Fumio Ishimori Q&A Now on Vantage Point Interviews!

With Fumio Ishimori in November 2020.

A brand-new interview has been posted with screenwriter Fumio Ishimori on Vantage Point Interviews, who began his scriptwriting career at Nikkatsu Studios in the mid-1960s. Among his film credits are Toshio Masuda’s war film Monument to the Girl’s Corps (1968), Toho’s Horror of the Wolf (1973), and the animated feature Galaxy Express 999 (1979). He also wrote several episodes of the original Kamen Rider (1971-73) TV series, as well as episodes of Ultraman Ace (1972-73) and Zone Fighter (1973).

At Vantage Point Interviews, content is king!

Interviewing a Screenwriting Legend!

Fumio Ishimori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This afternoon, I had a fun and enlightening time interviewing longtime screenwriter Fumio Ishimori, whose screenwriting career dates back to the early 1960s. I learned a lot about his experiences, and I can't wait to share them in the finished interview.

Ishimori-san has several tokusatsu credits to his name, including Kamen Rider (1971-73), Ultraman Ace (1972-73), Zone Fighter (1973), and the Toho action/horror flick Crest of the Wolf (1973). All these topics and much more were covered in the interview. When it's eventually published, I'll share the link here. Watch this space.

A Comedic Start to 2020!

 Fumio Ishimori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Over the holidays, I received a letter from Fumio Ishimori, who invited me to attend a play in Asakusa for which he wrote the script. Today was the first performance, and Ishimori-san was in attendance, so naturally I went, too. I've seen several of Ishimori-san's plays in Asakusa. He often writes scripts for this comedy troupe. I hadn't seen Ishimori-san since June, so I was especially pleased to attend. Besides, I really wanted to greet him and personally wish him a happy New Year.

Ishimori-san was a screenwriter who wrote many scripts for Shochiku and Nikkatsu, including Toshio Masuda's war film Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968). Genre fans might know Ishimori-san as co-screenwriter of the Toho horror film Crest of the Wolf (1973) with Jun Fukuda. He also penned numerous episodes of Kamen Rider (1971-73), along with episodes of Ultraman Ace (1972-73) and Zone Fighter (1973).

Ishimori-san was a true gentleman, as he always is. I had a great time in his company, and I hope to see him again very soon.

Ishimori-san Returns to the Stage!

Fumio Ishimori, after the Friday evening performance of his play. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Friday night, June 14, I left work and immediately headed to a theater in Naka-Meguro to catch Fumio Ishimori's latest stage play. I've blogged about Ishimori-san countless times, but as a reminder, Ishimori-san was a screenwriter who wrote many scripts for Shochiku and Nikkatsu, including Toshio Masuda's war film Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968). Genre fans might know Ishimori-san as co-screenwriter of the Toho horror film Crest of the Wolf (1973) with Jun Fukuda. He also penned numerous episodes of Kamen Rider (1971-73), along with episodes of Ultraman Ace (1972-73) and Zone Fighter (1973).

After the show finished, I caught up with Ishimori-san, who invited me to stick around and share drinks with the cast. We all had a great time taking photos and generally shooting the breeze. I missed Ishimori-san at a few of his other recent stage plays, and aside from a chance encounter last March at Kichijoji Station, I hadn't seen him since last year. I'm very glad to have had the chance to see him again on Friday evening.

Here's to Ishimori-san's continued success!

Comedy Has Come Back to Asakusa!

Fumio Ishimori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I paid a visit to the Asakusa 21st Century Comic Theater to attend a stage play written by Fumio Ishimori. Ishimori-san is a prolific screenwriter whose credits include the Toho horror film Crest of the Wolf (1973), along with a myriad of TV productions, such as Kamen Rider (1971-73), Ultraman Ace (1972-73), and Zone Fighter (1973). 

The play was a 007 parody with a lot of broad, over-the-top humor. There was even a Kamen Rider reference in the show. (Take that, Shocker!) Definitely fun stuff. I certainly had fun seeing Ishimori-san again, who is always very friendly. I'm already looking forward to his next production!

Seeing Fumio Ishimori's Latest Production

Yours truly with Fumio Ishimori (second from left) and friends.

