Scandal (1950)

In the serene tranquility of Kappazawa, two individuals from the world of fame and artistry cross paths. Miyako Saijo, an acclaimed singer with a penchant for privacy, and Ichirô Aoye, a motorbiking artist with a modicum of fame, find their destinies intertwined. Ichirô, on a painting expedition, encounters Miyako who has missed her bus back to the resort at Kaminoyu, where they both find themselves lodged. Their innocent acquaintance is captured by a lurking paparazzo from the scandal sheet Amour, setting off a whirlwind of undesired publicity. Hori, the unscrupulous publisher of Amour, decides to exploit this accidental encounter, spinning a salacious tale of scandal around a single photograph of Miyako and Ichirô taken on her balcony. Unfazed by the potential of a lawsuit, Hori proceeds to defame the duo, banking on his past experiences where celebrities have either relished the spotlight or refrained from legal action due to fear or busy schedules. But Ichirô defies the norm, deciding to fight back against the defamatory onslaught. He hires Otokichi Hiruta, a seeming ambulance-chaser, moved by the plight of Hiruta's bedridden daughter, Miyako, who despite suffering from tuberculosis, manifests an air of purity that Ichirô believes could only have been instilled by her parents. However, as this riveting drama unfolds, Hiruta's integrity is challenged when he is tempted by a bribe designed to sabotage the case, a desperate solution to fund his ailing daughter's treatment. This tale of scandal, justice, and morality thus spirals into a captivating struggle, where the personal lives of Ichirô, Miyako, and Hiruta intertwine with their quest for justice, leading to profound consequences for all involved.

Scandal is a drama movie featuring Toshirō Mifune.

Scandal is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex, Plex Player and Tubi TV and it's also available on Criterion Channel.