The Mike Wallace Interview: Miyoshi Umeki (1959)
Фильм және анимация
The Mike Wallace Interview
Record date: April 20, 1959
Executive producer: Ted Yates Jr. Producer: Al Ramrus. Director: Max Miller. Writer: Sanford Sheldon. Host: Mike Wallace. Featured guest: Miyoshi Umeki.
Preserved by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.
Miyoshi Umeki (1929-2007) led a multifaceted and historically significant career as one of the few actors of Asian descent to attain prominence in Hollywood motion pictures, television and on Broadway. She was the first Asian woman to receive an Academy Award, winning Best Supporting Actress for "Sayonara" (1957). Her next starring role in the stage (1958) and film (1961) adaptations of "Flower Drum Song" also broke new ground: it was the first Broadway musical to feature a predominantly Asian and Asian American cast, and garnered Umeki a Tony Award nomination. An accomplished vocalist, Umeki appeared on many popular variety TV shows and earned a regional Emmy Award for Outstanding Female Personality in 1958. She co-starred in the ABC sitcom "The Courtship of Eddie’s Father" (1969-1972), which was one of the first American primetime TV shows with an Asian or Asian American leading role. For three seasons on the Emmy-nominated program, Umeki portrayed the beloved housekeeper and moral and emotional pillar to a single-parent family.
Learn more from our blog: ucla.in/3ewpJxw
Пікірлер: 84
Mike Wallace is a certified Ding Dong here and she patiently layed him out with soft spoken kindness. Powerful, talented woman right there. Good on you, Miyoshi.
Mike Wallace has the charm, compassion and understanding of a brick wall.
@LostVampireNSFV
2 жыл бұрын
Ha! Ha! Good one.
@artyj3565
2 жыл бұрын
He could have helped her along when she was obviously struggling to find the words to express herself fully. Also, I was expecting him to pat the " Sweet, innocent, naive little foreigner" on the head, such it seemed, was his demeanor toward her. I like Mike Wallace but this interview was obviously conducted in the ways of the social mindset of the time. Taking on a somewhat patronizing tone. An interpreter should've been on hand, not to answer for her, but to help give clarity of meaning to the questions posed and the fullness of her responses. *Side note: Knowing she was not terribly fluent in English, I found it rather Pompous of Mr. Wallace in his use of (for example) the word "Idiom" when addressing her (along with other words or phrases) that he could have presented in accordance to her beginners English skill set. (Superiority complex) ...Show off...!
@lancejones8073
2 жыл бұрын
in 1959, Wallace did not seem to have the patience to deal with someone whose English is still developing - maybe because he had only a half hour. He could not know her mind-set as someone transitioning from her native Japanese to a new language. Teaching Englsh as a second language to Mandarin speaking Chinese, I did not learn Mandarin but I did learn where they had difficulty with English in the transition. It's a shame Wallace did not have some of this understanding - it would have made for a better interview. Still, Myoshi handled herself well in a difficult situation. Kudos to her!
@UnderTheMillkyWay
Жыл бұрын
@@artyj3565 couldn't agree more. It's hard for these types of personalities to give an inch of their personality and also shed their persona for people in general and it's a major turnoff. He lacks compassion as well like so many do in the industry.
@RaineStudio
Жыл бұрын
He reduced more than one interviewee to tears. Being a schmuck was his trademark.
Miyoshi Umeki was so beautiful and her demeanor so graceful and kind. My favorite movie of all time is “Sayonara”. May she be resting in peace❣️
What a wonderfull person. I am highly impressed with her personality and compassion for people. Bless Her.
@finallythere100
2 жыл бұрын
And her grace and eloquence. Women in America have lost so much grace with all that was gained. It is understandable, but it would be nice for women to be more, well, feminine. Most of us could use a little influence from this late, lovely woman, who has qualities of both.
@January.
Жыл бұрын
*wonderful
@5thdimension625
Жыл бұрын
@@finallythere100 thanks to feminism. It was a total psyop to undermine womanhood to the core.
My mother is named after this woman. So it’s fun to be able to learn about her. Rest In Peace. God Bless
What a wonderful and sweet woman.
Beautiful, beautiful Miyoshi. Have always loved her.
My Japanese mother-in-law was of the same generation as Umeki and came to the US in the late 50's. If Mike Wallace had interrogated her like this, I would have knocked his block off. What a creepy guy he always was. Umeki was a great actress and entertainer.
She was a jazz singer in Japan I think. Ms. Umeki was very beautiful and talented.
Miyoshi was my first tv mom that I watched when my mom had to work all the time as a single mother . I'm glad as a child I got to watch and spend time with Miyoshi . I love her ❤️ And I love my mom to 🌹❤️ Joey⚓
I miss her!
It’s always a weird thing for interviewers to ask an actor or actress about politics. And rude to ask deeply personal questions. He could have easily asked more general questions about the difference in cultures without setting her up to say something that could harm her personally or professionally. She handled him very well. I guess this is just normal for celebrity interviews? What a weird media landscape we live in.
GOd I wish Wallace would shut up and let Miyoshi talk!
She was great in the film "Flower Drum Song."
I still can't help hearing "Oh yes Mr Eddies father"
What a beautiful and sensitive soul is Miyoshi.
I feel like punching Mike Wallace in his mouth how he is approaching her with the manner nature of his questions thrown at her but watching her how she conducts herself towards the comments and questions he is asking her I would rather have the grace, kindness and patience she reflects than the rudeness and aggressiveness Wallace has.
I don't understand why people are criticizing Mike Wallace. It seemed like a cordial interview to me.
