Haruo Nakajima: A Monster Life Remembered

 Haruo Nakajima onstage at an event in Tokyo in March 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Word has started circulating that Haruo Nakajima, the original Godzilla suit actor who portrayed the King of the Monsters from 1954 until 1972, has just passed away at the age of 88. While Nakajima-san's uncanny acting ability inside the monster suit is what attracted his legions of fans around the world in the beginning, it was his warmth and friendliness outside the suit that made him an international legend.

I'm a firm believer that a picture is worth a thousand words (and then some), so I'd like to take this moment to share a few of the photos I've taken of Nakajima-san over the years.

Nakajima-san discusses the art of suit-acting at a Godzilla-related event in March 2015.

The year 1954 was a big one in the life of Nakajima-san. Not only did he play Godzilla in the King of the Monsters' first film, he also appeared in Akira Kurosawa's seminal Seven Samurai, often called the greatest Japanese film of all time.

Two heroes, coming to the rescue!

Nakajima-san and assistant SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano discuss working on King Kong Escapes (1967) under the direction of Eiji Tsuburaya in September 2015.

Suit-acting explained: Nakajima-san gesticulates as he demonstrates the finer points of bringing monsters to life.

"Two Godzillas! What does it mean?!" It means that Nakajima-san and his suit-acting successor Kenpachiro Satsuma (Godzilla from 1984 until 1995) show the audience how to move like the King of the Monsters in October 2014.

Nakajima-san remembers working on his last film as Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) in September 2014.

Godzilla vs. Gigan star Hiroshi Ishikawa helps Nakajima-san with his microphone during a Q&A.

Nakajima-san talks shop next to Godzilla series star Akira Takarada at Super Festival in January 2016.

Nakajima-san joins King Kong Escapes co-stars Linda Miller and Akira Takarada at Super Festival.

Thank you for the memories, Nakajima-san. Rest in peace.

THREE GIANT STARS: THE GREATEST REUNION ON EARTH! Akira Takarada, Yosuke Natsuki, and Linda Miller Join Forces in Tokyo!

Yosuke Natsuki, Linda Miller, and Akira Takarada pose for pictures at a special event in Nakano, Tokyo. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

January 11 saw the final of three events in Tokyo for Linda Miller during this visit. It was particularly special for Linda, as it was the first time she'd seen her old friend, Toho star Yosuke Natsuki, in more than 40 years.

The event took place on the 11th floor of the Nakano Sun Plaza, and (for my money) it was much more fun than yesterday's Super Festival.

Before the event, a Japanese fan sitting next to me asked me a question. He wanted to know if I was an actor in Japanese films. I laughed and assured him I wasn't. Last month, I was asked the same question at a different event. I wonder if a pattern is starting to develop.

Yosuke Natsuki signs autographs for the fans in attedance. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Shortly thereafter, the three actors took the stage, and the Q&A session was hosted by Akira Takarada himself. (There was no other moderator; Takarada-san himself was it!) Linda recalled her memories of King Kong Escapes (1967), and then Takarada-san went over Natsuki-san's filmography. Takarada-san worked from a few notes, and it was clear he had done his homework. He came prepared with many facts and figures, even King Kong's weight and height!

Several times during the talk, I was asked questions by the actors onstage. For example, Takarada-san asked me who the monsters were in Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster (since the Japanese title doesn't exactly make it clear). Much to my surprise, Takarada-san spent some time talking about me to the audience (describing my time in Nakatsugawa, etc.).

Natsuki-san asked Linda some questions about her experience making King Kong Escapes and then talked about the conversation that he and I had, which eventually led to Linda's discovery. In addition, when he mentioned that he was in the movie The H-Man (1958) for one cut, he looked at me for conformation. (Since Natsuki-san appears in two different scenes, it's a bit more accurate to say he was in two cuts.) Suffice it to say, it was a lot of fun to interact with three great Toho stars from the audience.

Once the Q&A wrapped, it was time for autographs. Shortly going through everybody's line, I had to leave for work.

It was a great event, and before I left, I commended Ms. Kojima on another job well done. I had a great time, and I look forward to attending other such events in the future.

MORE PHOTOS! Super Festival Lives Up to Its Name!

Linda Miller and Akira Takarada share a laugh about King Kong Escapes (1967).

Haruo Nakajima discusses playing King Kong, as Akira Takarada listens in.

Almost 50 years later, Akira Takarada and Linda Miller still look great!

Yuuta Mochizuki discusses Kamen Rider J (1994) and Keita Amemiya.

With Return of Ultraman suit actor Eiichi Kikuchi.

Nobuyuki Ishida and Mirrorman wow the audience at Super Festival.

With Akira Takarada.

With Haruo Nakajima.

Jirass invades Super Festival!

Ultra Seven and Red King bury the hatchet long enough to shop for toys.

Mirrorman masks!

SUPER FESTIVAL 70! A King Kong Escapes Reunion and More!

Akira Takarada and Linda Miller share a hug for the first time since 1967! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Japanese monster movies have always been bigger and better than American monster movies. That's what I've always liked about them. It's no exception with their special events, which are always bigger and better than their American counterparts.

Haruo Nakajima, Akira Takarada, and Linda Miller discuss the making of King Kong Escapes (1967). Photo by Brett Homenick.

