The Crimson Kimono

Samuel Fuller at his best. In the framework of an entertaining and effective genre film, a police thriller, he presents a still-topical social problem in a colourful and sensitive way. The protagonists are the police detectives Charlie Bancroft and Joe Kojaku, who are old friends from the Korean War. Joe is a so-called Nisei, an American of Japanese parents, but he feels all American. Together they are put onto solving the murder of a striptease dancer. There is a painting of the victim wearing the kimono from the title. The detectives visit the painting’s maker, Christine Down. Both men fall in love with her, which puts their friendship to the test. During a kendo match between the partners, Joe is not able to control his jealousy and frustrations and in complete contravention of the rules of the the noble Japanese sport, he almost kills Charlie. He accuses his mate of racism and can’t yet see it is just a question of jealousy. Despite their problems with each other, the cops get on the trail of the murderer in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles and a spectacular chase ensures against the background of the Japanese new year celebrations. In a functional way Fuller has managed to integrate many exotic Japanese elements and also built in the issues of racism, integration and respect for other cultures. GjZ