My Geisha (1962)
Directed by Jack Cardiff

Film Synopsis

Once he has established himself in Hollywood, French film director Paul Robaix sets out to make his most ambitious film, an adaptation of Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, filmed on location in Japan.  His wife Lucy Dell has already starred in many of his previous films and believes she is perfect for the part of the doomed heroine Cio-Cio-San.  Unfortunately, Paul has other ideas and believes that it is essential for the film's authenticity for him to cast a real Japanese geisha in the role.  Besides, he wants to prove that he can succeed on his own merits rather than depend on his wife's celebrity as an actress.  Not one to give in so easily, Lucy goes off to Japan and, with the support of producer Sam Lewis, begins taking lessons on how to become a real geisha.  It is not long before Lucy is completely transformed and, under the name Yoko Mori, not even her husband would recognise her...