MASTERPIECE THEATRE: THE GINGER TREE {EPISODE 3} (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This program presents part three of a four-part adaptation of Oswald Wynd's novel about a Scottish woman who marries a British military attache in 1903 and tries to carve out a life for herself over several decades in an oppressive Asian society. First, Alistair Cooke introduces the presentation. This part begins with Mary Mackenzie tearfully missing her baby Taro. One day, Baroness Aiko Onnodera tries to get Mary a job at Tsushimaya, a prominent clothier's business. Ultimately, owner Hirushi Tsushima hires her as a saleslady on the condition that she will design modern western clothes which can then be sold in his shop. Soon, Mary is learning how to be a proper Japanese saleslady for Tsushimaya, a most exhausting job. Nevertheless, Mary refuses to accept money sent by her former lover Count Kentaro Kurihama. Meanwhile, Mary must race to design her clothing line, as the store has already heavily promoted it, going so far as to have scheduled a fashion show. Finally, Mary's "Edinburgh Collection" is released with much fanfare, quickly being snapped up by Japanese women. Meanwhile, Mary keeps running into the same man on the tram, Akira Suzuki, a student who is excited to learn English. Mary makes a deal with him: She'll teach him English if he teaches her Japanese. Soon enough, Akira asks Mary to marry him, though she must turn the young man down as she is still officially married to Richard Collingsworth. One day, one of Tsushimaya's most important clients, Countess Kurihama, visits, requiring a full wardrobe as her husband -- Kentaro -- has just been made military attache in London. Mary wonders if the countess is aware of her past relationship with Kentaro and whether she is trying to "punish" her. Mary is even put into the awkward position of personally taking the countess's measurements. Later, using the store's client address list, a furious Mary is able to track down Kentaro at his home, demanding to know where Taro is. Kentaro says that Taro is safe with his adopted family. The next day, Hirushi calls Mary into his office, making her the first female head of the department and raising her salary considerably. He also gives her an immediate holiday. Mary capitalizes on the two free days by going with Aiko to the villa of Aiko's ex-husband. Returning to work, Mary is now instructing women on how to greet customers. Also, Mary learns that the countess has canceled her big order. One night, Mary finds Akira snooping around her house. Bringing him inside, Akira reveals that Kentaro had hired him to spy on Mary. After three years of working at Tsushimaya, Mary is given an important task, revitalizing the women's department in the Nagoya store. Though unsure if she wants to leave Tokyo, an earthquake seems to make the decision for her -- she will refuse the job in Nagoya and stay with her new missionary friends in Tokyo. Angering Hirushi with her decision, Mary opts to take out a loan and open her own clothing shop, offering double salaries to women from Tsushimaya to work for her. Ultimately, Kentaro visits Mary, wondering if she has forgotten him. She replies that she still remembers Taro.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: October 28, 1990 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:54:55
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:30021
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Marilyn Hall … Executive Producer
- Naonori Kawamura … Executive Producer
- Alan Shallcross … Executive Producer
- Juliet Gitterman … Co-Executive Producer
- Tim Ironside Wood … Producer
- Nick Hawkins … Associate Producer
- Anthony Garner … Director
- Christopher Hampton … Writer
- Oswald Wynd … Based upon the novel by
- Dominic Muldowney … Music by
- Samantha Bond … Cast, Mary Mackenzie
- Fumi Dan … Cast, Baroness Aiko Onnodera
- Hironori Wada … Cast, Taro (3 months old)
- Tetsuro Tamba … Cast, Hirushi Tsushima
- Takashi Sasano … Cast, Hinobe
- Shigeru Murol … Cast, Minagawa
- Kae Shimada … Cast, Mrs. Yamanuchi
- Nanako Tsukamoto … Cast, Miss Arima
- Haruko Satsuki … Cast, Mrs. Katsura
- Toshi Sloya … Cast, Akira Suzuki
- Mari Shirato … Cast, Countess Kurihama
- Joanna McCallum … Cast, Alicia Bassett-Hill
- Colin Stinton … Cast, Bob Dale
- Barbara Barnes … Cast, Emma Lou Dale
- Ryan Coleman … Cast, Richard Dale (3 months old)
- Ryan Le-Neveu … Cast, Bob Dale Junior
- Richard Nowacki … Cast, Charles Dale
- Alexander Davenport … Cast, Richard Dale (3 years old)
- Billie Trubridge … Cast, Daniel Dale
- Daisuke Ryu … Cast, Count Kentaro Kurihama