Yūzō Kayama
Also Known As: Юдзо Каяма
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Yūzō Kayama (加山 雄三 Kayama Yūzō) is a Japanese popular musician and film star, born on 11 April 1937. His father, Ken Uehara, was a film star during the 1930s. Yuzo Kayama became a big star in the 1960s in the Wakadaishō (Young Guy) film series. He showed his ability for drama when Akira Kurosawa cast him for his 1965 film, Red Beard, starring Toshirō Mifune. Kayama reported that he found the two years spent making this film the most difficult, but proudest work of his life. As a guitarist, he took inspiration from the American instrumental group The Ventures, and performed a form of psychedelic surf music in the 1960s with his Mosrite guitar. One of his best-known instrumentals is "Black Sand Beach". "Kimi to Itsumademo" ("Love Forever"), another of his compositions, sold over two million copies, and was awarded a gold disc in 1965. At that point it was the biggest selling disc in the Japanese recording industry's history. Description above from the Wikipedia article Yūzō Kayama, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Birthday: April 11, 1937
Adult: No
Gender: Male
Popularity:
Known For:
Red Beard
Overview: Aspiring to an easy job as personal physician to a wealthy family, Noboru Yasumoto is disappointed when his first post after medical school takes him to a small country clinic under the gruff doctor Red Beard. Yasumoto rebels in numerous ways, but Red Beard proves a wise and patient teacher. He gradually introduces his student to the unglamorous side of the profession, ultimately assigning him to care for a prostitute rescued from a local brothel.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-04-03
Popularity:
Sanjuro
Overview: Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.
Genres: Drama Action Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-01-01
Popularity:
Chûshingura
Overview: After their lord is tricked into committing ritual suicide, forty-seven samurai warriors await the chance to avenge their master and reclaim their honor.
Genres: History Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-11-03
Popularity:
Messengers
Overview: Naomi Shimizu is a young career woman working for Enrico Dandolo, an Italian fashion house. That is until one day the company declares bankruptcy. Accustomed to living in luxury she tries to make a run for it with the last remaining company asset, a red Alpha Romeo sports car. Unfortunately she recklessly collides with an bicycle messenger. Lacking any funds to pay for a settlement, she end up having to work as a bicycle messenger.
Genres: Comedy Romance Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1999-08-21
Popularity:
The Crimson Sky
Overview: 1962 Japanese movie
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-03-21
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The Sword of Doom
Overview: Ryunosuke, a gifted swordsman plying his trade during the turbulent final days of Shogunate rule, has no moral code and kills without remorse. It’s a way of life that leads to madness.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-02-25
Popularity:
Attack Squadron
Overview: Lt. Col. Senda resists the idea of sending Japanese fighter pilots on suicide missions. He believes that what is really necessary for Japan to regain momentum in the war is for the air force to gather its most brilliant pilots into an elite squadron and use the unit to pinpoint attacks on the Americans. Disrespected by the kamikaze pilots who think the "non-suicidal" pilots are afraid, the unit redeems itself by stunning victories. But success leads the military leaders to expect too much of the unit, and new orders portend disaster.
Genres: Action Drama War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-01-03
Popularity:
Futari no Koibito
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1969-04-12
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The Sun is Calling You
Overview: A man with a dark past comes from Tokyo to the fishing port of Izu, and tries to begin a new life as a fisherman.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-09-29
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Battle of the Japan Sea
Overview: Japan and Russia clash in what comes to be known as the Russo-Japanese War. An attempt by the Japanese fleet and army to take Port Arthur fails, and a Russian fleet bears down on the Sea of Japan. Admiral Heihachiro Togo sends his fleet to confront the Russians, with results which stun both nations. Meanwhile, Major Genjiro Akashi makes secret negotiations with the Bolshevik revolutionaries in Russia, negotiations that have repercussions far beyond the conflict at hand.
Genres: War History Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1969-08-01
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Yearning
Overview: War widow Reiko rebuilds and runs the grocery shop in the house of her husband's family. Many years later, their business is threatened by a newly built supermarket and Reiko's in-laws plan to convert their small shop into a supermarket, to her detriment.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-01-15
Popularity:
Different Sons
Overview: In the middle of the period of high economic growth in Japan, a family is thrown into disarray over work, money, and romance. Their father's sudden unemployment later in life causes friction among the siblings of the Akagi family. Kensuke, a salaryman at a top company, refuses to support his parents while his brother, Shoji, determines to care for them despite only working as a taxi driver. The concern over money affects Noriko's own love life as she courts a wealthy salaryman to the chagrin of her mechanic boyfriend.
