A Majority of One

1961

A Majority of One (1961)

TOMATOMETER

60%

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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

61%

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Movie Info

This standard love story adapted by Leonard Spigelgass from his stage play was acclaimed when it was released for probing into the nature of prejudice. Rosalind Russell plays Mrs. Jacoby, a Jewish widow living in Brooklyn whose daughter Alice (Madlyn Rhue) is married to Jerome (Ray Danton), a U.S. diplomat newly assigned to Japan. Because of Jerome's new post, Mrs. Jacoby decides to visit the land of the rising sun, and once there, she meets Koichi Asano (Alec Guinness). Asano is a suave, sophisticated, and wealthy man with an aesthetically impressive Tokyo home. After the two meet, love starts to blossom. This was one of the rare '60s films geared to the older set but it is significant that even during this period Hollywood still chose to cast a white actor (albeit Alec Guinness!) in the role of Asano.

Cast

Alec Guinness
as Koichi Asano
Rosalind Russell
as Mrs. Jacoby
Ray Danton
as Jerome Black
Mae Questel
as Mrs. Rubin
Madlyn Rhue
as Alice Black
Marc Marno
as Eddie
Gary Vinson
as Mr. McMillon
Frank Wilcox
as Noah Putnam
Francis De Sales
as Embassy Representative
Yuki Shimoda
as Mr. Asano's secretary
Alan Mowbray
as Captain Norcross
Sharon Hugueny
as Bride
Lillian Adams
as Mrs. Stein
Harriet MacGibbon
as Mrs. Putnam
Tsuruko Kobayashi
as Mr. Asano's Daughter-in-Law
Shirley Cytron
as Neighbor
Arlen Stuart
as Neighbor
Belle Mitchell
as Neighbor
Bob Shield
as Announcer
Dale Ishimoto
as Taxi Driver
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Critic Reviews for A Majority of One

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (2)

An outstanding film.

Oct 18, 2008 | Full Review…
Variety
Top Critic

A wholly acceptable, truly heartwarming and entertaining affair despite its exotic ingredients.

Sep 26, 2005 | Full Review…
New York Times
Top Critic

Quite painful to behold.

Jan 8, 2018 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…
Radio Times

Danton and Rhue are good in nonsympathetic parts, and the whole film is amiable enough, but at a shade over two and a-half hours, it is far too long.

Jan 8, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
TV Guide

Though well intentioned in message, Mervyn LeRoy's version of the popular stage play is overacted by Rosalind Russell as the Jewish widow and miscast with Alec Guinness as the Japanese businessman

Mar 23, 2012 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…
EmanuelLevy.Com
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Audience Reviews for A Majority of One

½

Both Roz and Alec Guinness are miscast, it should have been Sessue Hayakawa and Thelma Ritter in their roles to remain true to the spirit of the piece, but they make something lovely and charming out of this film through their graceful ways, charisma and talent. It's very much of it's time and place, but most films are, and a trifle long still a gentle picture of guarded people finding a commonality of interest and finally love where none was expected. A sweet film.

jay nixon
jay nixon

Super Reviewer

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