Shigeta Heats Up the Silver Screen ("The Crimson Kimono" 2)

"The Crimson Kimono" 2

Italian promotional poster for "The Crimson Kimono" (1959) starring James Shigeta and Victoria Shaw.

James Shigeta's Hollywood Debut is a Breakthrough Role ("The Crimson Kimono" 1)

"The Crimson Kimono" 1

Publicity still for "The Crimson Kimono" (1959) starring James Shigeta and Victoria Shaw.

In his first film, Shigeta plays Detective Joe Kojaku in this film noir mystery directed by Samuel Fuller. While on a case in Little Tokyo, Kojaku and his partner--and best friend from when they served in the war together as members of the 442nd RCT--both fall in love with the same girl, the key witness to the crime.

Actor's Paradise? ("Paradise, Hawaiian Style" 2)

"Paradise, Hawaiian Style" 2

Still from "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" (1966) starring Elvis Presley and James Shigeta (sitting in the foreground).

Hanging with Elvis ("Paradise, Hawaiian Style" 1)

"Paradise, Hawaiian Style" 1

James Shigeta plays Elvis Presley's sidekick in "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" (1966).

Shigeta is pictured on the left alongside Elvis Presley.

Mapping Out an Actor's Career ("Midway" 2)

"Midway" 2

James Shigeta (center) as Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo in "Midway" (1976) makes battle plans with Robert Ito (right) and Pat Morita (left).

"Midway" stars a large cast headed by Charleton Heston, Henry Fonda, Glenn Ford, and Toshiro Mifune.

"Midway" into His Career ("Midway" 1)

"Midway" 1

James Shigeta plays Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, Commander of the Japanese Aircraft Strike Force that spearheads the attack on Midway.

"Midway" (1976) stars a large cast headed by Charleton Heston, Henry Fonda, Glenn Ford, and Toshiro Mifune.

Geisha Hollywood ("Cry for Happy" 3)

In "Cry for Happy" (1961), American sailors use a Tokyo "geisha house" as a base of operations for their various schemes.

Hollywood popularized the idea of geisha as kimono-wearing women of pleasure when in reality they were professional entertainers who did not engage in paid sex with their clients.

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"Cry for Happy" 3

Publicity still for "Cry for Happy" (1961).

James Shigeta is sitting on the tatami mat with his arms crossed. Also pictured are Donald O'Connor, Miyoshi Umeki, Miiko Taka and Glenn Ford.

The Occupation Service Comedies ("Cry for Happy" 2)

"Cry for Happy" 2

Publicity still from "Cry for Happy" (1961).

James Shigeta is the second from the left. Also pictured are Donald O'Connor and Glenn Ford (back of head).

A Big Year ("Cry for Happy" 1)

"Cry for Happy" 1

James Shigeta plays an American sailor in postwar Japan in the comedy "Cry for Happy" (1961). The film stars Glenn Ford and Donald O'Connor.

This is a lobby card used to promote the film. James Shigeta is the second from the right. Also pictured are Glenn Ford (center) and Donald O'Conner (far right).

Love Knows No Boundaries ("Bridge to the Sun" 3)

"Bridge to the Sun" 3

Leading man James Shigeta shares an on screen embrace with Carroll Baker in "Bridge to the Sun" (1961).

A Diplomat in Time of War ("Bridge to the Sun" 2)

"Bridge to the Sun" 2

Another still from "Bridge to the Sun" (1961) starring Carroll Baker and James Shigeta.

Based on a True Story ("Bridge to the Sun" 1)

"Bridge to the Sun" is a 1961 film, directed by Etienne Périer, starring Carroll Baker and James Shigeta.

The film is based on the 1957 autobiography "Bridge To The Sun" by Gwendolen Terasaki, which detailed events in an American woman's life and marriage to a Japanese diplomat during wartime Japan.