Reiko Sato by Samuel R Clemens - HTML preview

Acknowledgements

I would like extend my

gratitude towards

everyone who contributed

to this publication.

Organizations like

Ancestry, Internet

Archive, Glamour Girls of

the Silver Screen, Historic Images, Worthpoint,

Classic Images, the Los

Angeles Public Library,

Reiko Sato and David Janssen the New York Public

in From Hell to Eternity (1961) Library, California State

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University, Dominguez Hills, and the San Francisco Public Library were instrumental in helping with research that included providing articles, photographs, etc.

I appreciate the stars of Flower Drum Song (1961) and Kismet (1955) who were willing to tell me stories about Reiko Sato, as a lot of them starred alongside her on the series.

Wonci Yee (née Lui), Nancy Kwan, Patrick

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Adiarte, Barrie Chase,

Charlotte Austin, Devra

Korwin (née Kline), Sandy

Azeka, and Marilyn Horne

were among those stars.

Reiko’s bother and his

partner, Koji Sato, Kayko

Sonoda, Helen Funai, and

Rene Nakasone gave a lot

of insight into her life as well. Noel Robin of San

Antonio, Texas was a friend of Reiko’s for years, and he was provided a wealth of information about Reiko’s earlier years in Hollywood.

Larry Hama, the animator to created G.I Joes, was an acquaintance of hers. Nobuko Miyamoto (also known as Joanne Miyazaki) was her .protégé, and she wrote about her in

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her autobiography. Patricia Quinn was one of Marlon Brando’s girlfriends, so she provided some insight as to his relationship with Reiko.

Alice Marchak was his assistant, and she provided a lot of information as well since she had known Reiko for years. Christian Robert Rotter, who owns Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen, provided a lot of articles and photographs.

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References

Englund, George, (2006). “The Naked Brando: an Intimate Friendship.” Gibson Square.

A letter that Marlon Brando wrote to the author is shared.

Garnier, Philippe. (Year, Month Day). Woman on the Run: Notes on a Phantom Film. Noir City Confidential, p. 15.

This article confirms Reiko Sato being recommended by Ann Sheridan for Woman on the Run (1950).

Higham, Charles, “If He Had Any Class, He'd Have Come and Said it Himself.” Edmonton Journal, 11

Oct. 1987, p. 30.

Reiko Sato had a confrontation with Marlon Brando’s ex-wife Anna.

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“Hooks is Back in Hallelujah.” Daily News, 23 Oct.

1967, p. 25.

Reiko Sato being cast in Mata Hari is confirmed.

“Hooks is Back in Hallelujah.” Daily News, 23 Oct.

1967, p. 25.

Reiko Sato being cast in Mata Hari is confirmed.

Kikuchi, Charles, (1973). “The Kikuchi Diary: Chronicle from an American Concentration Camp.” University of Illinois Press.

The author documented his experiences with Reiko Sato and her mother during World War II.

Kilgallen, Dorothy, “The Voice of Broadway.” Visalia Times-Delta, 20 Jan. 1954, p. 4.

Reiko Sato’s injury during rehearsals for Kismet is detailed.

Koster, Henry, (1987). “Henry Koster.” Director’s Guild of America.

The author talks about Reiko Sato in Flower Drum Song (1961).

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Manso, Peter, (1994). “Brando.” Weidenfeld and Nicolson.

Reiko Sato is a caretaker, manager, and secretary at Marlon Brando’s private island, Tahiti. It is also revealed that Reiko Sato suffered a seizure.

Martin, Mildred, “Mother Didn’t Tell Me is Comedy on the Fox Screen.” The Philadelphia Enquirer, 9 Mar.

1950, p. 29.

Reiko Sato’s role in Mother Didn’t Tell Me (1950) is confirmed.

Miyamoto, Nobuko, (2021). “Not Yo' Butterfly: My Long Song of Relocation, Race, Love, and Revolution.” University of California Press.

The author discusses her friendship with Reiko Sato.

“Mayo Does Exotic Oriental Dancing,” San Angelo Standard-Times, 2 Dec. 1951, p. 57.

Reiko Sato’s appearance in The Noche Caribe Ballet is confirmed.

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McCarty, Aggie, “At the Colonial.” Dayton Daily News, 29 Jun. 1950, p. 48.

The author reviews Reiko Sato’s performance in Mother Didn’t Tell Me (1950).

