In his twilight years, Kinugasa retired from film direction after his final 1970 film titled "Chiisai Tobosha" (The Little Runaway), and worked on stage direction for Toho Kabuki (traditional drama performed by male actors).
晩年は、1970年の『小さい逃亡者』を最後に映画監督を引退し、東宝歌舞伎の演出を手がけた。