Sayonara

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Sayōnara is Japanese for 'goodbye'.

Sayonara
original movie poster
Directed by	Joshua Logan
Produced by	William Goetz
Written by	James Michener (novel) Paul Osborn
Starring	Marlon Brando Patricia Owens James Garner Martha Scott Miiko Taka Miyoshi Umeki Red Buttons Ricardo Montalban
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date(s)	December 5, 1957 (USA)
Running time	147 min.
Language	English Japanese
IMDb profile

Sayonara is a 1957 film which tells the story of an American Air Force flier who was a fighter "Ace" during the Korean War. It was adapted by Paul Osborn from the novel by James Michener. Produced by William Goetz, it was directed by Joshua Logan. Unlike most '50s romantic dramas, Sayonara deals squarely with racism and prejudice. [1]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

"Ace" Gruver, stationed at Itami Air Force Base (now Osaka International Airport) near Kobe, Japan, falls in love with a Japanese entertainer (a Takarazuka performer), who he meets through his enlisted crew chief, Airman Kelly. Kelly married a Japanese girl, Katsumi, in spite of the disapproval of the United States Military, which will not recognize the marriage. When Airman Kelly is ordered back to the United States without being allowed to take his pregnant Japanese wife, Kelly and Katsumi commit suicide, which strengthens Major Gruver's resolve to marry his Japanese lover. When asked by a Stars and Stripes reporter what will he say to both the "big brass" as well as the Japanese, neither of which will be particularly happy, Major Gruver says "Tell them I said 'Sayonara.'" This ending differs from that of the book, in which Gruver says "sayonara" to his Japanese girlfriend and returns to the States.