''Marco'' is a 1973 American-Japanese

historical History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film and television, a genre of film and television that incorporates into the narr ...

adventure film An adventure film is a form of adventure fiction, and is a genre of film. Subgenres of adventure films include swashbuckler films, pirate films, and survival films. Adventure films may also be combined with other film genres such as action, an ...

directed by

Seymour Robbie Seymour Robbie (August 25, 1919 – June 17, 2004) was a director of American television programs, whose work ranged from 1951 ('' Down You Go'') to 1990 ('' Father Dowling Mysteries''). His credits include game shows (e.g., ''The $64,000 Question' ...

and starring Desi Arnaz Jr.,

Jack Weston Jack Weston (born Morris Weinstein; August 21, 1924 – May 3, 1996) was an American actor. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1976 and a Tony Award in 1981. Career Weston, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, usually played comic roles in fi ...

and Zero Mostel, which depicts the 13th century journey of Italian merchant and explorer

Marco Polo Marco Polo (, , ; 8 January 1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. His travels are recorded in ''The Travels of Marco Polo'' (also known as ''Book of the Marv ...

along the

Silk Road The Silk Road () was a network of Eurasian trade routes active from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century. Spanning over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles), it played a central role in facilitating economic, cultural, political, and reli ...

and his meeting with

Kublai Khan Kublai ; Mongolian script: ; (23 September 1215 – 18 February 1294), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shizu of Yuan and his regnal name Setsen Khan, was the founder of the Yuan dynasty of China and the fifth khagan-emperor of th ...

. It has been described as unreleased in the United States., released as a

television movie A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

, or as a theatrical release. On December 9, 1972, Arnaz appeared on

The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...

with

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He is best known as the host of ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson received six Pr ...

to promote the film. His romantic partner

Liza Minnelli Liza May Minnelli ( ; born March 12, 1946) is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli is among a rare group of performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy ...

had traveled to Tokyo with him during the filming.

Plot

Cast

* Desi Arnaz Jr. as

as Maffio Polo * Zero Mostel as

* Cie Cie Win as Aigiarm * Aimee Eccles as Kuklatoi *

Fred Sadoff Frederick Edward Sadoff (October 21, 1926 – May 6, 1994) was an American film, stage and television actor. Early years Sadoff was born in Brooklyn, New York to Henry and Bertha Sadoff; his older brothers Sidney and Robert were born years ea ...

as Niccolo Polo * Mafumi Sakamoto as Letanpoing *

Tetsu Nakamura , also known as Kaka Murad (Pashto: , transl. "Uncle Nakamura"), (15 September 1946 – 4 December 2019), was a Japanese physician and honorary Afghan citizen who headed Peace Japan Medical Services (PMS), an aid group known as ''Peshawar-kai'' ...

as Sea Captain *

Van Christie Die Warzau (originally Die Warzau Synfony) was an American industrial music band formed in 1987 by Jim Marcus and Van Christie. History In the late 80s, Jim Marcus and Van Christie were working individually as performance artists. Christie ...

as Chontosai * Osamu Okawa as Ling Su *

Masumi Okada was a professional actor, singer, stand-up comedian, and film producer. Also known by his nickname "Fanfan", he was born in Nice, France, to a Japanese father, Minoru Okada, who was an artist, and a Danish mother, Ingeborg Sevaldsen, who was th ...

as Ti Wai *

Romeo Muller Romeo Earl Muller, Jr. (August 7, 1928 – December 30, 1992) was an American screenwriter and actor most remembered for his screenplays for the Rankin/Bass holiday specials including ''Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Little Drummer Boy ...

as Pitai Brahmas * Yuka Kamebuchi as Mme. Tung * Ikio Sawamura as Lomar

References

Bibliography

* Jerry Roberts. ''Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors''. Scarecrow Press, 2009.

External links

*
Getty Images: Behind the Scenes photograph of Arnaz and children near Tokyo
1973 films 1970s historical adventure films Japanese historical adventure films American historical adventure films English-language Japanese films Films directed by Seymour Robbie Cinerama Releasing Corporation films 1970s musical films American musical films Films set in the 13th century Japanese musical films Films with screenplays by Romeo Muller Rankin/Bass Productions films 1970s English-language films 1970s American films {{adventure-film-stub