Mori Kazuo (森一生)
Kazuo MORI (January 15, 1911-June 29, 1989) was a film director in the Showa period.
He was also commonly called 'Issei MORI.'
He was born in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and entered Nikkatsu Uzumasa movie studio in 1933 after graduation from Faculty of Letters, Kyoto Imperial University.
After that, he transferred to Shinko Cinema and debuted as a director with "Adauchi hizakurige" in 1936 after serving as an assistant director of Daisuke ITO (a film director). Then, he transferred to Daiei, which absorbed Shinko Cinema and made "Osaka shonin" (Osaka merchant) and others, but was soon called up for military service.
After demobilization, he attracted attention with his film "Ketto Kagiya no Tsuji" (The Duel at the Key-Maker's Corner), the script of which was written by Akira KUROSAWA. In 1959, "Hakuoki" starring Shintaro KATSU and Raizo ICHIKAWA (the eighth) was well received. In addition, "Aru koroshiya" (Some assassin) got attention in 1967 with a new type of hero played by Raizo ICHIKAWA. He loved children and said, 'Children are gods and goddesses' recalling "Daimajin gyakushu" (Majin Strikes Again) in which child actors were active.
After the bankruptcy of Daiei in 1971, he produced many TV dramas including "Monjiro KOGARASHI," "Zatoichi monogatari" (Zatoichi Story) and "Seishi YOKOMIZO series." He died on June 29, 1989. He died in his 79th year (at the age of 78).
He rendered distinguished service in the golden age of Daiei period dramas and had many fans thanks to his unique way of speaking.