AKIRA IFUKUBE IN CONCERT! Taking in an Orchestral Performance of the Maestro's Greatest Hits!

A display of personal pictures of the legendary composer Akira Ifukube. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Saturday, June 29, saw a performance of Godzilla and other Toho monster movie music composed by Akira Ifukube and Riichiro Manabe. The concert took place at Shibuya Cultural Center Owada's Sakura Hall, and it was attended by numerous genre luminaries. The guest of honor was Toho actress Kumi Mizuno, star of such films as Gorath (1962), Matango (1963), Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), Monster Zero (1965), War of the Gargantuas (1966), and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966).

Guests of honor Teruyoshi Nakano and Kumi Mizuno pose for pictures. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Also on hand as a special guest was longtime Toho SFX assistant director and director Teruyoshi Nakano, who helmed Toho special effects from Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (1971) through Godzilla 1985 (1984). Right before the concert began, Nakano-san was interviewed onstage, and the recent passing of Tadao Takashima was noted. Nakano-san and the interviewer made sure to pay tribute to Mr. Takashima's memory.

Nakano-san officially kicked off the festivities by calling out "Action!" in Japanese from his seat in the audience. Once the orchestra got the OK from Godzilla's former director, the concert began with selections from none other than Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). To be honest, I never thought the day would come when I would hear several cues from Megalon performed live by a full orchestra, but I couldn't be happier that I did.

Teruyoshi Nakano and Kumi Mizuno wave to the folks in the balcony. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

The orchestra went on to perform the Monster Zero march, several selections from both Frankenstein Conquers the World and War of the Gargantuas, as well as Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). Prior to that, however, Ms. Mizuno was brought onstage to talk about her career with Godzilla and other monster movies. In fact, she sat onstage as the orchestra performed the Monster Zero march, so the audience could see her reaction to it.

The concert closed with a performance of "Godzilla and Jet Jaguar: Punch! Punch! Punch!" during which the audience was encouraged to sing along. Kumi Mizuno was sitting in the front row during the performance, and I couldn't quite make out from my vantage point whether she was singing along. I'd certainly like to think she was, or that she at least enjoyed it.

Kyoko Ifukube, after the concert. Photo by Brett Homenick.

In the audience, I spotted actor Shiro Sano (Godzilla 2000, GMK, Godzilla: Final Wars), composer Chumei Watanabe, as well as various members of the Ifukube family. I spoke briefly with Watanabe-san (who was seated very close to me), but after the concert, I spoke at length with Kyoko Ifukube, one of the composer's daughters.

Overall, it was a wonderful concert, and it was a joy to hear such an eclectic selection of music from the Godzilla series. I hope to attend the next one in Tokyo!

MONSTER ZERO REUNION! Akira Takarada and Kumi Mizuno Take the Stage!

In a rare joint appearance, legendary actors Akira Takarada and Kumi Mizuno greet their fans at the Godzilla Tokusatsu exhibit in Yokohama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Sunday, August 28, was a special day. It saw two of Toho's biggest names, Akira Takarada and Kumi Mizuno, reunite in a rare joint appearance. The two co-starred in Monster Zero (1965) and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966), but since Mizuno-san makes only a few personal appearances, they are rarely seen together. This day was a major exception.

Takarada-san essentially took over as host, asking many questions of Mizuno-san himself. It certainly made for an entertaining chat. Naturally, many Nick Adams stories were shared. At one point, Takarada-san asked me from the stage about the cause of Nick Adams' death.

As the talk was winding down, the staff handed the two actos props from Monster Zero. The pair enjoyed posing for pictures with the items. I know it was a lot of fun watching these two legends relive a classic movie that is now more than 50 years old.

Everything went smoothly, but no pictures with the guests were allowed. At one point, Takarada-san suggested that we take a picture together, but it was refused by the organizer who was standing nearby. That's the way it goes at events like these.

Overall, it was tremendous fun to see Mizuno-san and Takarada-san again. Both were in high spirits, and their energy excited the audience. It was great to be a part of it.

At least I did get a photo with Millennium series director Masaaki Tezuka, who was there in an official capacity.

All in all, it was a great day!

KUMI MIZUNO TALKS GARGANTUAS! Ikebukuro Humax Cinemas Hosts the Special Event!

A signed bromide card of Kumi Mizuno from Monster Zero (1965). Photo by Brett Homenick.

November 2 saw a special screening of War of the Gargantuas (1966) at the Ikebukuro Humax Cinemas as part of an all-night film festival celebrating Godzilla's 61st anniversary.

I'm not a big fan of all-night film festivals, so I elected only to watch War of the Gargantuas and to attend the subsequent Q&A session with actress Kumi Mizuno. Director Shusuke Kaneko (GMK, the Heisei Gamera series) was a surprise guest during the Q&A.

Seeing War of the Gargantuas in 35mm (and on a massive theater screen) was a delight. I don't think it's ever looked better!

Mizuno-san looked great, and she shared many laughs about her career in tokusatsu. After the interview, Mizuno-san handed each attendee a signed bromide card, and a staff member gave each attendee the rest of the bromide set. Suffice it to say, it was a joy to shake hands and speak with Mizuno-san again.

THE KILLING BOTTLE! Toho's Long Lost Spy Adventure Is Lost No More!

I recently had the privilege of watching the third Toho movie the late Nick Adams made for the studio, The Killing Bottle (1967). The fifth and final installment in Toho's International Secret Police series, The Killing Bottle was directed by Senkichi Taniguchi (The Lost World of Sinbad) and stars Tatsuya Mihashi (The Human Vapor), Kumi Mizuno (Monster Zero), and Makoto Sato (Message from Space), Akihiko Hirata (Godzilla), Yoshio Tsuchiya (Battle in Outer Space), and Jun Tazaki (Atragon).

Having aired on cable TV in Japan recently, I was able to see the film for the first time, and I'd like to offer a few initial thoughts. Here goes. 

According to Toho's English-language sales materials, the Prime Minister of Buddhabal (Jun Tazaki) is the target of an assassination by the underworld organization ZZZ, who have already offed an International Secret Police (ISP) agent investigating the ring. Their weapon of choice: the killing bottle! Once opened, the killing bottle dispenses a shaving cream-like substance that overwhelms its victims until they've expired. 

Can ISP agents John Carter (Nick Adams) and Kitami (Tatsuya Mihashi) work together, in tandem with the somewhat mysterious Lady X (Kumi Mizuno), to keep the Prime Minister alive? If all this sounds rather serious, then I've probably stuck to the official Toho synopses I've read a little too closely. For the most part, The Killing Bottle is a goofy spy thriller that seems to parody James Bond more than imitate him. Though there are moments of seriousness, they seem out of place in a movie that's mostly all about having fun.

I mean, just look at Jun Tazaki! Doesn't he look like he's having the greatest time in the world? It's amazing that any organization would want to take down this leader. Who wouldn't want this guy in charge? Tazaki's Prime Minister can be seen riding the teacups (!), operating a motorboat, and having a blast on a roller coaster -- all while the nefarious members of ZZZ try to eliminate him.

For the most part, The Killing Bottle is an amusing entertainment, but Taniguchi's direction sometimes lets the film drag, and some of the killing scenes are handled a little too darkly for the less-than-serious subject matter. The movie seems to forget its generally silly tone during some of the sequences involving agent John Carter and Ken Hayata (Makoto Sato) which seem like they belong in an entirely different movie.

Despite these criticisms, I think The Killing Bottle is overall a good film and worth checking out. I would love to see it subtitled sometime, but the film's action is broad enough that subtitles are not all that necessary for a non-Japanese to enjoy it.

JANUARY 1: A Big Day for Two Toho Icons!

  

Your humble blogmeister poses with actress Kumi Mizuno at Shimo-Kitazawa Station in Tokyo, May 2012.

January 1 is almost upon us, and aside from ushering in the year 2013, it marks the birthdays of two of Toho's most popular alumni: Kumi Mizuno and Haruo Nakajima.

Yours truly with Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima, October 2012.

Nakajima-san turns 84 on January 1. As all of us ought to know by now, Nakajima-san played Godzilla from 1954 to 1972 and also portrayed a number of other kaiju, including: Gaira, King Kong (in King Kong Escapes), Gezora, and Baragon, among countless others.

Also on New Year's Day, Kumi Mizuno turns 76. Mizuno-san remains Toho's most popular actress, having starred in such films as: Gorath, Matango, Monster Zero, War of the Gargantuas, and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster.

Please join me in wishing these two icons of the silver screen a happy and healthy birthday on January 1!

Tokyo: A Weekend Recap

Hanging with actress Shelley Sweeney, one of my favorite people in Tokyo!

Okay, folks, here's a quick recap of some of my activities over the weekend.

I had a great dinner with Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster director Yoshimitsu Banno. He discussed some of his recent projects, his life growing up, and a few other things.

I also got to meet Tora-san in Asakusa!

Well, actually, I saw the Toho war epic The Imperial Navy (1981) on the big screen. It was made even more interesting by occasional bickering in the audience by older Japanese men!

Hanging with my buddy Ulf Otsuki. If you don't know him by now, read more of this blog!

At the Cine Pathos in Ginza with director Yoshikazu Ishii and William Ferguson of Neptune Media. We attended a Kumi Mizuno film event, which screened Matango (1963) and War of the Gargantuas (1966). Ms. Mizuno then was interviewed onstage and gave out signed copies of her new book to the crowd. She and her manager recognized me and greeted me warmly. Definitely a highlight of a fun weekend with friends!

A fine weekend!

Taking a self-portrait with the one and only Kumi Mizuno in Shimo-Kitazawa, Tokyo.

I made yet another trip to Tokyo over the weekend and got to see and do many things. Here's a quick recap of the events of the weekend. 

 

With writer-director Kengo Kaji. I interviewed this veteran of the recent Ultra-series in Daikanyama, Tokyo.

 

Yours truly with my old buddy Ulf (Godzilla vs. Megalon) Otsuki at his cafe.

Da man! Mr. Takarada, totorom, and I pose for a photo after having shabu shabu in Roppongi, Tokyo.

Kumi Mizuno: Nuff sed!

Your eyes aren't deceiving you: I actually am posing with Toho's most iconic actress, Kumi Mizuno!

As you can see, I had distinct honor of sitting down and chatting with Kumi Mizuno, unquestionably this genre's most popular actress. Having starred in such Toho SFX films as Gorath (1962), Matango (1963), Monster Zero (1965), War of the Gargantuas (1966), Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966), Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), among others, Ms. Mizuno certainly has earned her loyal fan base with American fans.

I'm sure I'll be saying a lot more about meeting Ms. Mizuno in the coming days, but for right now, here's some footage shot by my friend Yoshi Yabe that really captures the essence of the meeting. It was really as fun as it looks!

 
One quick story. I told Ms. Mizuno about Brad Pitt's mentioning War of the Gargantuas during this year's Oscars telecast as a memorable movie that left an impression on him as a child. She hadn't heard about it, but was (naturally) surprised to learn that it happened. I've since sent a clip of the YouTube video to her manager. More to come later!