Super Festival 70, taking place on January 10, proved to be the same way. The organizers of Super Festival brought together three of the stars of Toho's celebrated King Kong Escapes (1967) for the first time ever. Akira Takarada, Haruo Nakajima, and Linda Miller shared the stage to discuss the production of this kaiju classic.

Of course, there was a lot of joking around, too, which made the panel discussion so special. Others will try to imitate it, I'm sure, but there's nothing quite like the first time.

Hiroshi Sagae shows off one of his latest sculpts. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

After the King Kong Escapes interview, I walked around the convention center and ran into many familiar faces. One of whom was Hiroshi Sagae, a sculptor who has worked on numerous projects from the Heisei era. We had a nice chat, and he showed me some of his latest works.

Kamen Rider takes the stage at Super Festival! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yuuta Mochizuki was interviewed onstage about his starring role in Keita Amemiya's Kamen Rider J (1994). Mochizuki-san is well known to fans of Super Sentai and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as he starred in the series Zyuranger (1992-93), which was Americanized as the Power Rangers.

Yuuta Mochizuki addresses the audience at Super Festival. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The interviewer read a special message from director Keita Amemiya, which he then gave to Mochizuki-san. He certainly seemed impressed by it!

While walking the floor, I met Sojiro Uchino, whom I've blogged about several times. Uchino-san was a child actor who appeared in episodes of Ultra Q and Ultraman, among other series and movies. Uchino-san usually makes appearances at Super Festival.

Nobuyuki Ishida reunites with his heroic alter ego, Mirrorman! Photo by Brett Homenick.

I also caught part of the interview with Mirrorman (1971-72) star Nobuyuki Ishida. His onstage reunion with Mirrorman was particularly amusing!

Nobuyuki Ishida answers the questions posed to him about his famous TV program. Photo by Brett Homenick.

While wandering around, I bumped in to another Japanese celebrity who was not there as a guest but as a fan. Interestingly, he was one of the featured guests as the last Super Festival!

Striking a pose with Eiichi Kikuchi, a veteran Tsuburaya Productions suit actor. 

Eiichi Kikuchi was at the show, checking out the merchandise for sale and listening to the guest interviews. Kikuchi-san was the (Ultra-)man in the suit for Return of Ultraman (1971-72) and even played Ultra Seven for the King Joe episodes of the 1967-68 series.

After all that, it was time to meet the guests. It was great to see Akira Takarada again...

... as well as Linda Miller...

... and Haruo Nakajima! Whew, so much to say. A lot happened at Super Festival, so I must commend the organizers and Ms. Kojima for a job well done. It was a blast!

MEETING LINDA MILLER! The King Kong Escapes Star Arrives in Tokyo!

Linda Miller on her second day in Tokyo at a Gusto restaurant in Nakano. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I just returned home from a great evening with Linda Miller, the leading lady in King Kong Escapes (1967). Linda is in Tokyo to appear at several events over the weekend, including a major King Kong Escapes reunion on Sunday, featuring Akira Takarada and Haruo Nakajima.

As you can imagine, Linda is very excited for the events to take place over the three-day weekend. Even though we recorded our interview over two years ago (has it really been that long?), this was our first face-to-face meeting, and it's one I'll always remember. Thank you very much, Linda!

LINDA MILLER INTERVIEW POSTED! Vantage Point Interviews Has the Scoop!

Actress/model Linda Miller, just after completing her work on King Kong Escapes. Photo courtesy of Linda Miller.

Great news for kaiju fans!

If you've been wanting to read my interview with King Kong Escapes (1967) star Linda Miller ever since it was first published, the wait is over! Vantage Point Interviews has published the conversation in full!

I think you'll find that it's well worth the wait!

LINDA MILLER SPEAKS ... AGAIN! The King Kong Escapes Starlet Makes the Local News!

Actress Linda Miller pals around with her co-stars on the set of King Kong Escapes (1967). Photo courtesy of Linda Miller.

The recent interview with King Kong Escapes star Linda Miller in G-FAN #106 has drawn a lot of attention from Godzilla fandom, but it has also drawn the attention of local media! Laura McFarland has a lengthy article in Powhatan Today that not only details Linda Miller's time in Japan but also chronicles how the G-FAN interview was able to take place. Both Linda and I are quoted in the article, and (if I may say so myself), the story is a great companion piece to our interview.

You can read the story here. Many thanks to Laura McFarland for an excellent job and (of course) to Linda Miller for sharing her story with us!

UPDATE: The article was just picked up by the Richmond Times-Dispatch!

LINDA MILLER SPEAKS! The King Kong Escapes Star Tells Her Story in the New Issue of G-FAN!

Chris Scalf's awe-inspiring cover for G-FAN #106, featuring a lengthy talk with Linda Miller.

G-FAN #106 has been printed and shipped to subscribers (some of whom have already reported getting their copies), but to you poor souls who have not subscribed, please take note that the current issues features my interview with none other than Linda Miller of King Kong Escapes fame. Yes, it's true, the much-sought-after actress from the 1967 Toho favorite has shared her detailed memories of the film, and you can read all about them in this G-FAN exclusive!

G-FAN can be purchased here. Be a part of kaiju history and order your copy today!