In the past, it was much easier for Hollywood filmmakers to tackle unpleasant subjects or break taboos in film that, at first glance, looked like exploitation. An interesting example of this can be found in The Crimson Kimono, a 1959 crime drama directed by Samuel Fuller.
Set in Los Angeles, the film opens in Little Tokyo, where the story begins with the murder of Sugar Torch (played by Gloria Pall), a burlesque dancer who becomes the target of a killer and gets shot on the street. The investigation is led by two LAPD detectives: Sergeant Charlie Bancroft (Glenn Corbett), who is white, and Officer Joe Kojaku (James Shigeta), a Japanese American. The only lead they have is a painting commissioned by Sugar Torch, which ultimately connects them to Christine Downes (played by Victoria Shaw), an art student who saw how the killer looked like and becomes the next target. As Charlie and Joe strive to protect Christine, their friendship, forged during their service in the Korean War, becomes strained when both men develop romantic feelings for her.
At first glance, The Crimson Kimono appears to conform to the conventions of a sleazy exploitation film, opening with a striking scene in which a busty half-naked woman is being chased on the street before being brutally gunned down. However, Fuller uses this scene as a way to fulfill the quota of exploitation content and then takes a more serious approach for the rest of the film. He uses the rather uninspiring crime plot as an opportunity to deal with the dark underbelly of American society, specifically focusing on racism in this particular case.
The infamous MPAA Production Code, which had barred depiction of miscegenation, had been becoming much more lax in the late 1950s, and interracial romances weren't as taboo in Hollywood films as previosuly. What made The Crimson Kimono stand out was that, unlike in some of these films, the Asian male was having a relationship with a white woman, and the Asian protagonist was played by an actual Asian actor, James Shigeta.
Shigeta, known to later generations mainly as unfortunate Mr. Takagi in Die Hard, shines in this rare opportunity to star in a Hollywood film. He has an easy chemistry with Australian actress Victoria Shaw, and it's understandable why her character would choose Joe instead of Charlie, who, although competently played by Glenn Corbett, isn't as charismatic and charming. Shigeta's performance is well matched by Anna Lee, who almost steals the show as the bohemian, drink-loving artist and closest the film has to a Greek chorus.
Fuller drew inspiration for The Crimson Kimono from real-life experiences with Japanese American detectives in Los Angeles. He was particularly interested in exploring what life was like for these individuals in California—a state where Japanese Americans faced significant prejudice during World War II. By using authentic locations for filming and incorporating elements that remind viewers of Japanese American soldiers' sacrifices during wartime, Fuller reinforces his message about racial injustice. Joe’s character articulates this sensitivity when he acknowledges that his experiences as a Japanese American shape his perspective on race relations differently than those of his white counterparts.
The Crimson Kimono, while being very good, is far from perfect. However, Fuller's capable direction, effective black-and-white cinematography by Sam Leavitt, some quasi-documentary footage of Japanese American street festivals, and Shigeta's performance are reasons enough to recommend the film to fans of late 1950s Hollywood.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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