Genres: Drama Family
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-11-12
Popularity:
Mount Hakkoda
Overview: Two infantry regiments of the Imperial Japanese Army—210 men overall—tackled Mt. Hakkoda in the winter of 1902 to prepare for war with Russia.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1977-06-04
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The Battle of Okinawa
Overview: The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.
Genres: War History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1971-08-14
Popularity:
ESPY
Overview: The film deals with the recruitment of race car driver Jiro Miki (Masao Kusakari) and his dog, Caesar, to a group of people who use ESP, psychokinesis, and other special mental abilities to fight crime.
Genres: Action Science Fiction Adventure Thriller
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1974-12-28
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Blueprint of Murder
Overview: Yuzo Kayama plays the protagonist, a whale-hunting cannon manufactuing supervisor, whose brother is an automobile tester for Komatsu Motors which has a fatal accident. As his brother investigates the "Accident" with his old college friend (makoto Sato), now a reporter... They stumble across murder, espionage and cover-ups. High-class night club, femme fatale, and a "Blueprint of Murder" all adds up to a bigger plot then first expected.
Genres: Action Crime Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-01-03
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Chigasaki Story - My Little Hometown
Overview: Chigasaki is a land of entertainment, which produces many entertainers. Junichi Miyaji is a record collector and promoter of western pop music. Shinichi Nakazawa is an anthropologist. They search for the secret of reason why Chigasaki produces so many entertainers.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 2017-06-07
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The Creature Called Man
Overview: A top police-guard, charged with protecting a visiting politician and ruthless dictator, contends with an assassin set to kill the man.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1970-04-04
Popularity:
Zoku izuko e
Overview: Sequel to "真実の愛情を求めて 何処へ" (1954). A coming-of-age drama adapted from the novel by Yojiro Ishizaka.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-04-12
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Duel at Fort Ezo
Overview: 1864. Samurai Shinbei is sent in a secret mission to Ezo, in the North of Japan, to stop riots of villagers commanded by Jirozaemon. A Russian count's daughter, the village leader's daughter and a secret treasure add up to the adventure.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1970-02-09
Popularity:
Young Guy at Sea
Overview: Eternal young guy, Yuzo Kayama stars in this fifth installment of the Young Guy series. Young Guy returns to the swim team from the first movie, boards his rival Blue Guy's boat, and meets a young woman on a small island.
Genres: Comedy Action Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-08-08
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Two in the Shadow
Overview: A man is involved in a fatal car accident, and though he is blameless, his company transfers him to a remote branch in a small town. Before he leaves, he gives the man's widow a large sum of money that she uses to move back to her hometown.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-11-18
Popularity:
Arupusu no wakadaishô
Overview: Seventh movie of the Wakadaishō series directed by Kengo Furusawa
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-05-28
Popularity:
Thunderbolt
Overview: In order to release his kidnapped sister, sports car mechanic, Chan Foh To, has to defeat a super-criminal street racer.
Genres: Action Thriller
Original Language: cn
Release Date: 1995-09-08
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The Young Ace in the South Pacific
Overview: The 10th film in the Wakadaisho series, the Young Ace Yuichi Tanuma travels to Hawaii to train in deep-sea navigation. The Young Ace comes to the rescue of various women in peril, teaches a would-be restauranteur how to make sukiyaki, thwarts the romantic aspirations of his rival Ao Daisho, and competes in the finals of the Japan Judo Championship at the Nippon Budokan. Shot across various locations across Hawaii, Tahiti, Saipan, and Tokyo.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-07-01
Popularity:
Bravo, Young Guy
Overview: A film by Katsumi Iwauchi.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1970-05-27
Popularity:
Sanshiro Sugata
Overview: Remake of Kurosawa's films Sanshiro Sugata and Sanshiro Sugata part 2. A young man, Sanshiro Sugata, troubled by personal problems, takes up judo. His teacher, Shogoro Yano, is a devout man who has aroused the enmity of the local practitioners of jujitsu, the older and more accepted of the two sports. Sugata uses his newly learned prowess to gain a measure of respect from others; however, Shogoro insists that the sport has a spiritual side, a lesson Sugata has yet to learn. Eventually, in hand-to-hand combat with the father of a young woman he loves, he comes to understand the true meaning of judo.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-05-29
Popularity:
Admiral Yamamoto
Overview: As Japan joins in a political pact with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is appointed supreme commander of the Japanese fleet. With Japan headed inexorably toward war, Yamamoto, despite his misgivings, believes the only possible victory lies in destroying the American fleet by surprise at Pearl Harbor. The attack succeeds, but fails to sink the American carrier fleet. Thus Yamamoto must lead the Japanese navy into war with ever-diminishing likelihood of success.
