Songbird of Manzanar (film)

Short film by Cody Edison about Mary Nomura recounting her days as the "Songbird of Manzanar." Filmed at the Manzanar National Historic Site and at Nomura's home, she talks about how she took up signing at age sixteen under the urging of music teacher Lou Frizzell, her frequent public performances in camp, and meeting her husband, Shi Nomura. The film features two recordings of Nomura recorded at Manzanar , "I Dream of You" and "Can't Fool This Heart of Mine," and ends with Mary singing "Embraceable You" accompanied by Scott Nagatani on piano.

A photographer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles and Santa Fe, New Mexico, with a particular interest in music, Edison (1989– ) holds a B.A. from CalArts. His website includes an additional performance by Nomura of the song "St. Louis Blues."

Might also like California's Gold with Huell Howser: Songbird of Manzanar (2005); The Music Man of Manzanar (2005); Searchlight Serenade (2012)