ULTRAMAN FLIES AGAIN! Another Fun Evening with the Superhero from M78!

Bin Furuya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 

Last night (Saturday, February 17), I attended another event with Ultraman suit actor Bin Furuya. I arrived late due to my work schedule, and by the time I arrived the festivities were already winding down. Luckily, I was able to attend the after-party that started immediately thereafter. 

When Furuya-san arrived at the izakaya for the after-party, he asked me to stand up and proceeded to tell the folks in attendance about my March plans. He also shared a story about going to a restaurant in Chicago with Akira Takarada and me, recalling how much I ate and drank there. Well, it was a fun memory for me, too!

Furuya-san sat with my table two separate times during the evening, during which he was seated directly next to me. We talked about his interest in James Dean, the movie Shane (1953), and Japanese pro wrestler Rikidozan. There was also a fascinating talk about some of his recent signing events. 

Funnily enough, Furuya-san  recalled the time he called me on my cell phone when I happened to be on a date with a girl in December 2021. I guess he thought things were a lot more serious between her and me than they actually were! (But, hey, who could blame him?)

It was also pretty fun to hear Furuya-san use more English words. I'd actually never heard him use so many before. It was quite fascinating to hear due to the fact that it's rather rare in my experience.

Furuya-san was also great about putting his arm around your shoulder or making physical contact in some other way. After all, who wouldn't want to get that kind of affirmation from Ultraman himself?

Suffice it to say, it was another fun evening with the man from M78. Of course, my interest in Furuya-san is as much rooted in his early Toho roles as it is with his more impressive turns at Tsuburaya Productions, but I'll happily take both. Many thanks to Furuya-san for another great evening!

Celebrating the New Year with a Toho VIP!

Toru Ibuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight (Wednesday, January 10), I had the distinct privilege of spending the evening with former Toho actor Toru Ibuki. Would you believe it had been about five years since I last met him? Ibuki-san turns 84 at the end of the month, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that he was still looking well. 

Toru Ibuki signs autographs. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Ibuki-san stays healthy by going for long walks and doing squats every day, which is hard even for me at my age!

I was able to attend a beginning-of-the-year party, at which Ibuki-san was the guest of honor. Ibuki-san and his daughter gave me a Godzilla-themed T-shirt as a gift, which I wasn't expecting but was more than pleased to receive. In honor of Ibuki-san's upcoming birthday, I presented him with not one but two omiyage boxes.

Of his own movies, Ibuki-san named Operation Enemy Fort (1962) as his favorite, as well as talking about some of his memories of Frank Sinatra in America. I asked Ibuki-san if he'd seen any movies recently, which he hasn't. I also enjoyed speaking to Ibuki-san's daughter on a wide range of topics.

Naturally, I couldn't resist bringing a few items to get signed, which Ibuki-san graciously did. The items were Blu-ray sleeves (of Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster and Terror of Mechagodzilla), as well as Godzilla Store cards of Sea Monster and Monster Zero. I told the attendees that Ibuki-san had a beard in Terror of Mechagodzilla, and, when I asked him if it was a real beard, he said it was.

The party lasted just over two hours, and I enjoyed every bit of it. I can't tell you how good it was to see Ibuki-san again after such a long time. It felt even better to see that he was doing well. Tonight was certainly an evening for the history books.

Secrets of Americanizations Revealed on Vantage Point Interviews!

A recent photo of Richard Krown. Photo © Richard Krown.

First up is a brand-new interview with Richard Krown, UPA's post-production supervisor on the company's various Japanese releases, including Monster Zero (1965), The War of the Gargantuas (1966), Godzilla's Revenge (1969), and Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). He was also heavily involved in the American releases of Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966) and the Toho war epic Retreat from Kiska (1965), about whose Americanization he goes into great detail.

Also on deck is a brand-new interview with director R. J. Kizer, who Americanized Godzilla 1985 (1984) for American release. This is the most in-depth director Kizer has ever gotten about the making of the film, and he reveals many new details for the first time. Who was the Roger Corman regular up for the role of General Goodhue? Read the interview to find out!

If you didn't already know that content is king on Vantage Point Interviews, you do now!

Content Is King at Vantage Point Interviews!

With Don Frye in July 2014.

Vantage Point Interviews is back with several great interviews. One is a never-before-published July 2008 interview with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) star Don Frye, whose role as Captain Douglas Gordon remains a fan favorite to this day.

The other two Q&As are brand-new and concern the late producer-screenwriter Reuben Bercovitch, whose credits include: Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), Monster Zero (1965), The War of the Gargantuas (1966), Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966), and Hell in the Pacific (1968) with Toshiro Mifune. The biographical interview was conducted with Mr. Bercovitch's wife and oldest son. A follow-up interview with another son of Reuben Bercovitch reveals a fun tidbit about War of the Gargantuas.

Check 'em out today!

The Great Godzilla Special Effects Kingdom!

Through June 27, Gallery Aamo at Tokyo Dome City will host a special exhibit called "The Great Godzilla Special Effects Kingdom." There are plenty of props, scripts, and suits on display. But, as they say, a picture's worth a thousand words, so let's check out the highlights.

MATANGO! Viewing the Toho Classic in 35mm!

Akira Kubo. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I was lucky enough to take in a 35mm screening of the Toho classic Matango along with Toho star Akira Kubo. Matango, of course, is one of Toho's most effective horror films, and it was quite fun to be able to look over at Kubo-san's reactions during some of the key scenes.

I hadn't seen Kubo-san in close to three years, and not only did he remember me, it was wonderful to see him doing so well. All in all, it was quite a day!

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!

UNPACKING HARUNA FUJI! Getting to Know Actress Keiko Sawai!