I've always disliked the idea of placing the burden of an entire race on the shoulders of a guest. I get why the questions were asked of her but she clearly looked uncomfortable being put in the position of having to comment on people she did not know personally simply because they and she were Japanese. But that was the norm back then. But a lot of those questions, sheesh. They make my skin crawl. I can only imagine how she must have felt being asked to comment on all of that stuff.
I just love Miyoshi Umeki. She made so few movies.
NTA Telestudios were located at 1481 Broadway. Nine years after this was taped, WOR-TV (Channel 9) moved their Broadcast Center (studios, telecine, master control) to that address.
Obviously a complex and difficult clash of history and cultures. Touching.
Known for playing Katsumi Kelly in "Sayonara" and Mei Li in "Flower Drum Song"
She's so lovely.
Tom Powell Too bad he railroaded her into political conversation. Then he continues to push her into conflict with tradition
Somehow, this interview made me sad. Not so much by the trademark-in-the-making standard Mike Wallace interview style, but to know that I did not realize that such an angel was just a housekeeper on "The Courtship Of Eddie's Father" with Bill Bixby. I would have loved to see her and Michelle Yeoh together in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon""
@mrequi1
Жыл бұрын
But she got 2nd Billing on that show and a long exclusive screen credit on the beginning of every show. That's worth serious coin right there.
@mattdylan664
6 ай бұрын
@@mrequi1 you're correct, i've been re-watching the series and just now double checked and Miyoshi Umeki's name is the second one listed right after Bill Bixby during the opening credit sequences. i'm not sure why this interview appeared in my suggestions box here on YT as it was recorded almost eight years prior to my birth - i'm just grateful it did. what a beautiful, well spoken and inspiring human being, if only we all had her patience , wisdom and compassion.
@mrequi1
6 ай бұрын
@@mattdylan664 Well said
@Mozart2Muse
4 ай бұрын
Oh, but she wasn't "just a housekeeper" at all.
@mrequi1
4 ай бұрын
@@Mozart2Museshe was an amazing incredible woman
Mrs Livingston, The courtship of eddies father. Loved her
Wallace was thrown for a loop here. He was expecting to talk with this sophisticated Hollywood star about US-Japanese relations and found himself before this shy girl who didn't have the opinions and experience he was expecting of her.
@freemagicfun
Жыл бұрын
No, it was just Wallace being an ass, as usual. He has an actress on and he wants to grill her on politics, the war... what a buffoon. She responded with grace and charm. 😎
...... and a great pop/jazz singer. Do your ears a favor and give her a listen.
Now we know where son Chris gets his rudeness from. What a talented and classy woman! Myoshi was! RIP.
What an awful interviewer. He was mean and quite rude.
@vm3813
Жыл бұрын
Agreed. Wouldn’t take his rude drunken foot off the gas!!
Look at Mike
Didn't she play the housekeeper on "the Courtship of Eddie's Father" back in the 60's? I thought when I watched it, there was some chemistry between them?
What a Creepshow he was!.. such condescending invasive creepy questions!! Interrogation with a side of shame..no thanks! 🤮
Miyoshi was such a sweet, kind, down to earth woman. Too bad Mike Wallace decided to act like a real tool toward her with his line of questioning. R.I.P. Miyoshi. You were beloved by many…..
The smoke...😆
I think Miyoshi lived in Sherman Oaks.
She is so feminine! Her voice is so female. Everything about her is, just...woman. If you are a woman, when you watch and listen to her do you feel kind of masculine? Serious question.
I loved and trusted this guy all my life. A great journalist in a time before fake , prepared or homemade news. A genuine reporter of the truth.
Sad that Mike has to smoke and have his hand all the time in front of his mouth while he speaks. Not respectful and hard to lip read.Be Blessed P.S. As foreigners trying to learn a language it is very usefull to see the lips also if one's hearing is not so good lip reading is so helpfull ?
There's one race. It's called the human race.
@jayonnaj18
Жыл бұрын
Amen, jaelredfern, and a race is something you RUN anyway! There is only ONE GOD, and He made EVERYBODY the way HE SAW FIT! What a pretty, sweet person Miyoshi Yumeki was, and Mike Wallace was a crumb in this interview!
Mike Wallace.....it was an absolutely horrendous interview
Who the hell is this person interviewing her?? She's obviously at a huge disadvantage with her limited English, and he's taking advantage of that. To tell the truth she should not have been on a show like this,
@marymenatti9175
Жыл бұрын
I don’t think her English is bad. She is extremely intelligent. (I have trouble finding words quickly) She holds her own nicely. Of course, I am such a fan that I could be partial.
Jesus, what a bunch of judgemental pricks in these comments. Wallace and Umeki clearly have a cultural and language barrier to navigate and they're both doing the best they can.
@freemagicfun
Жыл бұрын
She is an actress. In an almost 30 minute interview he asks about her play for about a minute and a half. The rest of the time he wanted to debate the war and politics? He is an ass and a buffoon - as he always was. He is one of the worst interviewers of all time. So puffed up with is own self importance.
@Mozart2Muse
4 ай бұрын
Amen.
Her husband must have considered himself a very lucky man.
I read she destroyed her own Oscar .
Mike was a great journalist, but this interview was way over his head. This did no justice to this lovely woman's character.
Her English is good but kind of halting and she has to search for certain words in 1959. Yet her sining on several You-tubes clips is without an accent. It's funny how accents can disappear when singing.
Make Wallace sounds like sexist ass here. I was surprised by this view of him. She was way smarter than he could comprehend
John shpuld have married her instead of ypkp.
Mike Wallace with his dirty and stinky cigarette 🚬
Why is Wallace asking her all these politcally charge questions? She was an actress not a politician. Stupid and disappointing.