How Women Sacrificed Themselves for Sessue Hayakawa?

[@AgeOfVintage]

Thank you all for watching the videos and a HUGE THANK YOU for those who support the channel on Patreon. Just as little as $5 a month helps the channel tremendously!!! click here: www.patreon.com/ageofvintage Thank you! 🙂

[@MissyA1966]

Never heard of him. He's very handsome!!

[@AgeOfVintage]

I agree! 🙂

[@iakona23]

This guy definitely needs to be much better remembered. You could argue that he was one of the most significant actors in the development of early Hollywood. I think that he is brilliant in Bridge on the River Kwai.

[@lindseycarribean5113]

I'm sure it's because of his ethnicity.

[@iakona23]

@@lindseycarribean5113 I wouldn’t necessarily say that. A lot of great actors and filmmakers kind of get forgotten for one reason or another.

[@barbarak2836]

@@lindseycarribean5113 That may be part of it, but as someone who has read a lot about Hollywood in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, I can tell you there are many, many people who were huge stars at one point who are now totally forgotten.

[@jamesalexander5623]

@@lindseycarribean5113 Same as Valentino! Navarro!

[@MosaicRose99]

Another very handsome and talented actor was the late James Shegita, who was a Japanese American actor. He played character roles as well as being a leading man in his career. He also had an incredible voice for the screen and was a talented singer as well. James passed away in 2014....

[@bethsheeba1198]

I saw him in the Cherry Blossom Show in Sydney. He had an amazing presence.

[@nenabunena]

He was great in Bridge to the Sun

[@blippypippy8167]

He was GORGEOUS.......

[@siegridthomas9674]

I very much enjoyed his acting, there are not to many movies with his presence...

[@jeffreyrobinson6988]

I had read in a book about Hayakawa being an Asian superstar during the Silent Film Era. I'd watched his later roles in films like Bridge Over the River Kwai, and Tokyo Joe, but never made the connection until now. Seems to me there is enough juicy material here for a feature Hollywood film about this dynamic actor's life that would be a controversial success.

[@chrish2277]

What a great crossover for a Japanese actor and opportunity for some diversity in western movies

[@YooTuba]

I am most impressed with the way he managed to keep coming back in Hollywood and finally getting the role that he will always be remembered for in Bridge over the River Kwai. And that he then walked away from everything and retired to be a Zen Buddhist priest. Your video kept hinting at scandal and dark secrets, but it doesn't sound like he really had any other than his youthful attempt at seppaku. Thanks for spreading the word about Hayakawa as he is relatively absent from many of the books written about early Hollywood - maybe in part because he didn't have any major scandal and the books tend to concentrate on Arbuckle and Entwistle and others who got in trouble.

[@jaana944]

Wow! He was handsome!

[@richardshiggins704]

The fact that you mentioned his pivotal role in The Bridge over the River Kwai places him amongst the greats of the silver screen . He was the essential foil to Guinness's role as Col. Nicholson .

[@maiko365]

Thank you for spotlighting him. He is the best heartthrob man ever and I give him a high respect.

[@t.m.a.3665]

I agree! Suprised my mother never told me about him. She was from Nagasaki ,Japan. She moved to the States after she married my American GI father in the late 50’s. Very interesting video! Thank you! 🥰👵🏼

[@AgeOfVintage]

Thank you Maiko! 🙂

[@chrismulholland7530]

I knew who he was as soon as you said his name. He was an excellenr actor. Too bad prejudicial attitudes denied him a better choice of roles.

[@dorothymandan9338]

Omg, nice handsome Asian Man. I’d never heard of him before this. Outstanding individual of the early 1900s. Even got an Academy Award.

[@tessareynolds8377]

He was very handsome.

[@MISFITaddict]

this story needs to be retold this is fascinating for so many reasons.. id even be down to watch a new version of this film

[@rachelmayes298]

Never heard of this actor, thats why I watch your channel. I remember watching Charlie Chan on BBC2, I didn’t even know that the actor wasn’t even Asian. So much I don’t know, and so much I find out through yourselves. Thank you 😊

[@memmori1]

The first Japanese movie star that stole my heart at the age of 15 was of course Toshiro Mifune. But around the same time I saw an old book about cinema and there was a chapter about Hayakawa and his photo. I had a crush ) And 30 years later I still think it might be a true sex appeal and magnificent beauty of Hayakawa that charm women that haven't even been born in 1973 when he died.

[@charlotteziggy8353]

Never heard of him. Thanks. Interesting.

[@AgeOfVintage]

Thank you Charlotte! 🙂

[@RebeccaEvans]

He was gorgeous

[@lala-gj4oo]

he was a beautiful man.

