乞食大将 Kojiki Taishō [1952]

This is one of the eight dramatic films that were lifted in the first round of banned film re-examinations by the Education Department of the Civil Information Bureau, but which had not yet been released. Many of the production staff and cast are still active. Based on a novel by Obutsu Jiro, serialised in the Asahi Shimbun. The screenplay was written by Yahiro Fujii (Saiyuki (1952)), directed by Matsuda Sadatsugu (Night Strike on the Pleasure Street) and filmed by Kawasaki Shintaro (Osharekazo Kyoujo). The cast includes Ichikawa Utaemon (Mito Koumon Mangyouki: Goukoku of Hell Valley), Tsukigata Ryunosuke (Oshare Kyoujo), Nakamura Yoshiko (Kansai Gekidan) and other mid-career actors currently active in period drama.