Genres: War Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-08-14
Popularity:
Big Shots Die at Dawn
Overview: An early Okamoto yakuza film, though it's not in the Underworld series (along with The Last Gunfight and The Big Boss) despite being alternatively known as "Death of the Boss." While Okamoto did not write this film and took on the project because he was assigned and "just doing [his] job" according to an interview with Chris Desjardins in Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film, he did express a general excitement about working in action cinema (which shows through in this film's energy.)
Genres: Crime Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-04-09
Popularity:
Mount Hakone
Overview: Japanese drama.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-09-15
Popularity:
Mr. Moonlight: The Beatles Budokan Performance 1966 - A Dream We Had Together
Overview: The documentary about how Beatles went popular in Japan and did a concert in Budokan back in 1966.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 2023-01-27
Popularity:
Zero
Overview: Two young men are recruited into the Japanese air force just before outbreak of WW2 by the test pilot of Japans new super fighter - the Zero. The movie is told in reverse from the point of one of the young men who don't qualify for the pilot training and instead joins the ground crew. It chronicles the entire history of the famous fighter from the first prototype test flights all through the war.
Genres: War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1984-08-11
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Zero Fighter
Overview:
Genres: War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-07-13
Popularity:
The Militarists
Overview:
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1970-09-11
Popularity:
Westward Desperado
Overview: In this patriotic WW II drama, the Japanese army demonstrates its courage and willingness to do anything to win as they endeavor to sneak into Communist China to bring back the flag of a defeated enemy regiment.
Genres: War Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-10-30
Popularity:
Siege of Fort Bismarck
Overview:
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-05-29
Popularity:
Love Forsaken
Overview: The story is about Tomoko and her relationships with three men.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1971-04-01
Popularity:
Man Against Man
Overview: Kikumori runs a cabaret on the docks, while his friend Kaji operates transport boats. When a gang of drug dealers tries to force the pair to cooperate in a smuggling scheme, conflict arises between the two friends. Falsely blamed for murder, Kikumori is blackmailed into an attempt to sabotage Kaji's boats and kill him. But the friendship between the two men proves an obstacle to the gangleader's plans.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-08-14
Popularity:
Warring Clans
Overview: A brave, highly principled warrior resigns his post as a body guard to the head of a powerful clan after he learns that his employers have been smuggling arms to the enemy. The remaining samurai try in vain to coerce him back, but their efforts are thwarted by crooked warriors who launch an attack...
Genres: Action Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-03-23
Popularity:
Las Vegas Free-For-All
Overview: The Crazy Cats, a Japanese musical-comedy group, were showcased a series of comic adventures throughout the 1960s. Las Vegas Free-For-All, one of their most popular movies, featured scenes filmed on location in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. Appearing with the seven Cats were the lovely Mie Hama and such Japanese musical artists as The Peanuts, The Johnnys, The Drifters, and Jackie Yoshikawa & the Blue Comets.
Genres: Comedy Adventure Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-04-28
Popularity:
Campus A Go-Go
Overview: Young Guy (Kayama) competes in an electric guitar competition and plays American-style football. Released alongside Invasion of Astro Monster.
Genres: Drama Music
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-12-19
Popularity:
Good-bye Moscow
Overview: Ex-jazz pianist turned promoter finds he is successful, but empty. When an entrepreneur sends him to Moscow with a jazz combo, he falls in with the dissident youth of the city, and again finds life empty.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-03-27
Popularity:
Pride of the Campus
Overview: Young Yuichi (Kayama) romances Sumiko (Hoshi) while helping out at his family's restaurant, singing in a band, and preparing for an important boxing tournament.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-02-10
Popularity:
Sir Galahad in Campus
Overview: The first instalment in Toho's popular Wakadaishō (Young Guy) series.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-07-08
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Born in Sin
Overview: A dark family secret sends a 21-year-old French student (Hoshi) on a journey of self-discovery.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-11-23
Popularity:
Red Target
Overview: A gunslinger is hired to kill a news photographer. The young ward of the shot photographer discovers the set-up behind the killing - that a laboratory is being set up by a Nazi organization to capture and train talented youth and that the photographer was about to expose it.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1972-04-05
Popularity:
The Detective
Overview: Detective Muramatsu's wife, Fusae, is killed by a drug addict. After the criminal climbs to the roof of the house with a hostage, Muramatsu shoots him dead in order to rescue the hostage, but the public denounces his actions as stemming from the personal grudge of a detective whose wife was just murdered, and he is demoted.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1984-09-22
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My Brother, My Love
Overview:
Genres: Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-09-07
Popularity:
Let's Go! Young Guy
Overview: College student Yuuichi Tanuma is fired up for Nationals where his university Kyonan will face off against their rivals, Seihoku. Yuuichi has his sights set on winning football gold, but his father, who wants him to take over his sukiyaki restaurant, isn't too keen on this. Set in Kyoto, Hong Kong, and Macau, we follow Yuuichi as he falls in love and chases after his dreams.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-01-01
Popularity:
College Champ
Overview: Yuuichi Tanuma, our young hero, is a senior at Kyonan University and captain of the marathon team. His parents run a sukiyaki restaurant back in his hometown. When his allowance stops coming in, Yuuichi moves back in with his folks to work part-time. He has his eyes set on nationals in the fall, until one day he runs into a young woman who's fallen into trouble with the Lightning Gang...