[@sonnycorleone2602]

I always liked Sessue Hayakawa.A rarity- an Asian big star going back to the Charlie Chaplin days! I saw him in the 1915 movie "The Cheat". Sessue Should be more famous today. He was even in the much copied film "The Tong man" where an assassin does not do a hit then hitmen try to kill him. Sessue should of been in the Lillian Gish movie "Broken Blossoms" about an Asian man loving an underage white lady Gish. But role went to Richard Bartholomess who is white. I Saw him and liked him in "The bridge on the river kwai " too. And saw him also with my favorite old movie star Humphrey Bogart in movie "Tokyo Joe" in 1949. He was not only a great actor but was an accomplished pilot and other things too. Thanks for the very fine upload.

[@joeyp1927]

This guy essentially created the leading man archetype as we know it today. And he was an Asian male. In Hollywood. In the early 1900s, when the US was passing numerous laws against Japanese Americans. It is therefore amazing what he was able to accomplish over a few short years in Hollywood, becoming the highest paid actor in his time.

[@annag.799]

I've seen this movie. I was surprised to learn about him, especially with the prevailing thought that Asian men were never viewed as attractive in America.

[@iakona23]

History is always more complex and nuanced than the way that it is stereotypically presented in order to support a certain narrative.

[@dianapearson1771]

I never knew this about him. I don't see the swoon aspect. Definitely not handsome. But, his role in Bridge was great!!

[@iakona23]

@@dianapearson1771 It was because of the sexual taboo elements of the film and the somewhat perverse nature of the story that made this guy a focus of attention for a certain element of the female audience. Think movies like 50 Shades of Grey, as well as these “my vampire boyfriend” type movies, or erotic fiction type novels that some females find appealing.

[@blippypippy8167]

@@iakona23 precisely.

[@memmori1]

@@dianapearson1771 I don't see how can anyone fail to see the swoon aspect )) Well, just not your type of man. If I'd were the 1900s girl I would die for a date with him. Not Valentino, but him.

[@justadjustor8993]

I've been trying to remember his name for years!!! I remember seeing a documentary on Asians in early film and cinema and there was a small part in it featuring him, and I've been intrigued ever since.

[@AgeOfVintage]

haha, now you know! 🙂

[@jamesalexander5623]

How can you forget a name like that? ha!

[@justadjustor8993]

@@AgeOfVintage Thanks to you! Much love for you and your work! It's fabulous 😍😚🤗

[@justadjustor8993]

@@jamesalexander5623 Same way you forget a name like James Alexander; you just do.

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

Wow. Never heard of him. So good to learn about him. Thank you.

[@SLOtsuji]

I found out recently that my real last name (different than one given at birth) is Hayakawa. I’m also an actor and hoping this is a good sign

[@jamesalexander5623]

Be Happy in your Work!

[@robertc.johnson9614]

A of V, After watching that video which was EXCELLENT 👍. He and Anna Mae Wong should have had more Extensive Careers.. Even Pre - Code Silent Movies had Limitations that only turned worse The Hays Code in 1934 Tightened The Screws even more unfortunately. The Silent Era should have lasted longer more people could have Learned How To Read. Bruce Lee came close but, he died young as did his son Brandon Lee.Even Old Vintage Hollywood had it's Dark Side and Limitations too. May All Rest In Peace 🕊️ RCJ LEO 🦁

[@glennfryer1539]

Great in depth research as usual.. the voiceover is so precise and clear .. love your channel.. miss the old intro music though ..

[@jewelminor5526]

Thank You For This Video

[@AgeOfVintage]

Thank you Jewel! 🙂

[@jamesalexander5623]

They were Happy in their Work!

[@marjoriegarner5369]

Very interesting.

[@mainlyfine]

Bravo! Top post, especially your thoughts at the end

[@anitarichmond8930]

What a beauty.🎟

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Enjoyed!

[@AgeOfVintage]

Thank you Michael! 🙂

[@mudhead31]

Very interesting! Thanks.

[@masudashizue777]

His name is pronounced "Sesshuu," by the way. I think he wrote it that way, hoping that Westerners would pronounce it correctly, as in "issue," but they mispronounced it anyway.

[@Vee_of_the_Weald]

What a fantastic channel this is. It’s well researched and narrated. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us, Sir. All the best from France 🇫🇷

[@secretshaman189]

What interesting info, thank-you! I did not know this was the same man who played the Japanese general in "Bridge On the River Kwai." What a great role he played!

[@memmori1]

Most of modern viewers start their knowledge of Hayakawa with "Bridge on the River Kwai", one of his last significant roles. Unfortunately, many of his early movies of silent era were partially (or wholly) lost and we cannot see them now. But thank God there's The Cheat with him playing on of his most impressive roles. "Villain" as he is, he is nevertheless immensely attractive as Hishuru Tori/Haka Arakau as they renamed his character after the protests of Japanese audience that did not like the image created in the movie. I strongly recommend anyone to see this film, a masterpiece among silent movies

[@lillibet7432]

Wow!! Never knew! Fascinating! Thank you!!♥️

[@deborahgallery8912]

I never knew about the actor either. I wonder if a movie would ever be made about sessue hayakawa.

