James Saito, born in 1955, is an American actor whose career spans stage and screen. He is known for his roles in Girls of the White Orchid (1983) and Hot Dog... The Movie (1984), where he brings a unique blend of charisma and depth to his characters. Saito's early work with the East West Players in Los Angeles laid the foundation for his versatile performances, which later flourished on Broadway. His ability to navigate both comedic and dramatic roles makes him a compelling figure in the cult cinema landscape.
Girls of the White Orchid
In Los Angeles, the naive and lonely burger waitress and aspirant singer Carol Heath finds an advertisement in the newspaper with a job opportunity in Tokyo. She has a meeting with the agents, the American Cavanaugh and the Japanese Shiro ; she signs the contract in English and Japanese and travels to Japan to work at the White Orchid night-club. She shares a hotel room with a dancer and sooner she discovers the scheme of prostitution in the club that belongs to Yakuza. Alone, without money and her passport, she is protected by Shiro, but pressed by the managers Madame Mori and her husband Hatanaka to be receptive to client's proposals. Meanwhile her former boyfriend returns to LA and seeks her out.