Entatsu, Achako and Torazo: Chuji Kunisada's First Smile of the New Year

This early sound comedy follows the misadventures of the bumbling Chuji Kunisada and his companions Entatsu and Achako during the New Year's festivities. As they navigate traditional celebrations and encounter various eccentric characters, their attempts to bring joy and good fortune often lead to hilarious chaos and misunderstandings. The film captures the spirit of the era with its slapstick humor and lighthearted portrayal of everyday life and New Year's customs.

As an early Japanese sound comedy, the film is primarily appreciated for its historical significance and the comedic performances of its lead actors, particularly Enoken. Contemporary reviews likely focused on its entertainment value and comedic timing, typical of the genre at the time. Modern critical assessment often places it within the context of the development of Japanese cinema and popular comedy.

• Praised for its early integration of sound and comedic performances.

• Seen as a nostalgic representation of Japanese New Year traditions and humor from the late 1930s.

• Valued for its historical context within Japanese silent and early sound film comedies.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific film from 1939 is not readily available, making it difficult to provide a summary of audience sentiment. Its historical nature means it is more likely to be found in academic or specialized film archives rather than common user review platforms.

This film is notable for featuring the popular comedian Enoken (Enchō Katsura) in a leading role, who was a significant figure in Japanese popular entertainment during the pre-war and post-war periods.