A Majority of One

Of course the producers needed some names to carry this, and after all, Guinness could play anything, right? Here we have Sir Alec in a variation on his standard Refined Exotic Man, very similar to his Prince Faisal in Lawrence of Arabia and Brahmin Professor Godbole from A Passage to India. On Broadway Mr. Asano was played by Cedric Hardwicke, so this was simply continuing established --and highly outdated-- practice.

At least the onstage Mrs. Jacoby was portrayed by Gertrude Berg, creator and star of TV's The Goldbergs (1949-1957), and the kind of little round Jewish mama one would visualize in the role. Roz does her best, but it's not just that she's doing Jew-Face to Guinness' Yellowface-- she comes across as gawky and vulgar rather than sweet and endearingly quaint.

As has been presented in innumerable interracial romances intended for white audiences, the potential shock is taken out by the knowledge that hey, after all, those actors are both white. Acting is pretending! Nowadays, however, audiences are more sophisticated and like a bit more realism.

Now, who would we cast in a new production of A Majority of One?

What the world needs now and always is tolerance among people of different faiths. This sweet, charming film is a fine example of this principle. Rent it, buy it, see it. You won't be disappointed.

One of the great love stories of all time. If it is possible to fall in love with a movie I fell the first time I saw it. I did not have recorder at the time. I thought it might be a time filler when I saw the listing. I like Rosalind Russell and Alec Guinness so I tuned it in. I wish I had a recorder at that time.

It is wonderful movie. It starts with two elderly bigoted, hurt and angry people who go through trials and tribulations with her family and still get together in the end. They are hurt because of family losses during World War II.

It is a quiet romantic comedy that comes off beautifully.

If you like love stories, then this movie is a must.

Alec Guinness acts as an elderly, influential Japanese businessman in this romance / comedy / drama set in the background of the aftermath of World War II .

When you see this film, you will, not for a minute, imagine that Mr. Koichi Asano (played by Alec Guinness ) is anything other than Japanese - so complete is the effort put in by this great actor.

Superb acting from both Alec Guinness and Rosalind Russell and a unique background of Japanese culture make this a very memorable movie.

A 'must' for all Alec Guinness fans !

Warner Bros. cast movie stars Rosalind Russell, and Alec Guiness in this movie based on the hit Broadway play directed by long time veteran Mervyn Le Roy with very fine Warner Bros production values.

Rosalind Russell an Irish Catholic Yankee was cast as a Brooklyn Jewish Matron, the part played by Gertrude Berg on Broadway. There is a lot of mileage between Roz Russell and Gertrude Berg! English star ( and also Catholic) Alec Guiness was assigned to play the Japanese male lead. Ms. Russell had a lot of talent and is one of the most glaring examples of a great actress who never won an Oscar. Alec Guiness right off his great Oscar win in The Bridge On The River Kwai playing the English officer tormented by his Japanese captors is elegant and intelligent in his performance in this film. Due to the deft professionalism and talent do these two very fine Stars pull off their characterization's.

Gary Vinson and Sharon Hugueny both WB stars are listed in the credits but I only saw them briefly. Warners contract star Ray Danton is fine in this film.