Mansaku Itami (伊丹万作; real name Yoshitoyo Ikeuchi 池内義豊; 2 January 1900 – 21 September 1946) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter known for his critical, sometimes satirical portraits of Japan and its history. He is the father of the director Juzo Itami.

Career

Originally from Matsuyama, Ehime, Itami joined the Nikkatsu studio in 1927, but the very next year moved to the actor Chiezō Kataoka's company, Chiezō Productions, where he made his directorial debut with Adauchi Ruten.

Filmography

  • Adauchi Ruten (仇討流転) (1928)
  • Zoku Banka Jigoku: Dai Ippen (Elegy of Hell) (1928)
  • The Peerless Patriot (国士無双 Kokushi musō) (1932)
  • Chuji Uridasu (1935)
  • Akanishi Kakita (Capricious Young Man) (1936)
  • Furusato (Hometown) (1937)
  • The Daughter of the Samurai, co-directed with Arnold Fanck (1937)
  • Kyojin-den (1938)

Additional Screenwriting Credits

  • Tenka Taiheiki (Peace on Earth) (1928)
  • Hōrō Zanmai (The Wandering Gambler) (1928)
  • Muhomatsu no Issho (the 1958 version is also known as Rickshaw Man; the others are also known as The Life of Matsu the Untamed) (1943, 1958, 1965)
  • Te o Tsunagu Kora (Children Hand in Hand) (1948, 1963)
  • Ore wa Yojimbo (I'm the Bodyguard) (1950)
  • Kokushi Muso (1986)

References

  • Mansaku Itami's grave
  • Itami Mansaku at Aozora Bunko (in Japanese)