Three films including 'Diary of a Drunkard' to be broadcast on TV for the first time in April! "Missing Films: Miraculously Surviving Films Revived" on CS Satellite Theater

These are phantom films that were once thought to be "never seen again" due to war damage, film deterioration, and other reasons, despite once gracing the screen. Fragments were miraculously discovered and revived. We will deliver the second oldest surviving Shochiku film, 'Diary of a Drunkard'; 'Asataro Akagi's Song,' which features the hit song "Akagi's Lullaby" by singer Taro Shoji and showcases the essence of wandering gambler stories; and 'The Century Laughs Digital Restoration Version,' a supreme entertainment drama by the master Masahiro Makino, discovered in Russia. Please enjoy these three valuable works!

Diary of a Drunkard

[Broadcast Date] April 1st (Wed) at 8:30 AM and other times. First TV broadcast!

1921

[Director] Zamu Kako

[Original Story] Doppo Kunikida

[Screenplay] Daisuke Ito

[Cast] Yukichi Iwata, Utako Suzuki, Yachiyo Shizuka, Shoichi Nodera, Goro Okamoto, Chiyoko Mimura

The second oldest surviving Shochiku film. An adaptation of Doppo Kunikida's novel of the same name.

A simple elementary school principal, Okawa (Iwata), is at a loss when the school's donation money is stolen. At that time, he picks up a bag full of money and hides it at home, intending to use it for the school. His wife, who accidentally discovers it, takes the blame and commits a double suicide with their beloved child. In despair, Okawa quits his job and moves to the remote Oshima Island. However, his life there becomes a daily routine of drinking...

*Of the recorded approximately 66-minute runtime, about 30 minutes survive.

The Century Laughs Digital Restoration Version

[Broadcast Date] April 3rd (Fri) at 5:45 PM and other times. First TV broadcast!

1941

[Director] Masahiro Makino

[Screenplay] Hideo Oguni

[Cast] Kyoji Sugi, Yukiko Todoroki, Hisao Yoshitani, Kanshō Yoshii, Tensho Shokyokusai, Torazo Hirosawa, Mantaro Ushio, and others.

A human drama directed by Masahiro Makino, co-starring Kyoji Sugi, Yukiko Todoroki, Torazo Hirosawa (rokyoku), and Tensho Shokyokusai (magic).

The Tsurukame-za theater in a coastal town overlooking the Sea of Japan. While the Kansai rokyoku singer Uemon Matsuchiken (Konparu) performs to an empty house, the town's public bath is roaring with applause. The performers are the duo Taizo Hirota (Hirosawa) and Bonsaku Sugino (Sugi). Their main business is a Chinese noodle shop. When Hirota happens to make a delivery to the Tsurukame-za, the theater owner (Suzuki) tells him that his naniwabushi performance is the reason for the poor attendance, leaving him extremely embarrassed. Unaware of this, Sugino is overjoyed when the owner's daughter, Ofumi, invites him to see a waterfall in the mountains the next day. The following day, Sugino eagerly heads to the mountain, only to be heartbroken when Ofumi unexpectedly confesses her feelings for Taizo...

*Of the original approximately 103 minutes, about 94 minutes survive....