The Courageous Coward

Plot Summary

Sessue Hayakawa was making the transition from Asian villain to sympathetic hero in this picture. The plot is a combination of racial stereotypes that were common in the U.S. during the silent era and real-life situations experienced by Asians living Stateside. Hayakawa plays Suki Iota, a student who, while born and bred in America, wants a wife with traditional Japanese values. She appears in the form of Rei (Tsuru Aoki, Hayakawa's real-life wife), a singer who becomes known as the Japanese Nightingale.

Top Cast

Sessue Hayakawa Suki Iota

Tsuru Aoki Rei Oaki

Toyo Fujita Tangi

George Hernandez Big Bill Kirby

Francis McDonald Tom Kirby (as Francis J. McDonald)