My Geisha is a 1962 American comedy-drama film[2] directed by Jack Cardiff, starring Shirley MacLaine, Yves Montand, Edward G. Robinson, and Bob Cummings and released by Paramount Pictures.

By choosing to film Madam Butterfly, he can select a different leading lady without hurting her feelings, because she, as a blue-eyed, red-headed comedy actress, would not be suitable to play a Japanese woman in a tragedy.

Through the course of the film, she begins to be concerned that Yoko will steal her husband's affections, though he never does develop feelings for the invented character.

When viewing the film's negatives, in which colors are reversed, he sees through her duplicity and, believing that she plans to steal credit from him, once again depriving him of the artistic praise he deserves, he becomes furious.

Her original plan was to come on stage as Yoko and pull of her wig at the end of the premiere, astounding Hollywood and virtually guaranteeing her an Academy Award.

[8] In August 1960, it was announced the film would star MacLaine, James Stewart, Maria Callas, Gig Young, and Edward G. Robinson and be directed by Jack Cardiff.

”… scenic loveliness and Puccini's haunting music make solid support for the rather thin saga.” He praises MacLaine… (who is) “more subdued than normal and contributes a performance in keeping with the stylized, formal nature of the geisha.

…Yoko Tani, as a perceptive geisha who teaches our heroine.., and Tatsuo Saito are among the native players who add authenticity to the proceedings…”[12]