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.