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A Majority of One

Play trailer Poster for A Majority of One 1961 2h 33m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Since her beloved son was killed in World War II, Bertha Jacoby (Rosalind Russell) has nursed a grudge against the entire country of Japan. But when her son-in-law (Ray Danton) is offered a diplomatic position in Tokyo, he and her daughter (Madlyn Rhue) suggest she come and live with them. On the ship, the widowed Bertha tentatively makes friends with the courtly widower Koichi Asano (Alec Guinness). As the relationship blossoms, her daughter and son-in-law deal with their own prejudices.

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 10/18/2008
An outstanding film. Go to Full Review A.H. Weiler New York Times 09/26/2005
A wholly acceptable, truly heartwarming and entertaining affair despite its exotic ingredients. Go to Full Review Louie Robinson Jet Magazine 01/16/2024
[A] fine, memorable motion picture. Go to Full Review Robin Karney Radio Times 01/08/2018
1/5
Quite painful to behold. Go to Full Review TV Guide 01/08/2018
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 03/23/2012
C+
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 Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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04/22/2021 This is a wonderful film. I have fallen in love with this film. I have a vhs copy of it & when i saw the front it looked like a silly screwball comedy. So i didn't think it was going to be any good but i was completely wrong it's wonderful See more wer s 12/22/2020 tact, heroes facing tough choices, quiet but strong romantic motive, accurate portray of rather poisonous state mechanisms, nice interiors and costumes See more steve d 07/19/2020 Terribly miscast undercutting any message it is trying to send. See more 10/10/2017 If you can ignore the miscasting, it's a charming movie. See more 09/28/2017 beautiful scenery and acting See more 02/17/2016 Between a 6/10 and 7/10, A Majority of One is as relevant today as it was when it was first released in 1961. See more Read all reviews
A Majority of One

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Mervyn LeRoy

Director

Rosalind Russell

Mrs. Bertha Jacoby

Alec Guinness

Koichi Asano

Ray Danton

Jerome Black

Madlyn Rhue

Alice Black

Mae Questel

Mrs. Esther "Essie" Rubin

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A Majority of One

A Majority of One (1961) A Majority of One (1961) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Since her beloved son was killed in World War II, Bertha Jacoby (Rosalind Russell) has nursed a grudge against the entire country of Japan. But when her son-in-law (Ray Danton) is offered a diplomatic position in Tokyo, he and her daughter (Madlyn Rhue) suggest she come and live with them. On the ship, the widowed Bertha tentatively makes friends with the courtly widower Koichi Asano (Alec Guinness). As the relationship blossoms, her daughter and son-in-law deal with their own prejudices.
Director
Mervyn LeRoy
Producer
Mervyn LeRoy
Screenwriter
Leonard Spigelgass
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Mervyn LeRoy
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 27, 1961, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 18, 2009
Runtime
2h 33m