A few weeks ago, I received a letter in the mail from screenwriter Fumio Ishimori (a.k.a. Shiro Ishimori), which came with a flyer for his latest stage production. The letter invited me to attend the performance on March 9 in Shibuya. Shortly thereafter, I reserved a ticket and made plans to attend after work.

I arrived a bit late to the show (due to my work schedule), but after the show, I caught up with Ishimori-san and his wife (whom I'd met for the first time). Ishimori-san invited me to dinner, so the three of us went to a nearby izakaya and ate some delicious food.

It was a great evening, and I certaily look foward to seeing Ishimori-san again.

ISHIMORI-SAN RETURNS TO ASAKUSA! The Celebrated Scribes Pens Another Stage Comedy!

Screenwriter Fumio Ishimori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier today, I attended a stage play in Asakusa written by Fumio Ishimori (whose name is sometimes mistranslated as "Shiro" Ishimori). Ishimori-san co-wrote Toho's Crest of the Wolf (1973), along with several tokusatsu TV programs during the 1970s. 

While there, I handed him a Christmas card, which he was surprised to receive. He asked me for my address, and I naturally gave it to him. I suppose I should keep an eye on my mailbox in the coming days.

It's always great to see Ishimori-san, and I'm already looking forward to the next time next year.

FUMIO ISHIMORI IS BACK! The Longtime Screenwriter Returns to Asakusa with a New Play!

Screenwriter Fumio Ishimori. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Today, I went to Asakusa to see the latest play written by screenwriter Fumio Ishimori (a.k.a. Shiro Ishimori). Ishimori-san, as noted several times on this blog, has written many movies for Shochiku and Nikkatsu. One of his most significant credits is his screenplay for Toshio Masuda's Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968). He also co-wrote the Toho horror film Crest of the Wolf (1973) with Jun Fukuda, as well as writing episodes of Kamen Rider (1971-73), Ultraman Ace (1972-73), and Zone Fighter (1973).

The play itself was a comedy, and it had the audience in stitches. One amusing incident occurred when the backdrop suddenly fell apart, causing the actors to improvise while the crew put everything back together again. Everything was back on track within a few minutes. All in all, it was an enjoyable show, and it's always a treat to see Ishimori-san.

CREST OF THE WOLF! Seeing This (Sort of) Horror Movie at Laputa Asagaya!

The poster for Crest of the Wolf (1973) on display in the theater lobby. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight, I returned to the Laputa Asagaya for a 35mm screening of Crest of the Wolf (1973), a pseudo-horror movie that has never really enthralled me that much. Those expecting a more traditional werewolf flick will certainly be disappointed. The werewolf scenes are incidental to the film, which plays more like a violent high school drama. 

What we do see of the werewolf isn't all that impressive, either. At some points, the lead actor is simply wearing a wolf mask (and retains his ability to speak), and at other times he's a full-blown wolf, attacking his enemies and causing untold amounts of blood spray. The effects of which are never really convincing.

There are no flashy transformation scenes, either. He just suddenly appears as a wolf. The rest of the movie is pretty trashy stuff (nudity, violence, etc.), especially from Toho. As I said, though, most of the movie revolves around a gang of violent high school thugs who don't take kindly to the new "lone wolf" student who does things his own way.

Here's a nice poster for Toho's Ichi ka bachi ka (1963) that was on display. Looks like a fun flick. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Still, screenings of Crest of the Wolf are extremely rare, so I wanted to take the opportunity to see it in 35mm. I'm glad I did, even though my opinion of the film hasn't changed much. It really isn't a bad film, and it does show a bit of stylistic flair, but let's face it, we're only seeing this movie because it has a monster in it. That's what we want, but it just doesn't deliver.

In Japan, the film is most notable for marking the screen debut of Yusaku Matsuda, a popular actor who went on to star as the main villain in Ridley Scott's Black Rain (1989), and who died shortly after completing that film. (Matsuda plays the leader of the high school gang in Crest of the Wolf.)

SEEING FUMIO ISHIMORI'S NEW PLAY! Asakusa Is the Place to Be!

