Joe Butterfly (1957): cast, story & where to watch
1957 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 1957, Joe Butterfly is a comedy film directed by Jesse Hibbs, running about 90 minutes. “The Uproarious Saga of Those Hilarious Heroes Who Took Tokyo in a Storm of Laughter with their Riotous Operation Kimono!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The staff of "Yank" magazine are among the first American troops into Tokyo after the Japanese surrender. Their mission: produce an issue of the magazine...in three days. To accomplish the seeming impossible, they reluctantly enlist the aid of black marketeer and arch-conniver Joe Butterfly, who sets them up in a palatial private mansion, complete with lovely daughter -- strictly against regulations. How much trouble can our heroes talk their way out of?
Who’s in it. Joe Butterfly stars George Nader as Sgt. Ed Kennedy, Audie Murphy as Pvt. Joe Woodley, Keenan Wynn as Harold Hathaway and Keiko Shima as Chieko, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, Joe Butterfly has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Joe Butterfly page.
If you liked it. Fans of Joe Butterfly tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Joe Butterfly (1957)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Joe Butterfly change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Joe Butterfly worth watching?
- Joe Butterfly holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Joe Butterfly?
- Joe Butterfly stars George Nader, Audie Murphy, Keenan Wynn, Keiko Shima and Fred Clark.
- When was Joe Butterfly released?
- Joe Butterfly was released in 1957, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.