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-07-14
Popularity:
Young Challengers
Overview: A story depicting the challenges faced by today's youth in working to build a better tomorrow, based on the theme of Toshiba's progress as one of Japan's leading manufacturers of electronic and electric goods.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-10-12
Popularity:
Happiness of Us Alone
Overview: The story is of two people. One is deaf, the other deaf and mute. They marry after meeting at a school reunion, and the film follows their trials and tribulations ... and joys.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-01-15
Popularity:
Come Marry Me
Overview: Masako is a humble waitress who has a chance encounter with playboy Tamotsu. With the aid of his sister, Tamotsu seeks to win Masako's affection despite the disapproval of his wealthy parents and Masako's own feelings towards the working-class cabbie Noro.
Genres: Romance Comedy Music
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-11-20
Popularity:
Blood on the Sea
Overview: Four fishermen friends are caught up in a piracy plot.
Genres: Adventure
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-08-13
Popularity:
Forever With You
Overview:
Genres: Music
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-09-10
Popularity:
Operation Sewer Rats
Overview: Towards the end of World War II, five men are tasked with freeing the son of a general from Chinese captivity.
Genres: War Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-06-01
Popularity:
Detective Story: A Brother's Rule
Overview: Iwabuchi of the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division cooperates with Kubo of the Foreign Affairs Division in re-investigating the case of a foreign drug addict's death at the request of Kubo.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1971-03-06
Popularity:
Sun Above, Death Below
Overview: Suspense drama about an assassin charged with breaking up a gold smuggling ring, and the contract subsequently purchased against him and his employer.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-11-23
Popularity:
Bullet Wound
Overview: Yuzo Kayama is an American-Japanese operative working for the US to uncover an arms deal between an American seller and Chinese communists, and to take out both parties. After almost getting assassinated himself, he takes a wounded civilian with him despite living in a world where no one can be trusted.
Genres: Crime Thriller
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1969-09-10
Popularity:
The Young Ace in Hawaii
Overview: Fourth entry in Toho's Wakadaishō series directed by Jun Fukuda and released on a simultaneous screening with Matango. Filmed on location in Hawaii.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-08-11
Popularity:
Japan's Longest Day
Overview: Following the detonation of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese military and the government clash over the demand from the Allies for unconditional surrender. Minister of the Army Anami leads the military officers who propose to fight on, even to the death of every Japanese citizen. Emperor Hirohito, however, joins with his ministers in asking the unthinkable, the peaceful surrender of Japan. When the military plots a coup to overthrow the Emperor's civilian government, Anami must face the choice between his desires and loyalty to his Emperor.
Genres: Drama History War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-08-03
Popularity:
Honolulu, Tokyo, Hong Kong
Overview: The third and final chapter of MP & GI's Toho Trilogy expands the geographical reach of the franchise, taking stars Lucilla You Min and Takarada Akira across the Pacific to Hawaii, where scenic travelogue passages add to the cross-cultural affair. Also expanded is the romantic entanglement, as the love birds find themselves embroiled in an intricate love pentagon! By then a rising star of Toho boasting multiple talents, Jimmy Lin was bestowed the unenviable task of playing one of the five, the Lucilla character's long-lost fiancé…
Genres: Drama Comedy Romance
Original Language: zh
Release Date: 1963-11-01
Popularity:
Circuit-A-Go-Go
Overview: Rally themed entry in the Wakadaisho series
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-12-31
Popularity:
Young Guy in Rio
Overview: Yuzo Kayama visits Brazil
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-07-13
Popularity:
Young Guy - Freshman
Overview: Young Guy graduates from University.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1969-01-01
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Young Guy in New Zealand
Overview: Yuzo Kayama visits New Zealand
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date:
Popularity:
Young Guy - The Sky is Ours!
Overview: Yuzo Kayama does skydiving.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1970-08-14
Popularity:
Wakadaisho vs Aodaisho
Overview: Aodaisho finally graduates
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1971-01-09
Popularity: