Toho Cinemas Round-Up!

With George Chakiris in March 2011.

The night before Prime Minister Abe's emergency declaration went into effect, I went to Toho Cinemas in Roppongi to catch a screening of the Academy Award-winning classic West Side Story (1961), which I'd seen on DVD but never on the big screen. Suffice it to say, it was quite entertaining.

I was fortunate enough to meet George Chakiris (who played Bernardo to perfection) several times in Los Angeles in 2010 and 2011, before moving to Japan. It was great finally to see his performance on the big screen.

Last week, I went to the same theater to catch my sixth (!) screening of Joker (2019), my favorite movie of the last decade. With all the new movies being postponed, the upside was that Toho Cinemas began screening a lot of classics. I just wish I had the opportunity to see even more.

Now Toho Cinemas have closed across Tokyo, so it will be quite a while before I'm able to to the movies again. That said, I'm thankful I got to see the above-mentioned films (as well as two screenings of Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut) when I had the chance.

A NEW GEORGE CHAKIRIS DOCUMENTARY: Here's how you can help!

Academy Award-winning actor George Chakiris and yours truly, hanging out in Beverly Hills, CA, in March 2011.

Filmmaker Tyler Meyer recently contacted me through this blog to bring my attention to his documentary on Oscar winner George Chakiris. At this time, Tyler is soliciting support through Kickstarter to help fund the project. From the film's Kickstarter page:

Chakiris is the first hour-long documentary about George Chakiris, a talented and versatile performer who is best known for his Academy Award-winning performance as Bernardo in West Side Story. Starting as a dancer in some of the most iconic movie musicals of Hollywood’s golden age (he serenaded Marilyn Monroe during “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), he then moved on to a long and successful career as a film, television & stage actor, recording artist, and jewelry designer. Using interviews with George and those who have known and worked with him over the years, along with archive photos and clips of his performances, our film will chronicle George’s inspiring success story and to pay tribute to his incredible body of work.  

I'm happy to support anything that promotes the career of George Chakiris. If you'd like to take part, please visit the Kickstarter site!

Nice to know I still have friends

About to have breakfast with J.D. Lees and Robert Scott Field at G-FEST XVII in Chicago.

The holidays are a time of reflection, and given that today is Christmas, and I can think of no better time to think about my friends. Of course, those with poor judgment may count "the enemy of my enemy" as their friends, but those who do always find out in the end just how meaningful such relationships are.

With Akira Takarada at G-FEST. I spent nearly a week with this legendary actor and will never forget the experience.

With Damon Foster. Although he and I live hours apart, I got to see Damon several times this year. He's a great friend with a great sense of humor. Love our phone conversations!

With Luciana Paluzzi and Nika Solomon. I've seen Luciana twice this year (including my December 14 trip to L.A.) but only saw Nika once. I always look forward to seeing these great ladies when I'm in the area.

With Dore Kraus, as we attempt Ultraman's Specium Ray pose. I met Dore for the first time in October at a dinner he hosted, and he was just as nice as in our various correspondences.

With Dr. Franklin Ruehl. Dr. Ruehl's Mysteries from Beyond the Other Dominion was a favorite of mine on the Sci-Fi Channel in the early '90s. Getting to speak with him at length in October was truly a wonderful experience.

With Ib Melchior. Words cannot do this man justice, but I'm compelled to say a few. No one has shown me more hospitality this year than Mr. Melchior. Whenever I travel to L.A., I always have a place to stay at Ib's. I stay there so often that his house has basically become my home away from home! I sincerely appreciate the generosity he has shown me.

With Ryan Phillips. Ryan is a high school friend I haven't seen for nearly ten years. He was in the area on business and invited me to have lunch with him. It was my pleasure to reconnect with him and swap stories.

With Justin Dunleavy. I got to spend more time with my cousin this year than I have in a long time. Before getting involved in Godzilla fandom, Justin and I would spend hours talking about the various Toho sci-fi films in the 1990s (and the '80s before that!).

With Paulette Rubinstein and her daughter Liane Curtis. Although I have known Paulette for nearly five years (!), I never got the chance to meet her until very recently. She and her daughter Liane were extremely kind to me, and I was overwhelmed by their hospitality.

With George Chakiris. Although most people would think of Oscar-winning actors as having large egos, I couldn't think of a less appropriate description for George Chakiris. Last week, I met the West Side Story star again in L.A. for a chat, and we mostly chatted about our favorite films this year and of any year. We plan to meet again the next time I'm in town.

This doesn't begin to cover everybody, and I apologize to my friends I haven't included. I could go on all day with examples. But you have to cut it off somewhere!

I wish all my friends a happy and successful 2011!

Tales of Adventure in Hollywood

Meeting the legendary Barbara Steele, the star of many Italian horror classics.

Although the summer months are brutal, living in Rancho Mirage (a.k.a. Brett's Rancho) does have its advantages. One such advantage is the fairly easy access I have to Los Angeles. Little more than a two-hour drive away, I can essentially travel there whenever I'd like.

After seeing its impressive guest list, I knew I wanted to attend the Hollywood Show in Burbank in late July. I made plans, and off I went.

It was a pleasure to meet Mamie Van Doren.

While it's a lot of fun to meet the celebrities who attend these autograph conventions, you must budget yourself carefully. It's easier than you might think to spend more money than you can afford! So it's important to go in with a plan and to do as little impulse-buying as possible. Stick to your plan, and you won't go home bankrupt.

Caroline Munro was a highlight of the convention. I spoke with her about such topics as Christopher Lee and traveling in general. She's as friendly as they come.

The Hollywood Show was held at the Marriott Convention Center in Burbank. This was also the site of Monsterpalooza (in 2009 and 2010) and G-FEST '99. It's a nice area; I just wish the drivers were as nice!

With the incomparable Carla Laemmle, who appeared in The Phantom of the Opera (1925) and Dracula (1931)! Ms. Laemmle, who turns 101 (!) in October, signed autographs steadily throughout the day.

It was great to meet all the celebrities I met at the Hollywood Show. However, I must make special mention of two wonderful ladies in particular.

In between Nika Solomon and Luciana Paluzzi.

For the second time at a convention, I got to spend a great deal of time with Luciana Paluzzi and Nika Solomon. These are two of the nicest ladies you'd ever want to meet. I always enjoy spending an afternoon with them, and I hope to do it again sometime in the near future!

Reptilicus reads Phil Kim's Famous Monsters of Filmland tribute to Forrest J Ackerman at the Melchior residence, but was disappointed to find several typos (Joseph Cotten's name misrendered as "Cotton," among others) therein.

After the Hollywood Show wound down, I was a guest at Ib Melchior's home. Mr. Melchior graciously invited me to spend the night, which was an invitation too good to turn down! Once again (and I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but it's the truth), I enjoyed being in the presence of this multi-talented writer-director.

After dinner, Mr. Melchior and I watched Silent Hill on the SyFy Channel. Neither of us could follow what was going on, but it was especially entertaining when Mr. Melchior interjected some MST3K-style riffs on the proceedings! Suffice it to say, it was quite a memorable evening.

Yup, that's a plate of lasagna, but it wasn't mine, I swear! And I didn't order any stuffed bell peppers, either!

The following morning, I met Peter H. Brothers for lunch at The Grove. I gave him an autographed program of Godzilla: Final Wars that Akira Takarada signed for Peter (after I gave Mr. Takarada a copy of Peter's Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men).

A shot across the bow? Nah, it's just Peter enjoying his meal!

This was my first time meeting Peter in five years! Hopefully we'll get together a little more often from now on.

Brett and Ib Melchior, shortly before I had to leave.

Peter dropped me off near Ib's house, and I said my goodbyes to Ib and his charming wife Cleo. Afterward, I had G-FAN business to attend to.

Brett and George Chakiris, following a fascinating interview for G-FAN.

I met Academy Award-winning actor George Chakiris (West Side Story) for an interview on the Daiei co-production Flight from Ashiya. The interview was enlightening, but what struck me the most was how down-to-earth and approachable Mr. Chakiris turned out to be. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and he gave me many great stories for G-FAN.

All in all, it was a very successful trip, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I'm not sure when I'll return to Hollywood, but after all the fun I had this past weekend, I hope it's very soon!