First Yank into Tokyo

First Yank into Tokyo

Year: 1945

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: English

Director: Gordon Douglas

WarDrama

A REVELATION OF JAP ATROCITY! A U.S. pilot undergoes plastic surgery and drops into Japan to get a captive scientist’s (Marc Cramer) atomic secrets.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen First Yank into Tokyo yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – First Yank into Tokyo (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of First Yank into Tokyo (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II, 1940s

Set during World War II, the narrative unfolds in the mid-1940s as Allied and Japanese forces clash across the Pacific. The urgency of wartime science drives the plot, with the race to secure atomic bomb knowledge shaping key decisions. The period’s tensions are reflected in disguises, escapes, and the harsh realities of occupied territories.

Location

San Francisco, Tokyo, Kamuri concentration camp (near Hong Kong)

The film moves from the American home front in San Francisco to a city near Hong Kong and then to the Kamuri concentration camp, where prisoners are held and the plot unfolds. The Kamuri camp provides a stark backdrop with a hospital, a munitions depot and a site of coercion and control that illustrates the war machinery. The settings underscore the global scale of WWII and the covert operations that define Steve's mission.

🌍 War-time setting 🗺️ Occupied Asia 🏙️ American home front

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:02

Main Characters – First Yank into Tokyo (1945)

Meet the key characters of First Yank into Tokyo (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Steve Ross (Tom Neal)

US Air Force pilot who survives a Tokyo raid and is recruited for a top-secret mission. Reared in Japan, he is fluent in the language and adopts the alias Tomu Takishima to infiltrate the enemy. His courage, resourcefulness and loyalty drive the plan to recover the atomic bomb data and rescue allies, even at great personal risk.

🎖️ Soldier 🕵️‍♂️ Spy 💔 Lost love 🛡️ Protector

Abby Drake (Barbara Hale)

Army nurse captured by the Japanese and placed as head nurse at Kamuri's hospital. She was Steve's fiancée, carrying his wings as a symbol of their past. She confronts danger and manipulative authority, aiding Steve and Jardine's escape while grappling with conflicting loyalties.

🩺 Nurse 💞 Lost love 🤝 Ally 🎯 Target of danger

Lewis Jardine (Marc Cramer)

Prisoner of war who possesses the formula to build an atomic bomb. He works in the munitions plant, is hospitalized, and is a key liaison for transmitting the critical data. He gradually trusts Steve and collaborates with Abby to plan escape and data delivery.

🧪 Scientist 🔒 POW 🤝 Ally

Haan-Soo (Keye Luke)

Korean underground helper allied with the U.S., coordinating information and aiding in Jardine's escape. He informs Steve about Jardine's condition and joins the effort with quiet courage, eventually assisting in holding off pursuing soldiers.

🗝️ Underground ally 🇰🇷 Korean resistance 🤝 Ally

Col. Hideko Okanura (Richard Loo)

Camp commander who wields charm and authority to control hospital life and punish dissent. He tries to seduce Abby, demotes Nogira, and uses his position to manipulate events. His exposure and confrontation culminate in the explosive distraction that alters the pursuit.

🎖️ Camp commander ⚖️ Corrupt authority 🔥 Power abuse

Maj. Nogira (Leonard Strong)

Medical director who siphons hospital supplies and falls victim to Okanura's schemes. Demoted and ordered to commit suicide, his death becomes a tool in the commander’s power struggle and scapegoating.

💊 Medical officer ⚖️ Corruption 😵 Tragic end

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:02

Major Themes – First Yank into Tokyo (1945)

Explore the central themes of First Yank into Tokyo (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Espionage

Disguise, deception and undercover operations drive the story as Steve Ross assumes a Japanese identity to contact a captured scientist. The mission hinges on subtle clues, cross-cultural communication and the constant risk of exposure. Espionage creates a tension that blends war action with personal stakes.

💔 Love and Loyalty

Steve's memory of Abby frames the mission with a personal motive, blurring lines between duty and devotion. Abby endures capture and danger while remaining an essential ally for the plan. Loyalty binds allies as they face betrayal, coercion, and the ultimate test of trust under pressure.

⚗️ Science and War

The pursuit of an atomic bomb formula threads through the film, turning scientific knowledge into a weapon of necessity. Jardine's data motivates dangerous decisions and high-stakes engineering at the plant and hospital. The era's breakthroughs underscore the moral weight of weaponization and wartime innovation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:02

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of First Yank into Tokyo

Don't stop at just watching — explore First Yank into Tokyo in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what First Yank into Tokyo is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

First Yank into Tokyo Summary

Read a complete plot summary of First Yank into Tokyo, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

First Yank into Tokyo Summary

First Yank into Tokyo Timeline

Track the full timeline of First Yank into Tokyo with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

First Yank into Tokyo Timeline

More About First Yank into Tokyo

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about First Yank into Tokyo: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About First Yank into Tokyo

Similar Movies to First Yank into Tokyo

Discover movies like First Yank into Tokyo that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.