Three films, including 'A 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

The CS broadcast 'Satellite Theater' will air three films for the first time on TV in April, under the special feature 'Missing Films: Miraculously Surviving Films Revived,' which features works where parts of the original film negatives were lost due to damage or other reasons.

These were phantom films that once graced the screen but were thought to be 'never seen again' due to war damage, film deterioration, and other reasons. Fragments of them have been miraculously discovered and restored. We will present 'A Diary of a Drunkard,' the second oldest surviving Shochiku film; 'Asataro's Song of Akagi,' which captures the essence of wandering gambler stories with the hit theme song 'Lullaby of Akagi' by singer Taro Shoji; and 'The Century Laughs Digital Restoration Version,' a supreme entertainment drama by the master director Masahiro Makino, which was discovered in Russia. Please enjoy these three valuable works!

'A Diary of a Drunkard' ©1921 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

A Diary of a Drunkard

[Broadcast Date] April 1st (Wed) from 8:30 AM and others. First time on TV!

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. A film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Doppo Kunikida.

Taiga (Iwata), a simple elementary school principal, is at a loss after the school's donation money is stolen. At that time, he finds 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 suicide with their beloved child. Despairing, Taiga quits his job and moves to the isolated Oshima island. However, his life there becomes a daily routine of soaking in alcohol...

*Of the approximately 66-minute original film, about 30 minutes remain.

'The Century Laughs Digital Restoration Version' ©1941 Nikkatsu Corporation

The Century Laughs Digital Restoration Version

[Broadcast Date] April 3rd (Fri) from 5:45 PM and others. First time on TV!

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 by director Masahiro Makino, co-starring Kyoji Sugi, Yukiko Todoroki, Torazo Hirosawa (rokyoku chanting), and Tensho Shokyokusai (magic).

The Tsurukame-za theater in a coastal town overlooking the Sea of Japan. While Kansai rokyoku chanter Uemon Matsunakaken (Konparu) performs to an empty audience, the town's public bath is filled with applause. The performers are the duo of 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 the lack of customers is due to his Naniwabushi chanting, and he is terribly ashamed. Unaware of this, Sugino is ecstatic when the owner's daughter, Ofumi, invites him to see a waterfall in the mountains the next day. The next day, Sugino eagerly goes to the mountain, but is heartbroken when Ofumi unexpectedly confesses her feelings for Taizo...

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