Posing with Toho actress Keiko Sawai in Yokohama.

In Monster Zero (1965), Astronaut Glenn (Nick Adams) quips that his partner, Fuji (Akira Takarada), should have left his sister packed in ice before leaving for Planet X. On February 14, a few lucky fans had an opportunity to unpack Haruna Fuji and get to know actress Keiko Sawai.

Keiko Sawai poses for pictures. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Aside from Monster Zero, tokusatsu fans will remember her as the doomed girl in the hospital whom Nick Adams comforts at the beginning of Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965) and her appearance in episode 8 of Ultra Q (1966). She also had a turn in the quirky comedy Konto 55: Space Adventure (1969), which was also a tokusatsu film in its own right.

Despite being initially shy, it certainly seemed that Sawai-san got into the spirit of the event and began to enjoy herself immensely. She went out of her way to be friendly to me, which I appreciate. Sometimes actresses can be aloof (and understandably so), but that was not the case with Sawai-san.

I had a blast meeting Keiko Sawai. Hopefully I'll get another chance down the line. All of us in attendance are lucky to have "unpacked" Haruna Fuji and met the real Sawai-san!

A SPECIAL MONSTER ZERO EVENT COMES TO YOKOHAMA! MZ Vets Gather to Disucss This Popular Kaiju Romp!

Actress Keiko Sawai and assistant SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano host a panel discussion about Monster Zero (1965) following a screening of the film. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Sunday, February 14, was a memorable day for several reasons. First, it was Valentine's Day. Also, it was unseasonably warm. Seriously, it felt like late spring, and even though I dressed light today, it still felt hot. Third, and most important, today marked a special event in Yokohama that centered around the Toho classic Monster Zero (1965).

Actress Keiko Sawai, still as lovely as ever, smiles as the gathered fans take her picture. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Keiko Sawai (who played Haruna Fuji) made a rare appearance at the event, and even though she appeared rather shy at first, she seemed to warm up quickly to the fans in attendance. I'm happy to say that she seemed to show special interest in me. During a break, she was standing with her manager, but once we made eye contact, she approached me, and we began talking. I gave her a present I had prepared for her (a box of chocolates) since it was Valentine's Day. She was quite pleased to receive it.

Standing between Keiko Sawai and Teruoyoshi Nakano, following their panel discussion.

Teruyoshi Nakano was in attendance as well, and he adds liveliness to any event he attends. Besides, it's always a lot of fun whenever he says (in English), "Nice boy!"

Optical effects expert Sadao Iizuka helped bring King Ghidorah to life. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Sadao Iizuka also appeared, and given that he animated King Ghidorah's gravity ray, it was most appropriate. Iizuka-san is a kind gentleman and is always happy to meet his fans.

The 35mm print of Monster Zero was excellent. One detail I noticed for the first time was that, in Akira Kubo's bedroom scene toward the beginning of the film, there's a rolled-up poster for 007. Who knew there was a James Bond reference in the Showa series?

The event also gave me a chance to catch up with my fellow fans. There are some cool things in development, and naturally they'll be reported on this blog when they happen.

The event was another smashing success, and I cannot wait for the next one. Fortunately, the wait won't be a long one!

Two legends, Sadao Iizuka and Teruyoshi Nakano, share a laugh in Yokohama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

See you next time!

MONSTER ZERO LOCATION! Here They Fled from Godzilla!

The Kanda River in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, was barely spared destruction in Monster Zero (1965). Photo by Brett Homenick. 

As I wrote about in my previous blog post, today I went to the Fujisan Sengen Shrine in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, which is at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Even though I enjoy seeing shrines and other sites of historical value, the main reason for my visit was that the area was a filming location in Monster Zero (a.k.a. Invasion of Astro Monster, 1965).

The Mitarashi Bridge, which stands over the Kanda River, was the likely site of fleeing crowds in Monster Zero. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

When the Xians unleash Godzilla and Rodan on Japan in Monster Zero, Godzilla ravages the area around Mt. Fuji. At one point, townspeople near the mountain can be seen running alongside a river, and they can also be seen running across a bridge with red railings. These scenes were shot right next to Fujisan Sengen Shrine in Fujinomiya.

Could this bridge have been used in the shot in which the police car accompanies the evacuees? Interestingly, there's a koban (police box) right next to the bridge. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Even though the location is certainly the Kanda River, it is difficult to say with 100% accuracy if the bridges seen in the film are the same ones that stand today. For example, they both are noticeably different, and even the red railing of the Mitarashi Bridge is different from what we see in the movie. Was the bridge restructured? Was it a different bridge entirely? A lot can happen in 50 years, but I feel confident that the Mitarashi Bridge is what we see in the film.

I should point out that Fujinomiya is extremely far from Tokyo, so if you decide to check this filming location out for yourself, be sure not to have much else planned for your day. I'd also like to mention that, as in Monster Zero, you can normally see Mt. Fuji in the background of Fujisan Sengen Shrine and the surrounding area. However, lousy weather prevented Mt. Fuji from being visible in any of my shots.

Yours truly, standing where hordes of people once ran, pointing to where Godzilla once rampaged.

All in all, I had a great time checking out a new filming location from the Godzilla series. Monster Zero is a classic from the Showa era that seems to get even more popular as time goes on, and part of the excitement of living in Japan is having the time to visit these out-of-the-way places that tourists simply do not have.

Atami Castle, one of the more famous locations from the Godzilla series. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On the way home, I had to change trains at Atami Station, and from the platform I could see Atami Castle in the distance. Of course, Atami Castle was destroyed by the dueling kaiju in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), just prior to the end of the film. As a bonus, I took its picture, too.