 1939, with Kurosawa Enoken no gatchiri jidai; 1939, with Kurosawa Enoken no songokū: songokū zenko-hen; 1940, with Kurosawa Enoken no zangiri Kinta; 1940, with Kurosawa Roppa no shinkon ryoko; 1940, with Kurosawa Uma (馬) (1941), with Kurosawa Hawai Mare oki kaisen (ハワイ・マレー沖海戦) (1942) The Sky of Hope; 1942 Raigekitai Shutsudō; 1944 Katō Hayabusa Sentōtai (加藤隼戦闘隊) (1944) Koi no fuunjî; 1945 Amerika Yosoro; 1945 Those Who Make Tomorrow (明日を作る人々, Asu o tsukuru hitobito) (1946) Haru no kyōen; 1947 These Foolish Times II; 1947 These Foolish Times; 1947 Four Love Stories; 1947 Kaze no ko; 1949 Haru no tawamure; 1949 Escape from Prison; 1950 Who Knows a Woman's Heart; 1951 Hopu-san: sararîman no maki; 1951 Elegy; 1951 Hana no naka no musumetachi; 1953 Saturday Angel; 1954 Zoku Take-chan shacho; 1954 Take-chan shacho; 1954 Ai no rekishi; 1955 Muttsuri Umon torimonocho; 1955 Ore mo otoko sa; 1955 A Man Among Men; 1955 Mt. Manaslu: 8,125 Meters in Altitude (Documentary); 1956 The Underworld; 1956 Yoshida to Sanpei monogatari: Ohanake no sekai; 1957 A Holiday in Tokyo (東京の休日 Tōkyō no kyūjitsu) (1958) Jazu musume ni eiko are; 1958 Monkey Sun (1959) Ginza taikutsu musume; 1960 Hana no oedo no musekinin; 1964 Tensai sagishi monogatari: Tanuki no hanamichi; 1964 Tameki no taisho; 1965 Neko no kyujitsu; 1966 Take-chan shacho: Seishun de tsukkare!; 1967 Take-chan shacho: Seishun wa ryu no mono da!; 1967