Pacific Stars & Stripes, Monday 4th August 1958 (Page 19)

Sumo to Go Hollywood As Pitcher

    HOLLYWOOD (AP) - Japanese sumo wrestler Ryuzo Demura has been brought, to Hollywood from Tokyo by Paramount Studios to play with comedian Jerry Lewis in "The Geisha Boy."
    Demura, who does not speak a word of English, will play the role of Ichiyama, a baseball pitcher who gets involved with Lewis In Japan.
    Demura was selected for his unique face and size. He stands 6-6 and weighs over 300 pounds. He has huge feet and the studio had to fit him with special baseball shoes for the film.
    While he has never played baseball in his life, Demura's assignment is to pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in one of the key scenes in the film.
    Sessue Hayakawa, Marie MacDonald, Suzanne Pleschette and Japanese actress Nobu McCarthy are also in the cast.