Synopsis
Koyama Kenji, nicknamed the Knife, is a smalltime hood assisted by his cronies Senko, Gunpei and girlfriend Chieko. One day, he spots the demure Yasue coming out of a jewelry shop and courts her. Meanwhile, Chieko tries to deliver Yasue into the clutches of their sleazebag boss Ono. Kenji rescues Yasue and goes straight. Chieko and Gunpei try to drag him back into the criminal world, and when he refuses, they turn him in to the police. When the officers come for Ken and Senko, Yasue promises to wait for them, so they take cheerful strides to go to prison. After serving their sentence, they return to the home to find Yasue, her mother and sisters waiting for them.

Thoughts from Ozu
The story is about a delinquent who goes straight. I credited Shimizu Hiroshi for the original story, as I got the idea from him.

Personal Thoughts and Comments
Walk Cheerfully is uncharacteristically Ozu in it's highly stylized, fast paced, and genre blending approach. Ozu shares the writing credit with Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Shimizu, whom Ozu greatly admired and admitted gave him the idea for the story. Walk Cheerfully is a mix of genres (crime, drama, comedy, romance) while recalling obvious inspirations and references to Hollywood silent films. Stylistically, much is unique from Ozu's definitive work, yet there are still visual motifs and patterns that are evident. However, here the compositions are far more stylish then most of Ozu's work (even in comparison to his silent films). The film takes on multiple plot layers, but the focus is on Kenji, a petty thief who decides to go straight after he falls for a sweet woman (Yasue). Kenji's girlfriend (in full femme fatale / Louis Brooks mode) tries to lure him back into the life of crime, only to turn on him and hand him over to the police. Kenji "walks cheerfully" knowing that Yasue, her mother, and her sister will be waiting for him to return. Walk Cheerfully is not essential Ozu, but it is an entertaining and kindhearted film. One that is made in unexpected style and pace- including a skillful execution in camera movement and nourish devices that make it unique from almost anything else Ozu made before or after.