Three films, including 'A Diary of a Drunkard,' to be broadcast on TV for the first time in April! 'Missing Films: Miraculously Surviving Films are Revived' on CS Satellite Theater

On the CS broadcast channel "Satellite Theater," a special feature titled "Missing Films: Miraculously Surviving Films are Revived" will air in April, presenting the first-ever television broadcast of three films that were partially lost due to damage or other reasons to their original negatives.

These are phantom films that once graced the screen but were thought to be "never seen again" due to war damage, film degradation, or other causes. Fragments of these films have been miraculously discovered and brought back to life. We will present 'A Diary of a Drunkard,' the second-oldest surviving Shochiku film; 'Asataro Akagi no Uta,' which features the hit song 'Akagi's Lullaby' by singer Taro Shoji and embodies the essence of wandering gambler stories; and 'The Century Laughs (Digital Remastered Version),' a supreme entertainment drama by the master director Masahiro Makino, which was discovered in Russia. Don't miss this chance to see these three precious works!

'A Diary of a Drunkard' ©1921 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

A Diary of a Drunkard (Shuchu Nikki)

[Broadcast Date] April 1st (Wed) from 8:30 AM, among other times. First TV broadcast!

1921

[Director] Zamu Kako

[Original Story] Doppo Kunikida

[Screenplay] Daisuke Ito

[Cast] Yukichi Iwata, Utako Suzuki, Yachiyo Shizuka, Shoichi Nodera, Goro Okamoto, Chiyoko Mimura

The second-oldest surviving Shochiku film. An adaptation of the novel of the same name by Doppo Kunikida.

Taiga (Iwata), a simple elementary school principal, is at a loss after the school's donation money is stolen. At that time, he finds a bag full of money and hides it at home, intending to use it for the school. His wife accidentally discovers it, takes the blame, and commits suicide with their beloved child. Despairing, Taiga quits his job and moves to the remote Oshima Island. However, his life there becomes a daily cycle of drinking...

*Of the original runtime of approximately 66 minutes, about 30 minutes survive.

'The Century Laughs (Digital Remastered Version)' ©1941 Nikkatsu Corporation

The Century Laughs (Digital Remastered Version)

[Broadcast Date] April 3rd (Fri) from 5:45 PM, among other times. First TV broadcast!

1941

[Director] Masahiro Makino

[Screenplay] Hideo Oguni

[Cast] Kyoji Sugi, Yukiko Todoroki, Hisao Yoshitani, Kanshō Yoshii, Tensho Shokyokusai, Torazo Hirosawa, Mantaro Ushio, and others.

A human-interest drama by director Masahiro Makino, co-starring Kyoji Sugi, Yukiko Todoroki, Torazo Hirosawa (Naniwa-bushi recitation), and Tensho Shokyokusai (magic).

In the Tsurukame-za theater of a coastal town overlooking the Sea of Japan, as the Kansai Naniwa-bushi performer Uemon Matsunakaken (Konparu) gives a solo performance to an empty house, the town's public bathhouse is roaring with applause. The performers are the duo of Taizo Hirota (Hirosawa) and Bonsaku Sugino (Sugi). Their main business is a Chinese soba shop. When Hirota happens to make a delivery to the Tsurukame-za's owner (Suzuki), he is mortified to learn that his own Naniwa-bushi is the cause of the poor attendance. Unaware of this, Sugino is overjoyed when the owner's daughter, Ofumi, invites him to see a waterfall in the mountains the next day. The following day, Sugino eagerly goes to the mountain but is devastated when Ofumi unexpectedly confesses her feelings for Taizo...

*Of the original runtime of approximately 103 minutes, about 94 minutes survive....