The Courageous Coward

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 HayakawaSuki Iota

Tsuru AokiRei Oaki

Toyo FujitaTangi

George HernandezBig Bill Kirby

Francis McDonaldTom Kirby (as Francis J. McDonald)

Charles A. PostCupid (as Buddy Post)