[@maiko365]

Actually once a movie that drawing Hayakawa's entire life was about to made in Japan, but due to lack of funds or any other problems, then the making plan has been postponed for a long time and eventually it's gone. I hope someone will try again and make it.

[@memmori1]

@@maiko365 I wonder if the Japanese film industry may find an actor to play a leading role of Hayakawa in such a biopic. I have serious doubts that any of the modern stars may portray him at any level of likeness

[@allisonyoung4285]

I remember him in Three Came Home with Claudette Colbert. 😊

[@alleycat8849]

A few months ago, I was surfing Valentino (Goodbye, Valentino) when Sessue's name popped up. He was not only gorgeous, but a good actor. If you saw him in The Cheat, you you'll find it hard to recognise him in Last of the line. Thanks for this ♥️

[@donnasherwood283]

Incredible

[@bluebluelectricblue]

Yes, yes, yes 🙌

[@starrsmith3810]

Holy hell he’s fine.

[@cocoaorange1]

A biopic would be nice.

[@Jersey.D3vil201]

Everything in the US, now and then, is reduce to race. I wish it would end, but I know it probably never will. He was a talent handsome man with star power. Why couldn't that just be enough.

[@makukawakami]

We need a movie about his life. the original bad boy of hollywood

[@KFC431]

Bro, if they made a movie about his life, it will stain the image of caucasian males. In modern days, people who are in charge of american media have the goal to portray asian males in a bad way while encouraging the relation between white males and asian females. They want to portray the propaganda of "evil China"

[@lianefehrle9921]

Never knew about him. Thanks for this.

[@cocoaorange1]

I watched a little of The Cheat on DVD. A biopic would be cool. It is sad he also died due to loss of pride, but that was his culture, glad his dog saved his life. I would like to see Dragon Painter.

[@stephaniehand503]

thank you

[@robkunkel8833]

Frankly, I love this channel’s voice and choice of material and I accept the photos not being in continuity with the material. What aggrieves me to no end is the writing. The script repeats details as if there are 4 or 5 scripts. Something will be said as if it was not said earlier but is was, perhaps two or three times. Is this just to make the feature longer? Why? Can you give some thought to this? Outline that whole production and synchronize the material with our audience visual experience. Promise to do this and I will consider becoming a Patreon. Please don’t take this the wrong way. DiVinci had to please patrons too.

[@cjKin]

Knowing what Hollywood did to actors/actresses especially to children with documentaries exposing its evil secrets, I understand why he sought to be a Zen Buddhist priest.

[@virgoboi24]

Sessue - SEHH-SWAY

[@SLOtsuji]

Cool

[@janetpitts7302]

Thank you, new sub!!!

[@RamKrishna-hf6dd]

Good for him he was stuck in France when WW2 broke out given how his people were interned in camps then.

[@redone4691]

Japanese men are really handsome

[@lorettarathjens692]

Never heard of him.

[@marie-heleneleclerc3181]

I heard that Hayakawa took part in the French Resistance during WWII, and that he sheltered fallen allied pilots. I don't know if it's true.

[@MissGayleEnlightens]

Hollywood sucks.

[@dianapearson1771]

Hollywood is definitely different today.

[@robkunkel8833]

04:56 … I don’t know when but U of Chicago gave up any football soon after he played football at that school. // 3:42 Had he lived up to his parents’ expectations, he probably would have been an officer in the Japanese Navy during WW2. Many died and he probably would have exposed himself to that danger too … and end up being killed.

[@akrenwinkle]

00:25 That look. Smoldering hot.

[@queenofscots839]

Omg

[@garyfrancis6193]

I have a copy of “Tokyo Joe”. I would post it but it might get a copyright strike. So I don’t.

[@AeonZhang]

💫✨🌟❤️🌟✨💫

[@garyfrancis6193]

I have the same problem.

[@kickkatz8133]

Wow me too❕

[@felixgelukonstantinescu4751]

WHAT IS THIS, BILLY?

[@siewheilou399]

This was a sex icon?

[@puffchick4197]

Valentino was better looking than this guy I personally think he’s not attractive

[@mrconfusion87]

Why? Is it cuz Sessue's Asian?

[@Rajahsulayman69]

If that's you on the video on your profile, I don't think you're in a position to judge on who's attractive...lol

[@Ok-oo2kh]

@@Rajahsulayman69 exactly 😂🤣

[@tomortale2333]

are u all crazy this guy was 4 feet of nothing giant zero....sushi

[@salinal2783]

Jealousy and a sad black heart is even worse....so there’s that!!!🤷‍♀️

[@jamesalexander5623]

he was 5' 7" ....Same as my Dad, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient in WW II.

[@memmori1]

are u still jealous and envious, no matter he died 50 years ago? lol

[@reeeeeee4648]

Throwing out inaccurate statements out of jealousy hahah typical.

[@starrsmith3810]

4 feet? He was 5’7 😂😂😂😂