“Night Club Reviews: Castaways, Las Vegas.” Variety, 5

Feb. 1964, p. 52.

Reiko Sato performed at Castaway Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nisei Week Committee. (2020, June). Nisei Week 50th Anniversary Booklet. Nisei Week.

https://niseiweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NiseiWeek-50th-Anniversary-Booklet.pdf Kats Kunitsugu talks about Reiko Sato’s performance at Nisei Week.

Okihiro, Gary, (2008). “Island World: A History of Hawai’i and the United States.” University of California Press.

The author shares that Reiko Sato

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Palmer, Zuma, “Smooth Television Production Presented By Talented Teen-Agers.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, 24 Jan. 1952, p. 28.

Reiko Sato appeared in The Anna May Show on KNBH.

“Reiko Sato for Kismet.” Hollywood Reporter, 25

Apr. 1955, p. 3.

Reiko Sato’s representation when auditioning for Kismet (1955) is confirmed.

“Reiko Sato Wins Role in Destry Rides Again.” Shin Nichi-bei - New Japanese American News, 25 Feb.

1959, p. 3.

Reiko Sato was trained by Yuriko.

Robinson, Greg, (2017). “The Great Unknown: Japanese American Sketches.” University Press of Colorado.

A lot of information is given on Reiko Sato’s childhood.

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“Sato, Chow for Target.” Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jun.

1952, p. 4.

Reiko Sato is casted in Target Hong Kong (1953).

Schallert, Edwin, “Star Kismet Dances Joining Picture.”

Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 1955, p. 23.

Reiko Sato is signed for Kismet (1955).

Sherman, Eddie, “Once Over Lightly.” The Honolulu Advertiser, 25 May. 1962, p. 15.

Reiko Sato is the daughter of a Zen Buddhist Priest.

Toffel, Neile, (1986). “My Husband, My Friend: a Memoir.” Author House.

The author says that she replaced Reiko Sato in the Broadway production of Kismet because Reiko wanted to spend more time with Marlon Brando.

Williams, Dick, “Bit Player Rako Sato.” Mirror News, 12 Jun. 1950, p. 36.

Reiko Sato’s appearance in On the Town (1949) is confirmed.

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“Vagaries.” Pacific Citizen, 20 Aug. 1949, p. 8.

Reiko Sato and Kathy Yoshizawa are cast in On the Town (1949).

Vergin, Roger, (1997). “Brando with His Guard Down.” Cabot Riley Press.

The author shares stories of Reiko Sato being stranded on Tahiti.

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Index

Adiarte, Patrick, 22-23

Janssen, David, 48

Blyth, Ann, 28

Miyamoto, Nobuko, 38, 47

Brando, Marlon, 27, 38, 47

Mother Didn’t Tell Me, 22, 47

Cole, Jack, 54-56

Mulholland Drive, 56, 68

Cox, Wally, 37

Robin, Noel

, 14, 82

Destry Rides Again, 20

Sato, Chieko, 34-36

Flower Drum Song, 27-29

Sato, Koji, 34, 72

Gray, Dolores, 12

Sheridan, Ann, 22, 27

Hama, Larry, 7, 10

Teahouse of the August Moon, 15, Hell to Eternity, 45

47

Johnny Midnight, 32

Universal Pictures, 62-65

Keel, Howard, 28

Vergin, Roger, 74

Kismet, 5, 24, 30

Woman on the Run, 10

Kwan, Nancy, 14

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About the Author

Samuel Clemens is from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an author for Sequoia Press, and he’s interviewed numerous talents in Hollywood including Eva Marie Saint, Ray Anthony, Tina Louise, Vikki Dougan, Jack Hill, Ruta Lee, and Angie Dickinson. His abilities as a researcher extend beyond this book, as he has found the whereabouts and outcomes of numerous stars including Carol Ohmart, Dolores Reed, Jean Moorhead, Kipp Hamilton, and Shirley Kilpatrick.

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He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2018, and a Master of Arts in 2019. In addition to writing, his interests include movies, traveling, research, and sports. He is bilingual in English and Japanese, and he aspires to teach English in Tokyo, Japan someday. He is currently pursuing a Master of Education while volunteering at his church, and he has various other projects in the works. He writes for Classic Images, Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen, The Galileo Observer, Western Clippings, and Films of the Golden Age.

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