Fumio Ishimori stands outside the theater in Asakusa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, I had an opportunity to take in the new comedy play written by Fumio Ishimori (a.k.a. Shiro Ishimori). Ishimori-san is a longtime screenwriter who has written numerous films for Nikkastu and Shochiku studios.  

Fumio Ishimori signs my DVD sleeve of Crest of the Wolf. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

For Toho, he wrote the horror film Crest of the Wolf (1973) with Jun Fukuda. He also wrote several episodes of the original Kamen Rider (1971-73), as well as episodes of Ultraman Ace (1972-73) and Zone Fighter (1973).

When I found out about Ishimori-san's play, I knew I had to check it out. Thankfully, my Sunday afternoon was open, and I was able to make it. It was an enjoyable parody with a Lupin III-type character as the focal point, and it had the audience laughing throughout.

With Ishimori-san and many of the cast members.

Afterward, we posed for photos and chatted a bit. I also got to meet many of the cast, and everyone was quite friendly. I look forward to seeing his next play!

A DIFFERENT SIDE OF JAPANESE MOVIES! Dinner with Legends from the Japanese Film Industry!

With screenwriter Fumio Ishimori, following a dinner party in Yokohama.

Tonight I had dinner with two luminaries from the world of Japanese film. One of the special guests was screenwriter Fumio Ishimori, who is best known in the West for his screenplay for the Toho horror film Crest of the Wolf (1973), which was co-written by Jun Fukuda. He also wrote several episodes of the original Kamen Rider (1971-73). Additionally, Ultraman Ace (1972-73) and Zone Fighter (1973) are among his other tokusatsu credits.

With actress Yoko Takahashi, who has appeared in numerous films from the 1970s.

The evening's other guest was actress Yoko Takahashi. She appears in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977) and the Academy Award-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). It was my first time to meet Takahashi-san, and she impressed me with her kindness and sense of humor. When she found out I was a Godzilla fan, she broke out into the Godzilla theme!

While she doesn't appear in any kaiju films (which I'm sure would immediately deter others), her career is very interesting to me, and while her acting career may not have been as lengthy as some of her other colleagues', it is arguably more impressive than most. In fact, one of my friends told me after the event that she is his favorite actress of all time!

It was a fun evening with many laughs and good times. Many thanks to everyone who made the evening so special!

NIKKATSU IN YOKOHAMA! Masako Izumi and Fumio Ishimori Talk Film Over Dinner!

Nikkastu Studios star Masako Izumi chats with fans over dinner in Yokohama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night, I was privileged to attend a special dinner event with two Nikkatsu Studios alumni. The headliner of the event was Masako Izumi, who was a young star at Nikkatsu during the 1960s. I met her last year at a similar event and was pleasantly surprised to find that she recognized me.

Screenwriter Fumio Ishimori has written numerous scenarios for many of Japan's biggest studios. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The other special guest in attendance was screenwriter Fumio Ishimori (sometimes credited as Shiro Ishimori in the West). Ishimori-san penned several films for Nikkatsu during the 1960s before eventually leaving for Shochiku Studios. In the 1970s, Ishimori-san wrote the horror opus Crest of the Wolf (1973) for Toho Studios.

Masako Izumi listens to a question while sitting under a poster for her film Thanks for the Tears (1965), a youth actioner from Nikkastu Studios. Photo by Brett Homenick.

While there was a film screening prior to the dinner event, I missed it. (I have to work, you know.) But I was able to enjoy sitting with Izumi-san and Ishimori-san, who were quite gregarious and eager to mingle with their fans.

Yours truly poses for a photo with Masako Izumi in Yokohama.

It was intriguing to see how the attendees acted around Izumi-san. For this event, the folks in attendance were all new to me. I made some new friends and enjoyed chatting with them. But they were all in awe of Izumi-san. Her name is hardly known to Americans, but fans in Japan are well aware of who she is. After becoming familiar with her credits, it would be hard not to become impressed!

Posing for a photo with Fumio Ishimori, a man of many screenplays!

The event was a lot of fun and a big success. Masako Izumi was full of boundless energy, and despite her previous success as a Nikkatsu star, she was a approachable as anyone else I've seen. Ishimori-san was a very friendly chap whom I hope to see again soon. Congratulations to everyone involved!