A Lively Q&A with a Legend of the Silver Screen!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today (Wednesday, May 24), I had the distinct privilege of interviewing actress Yoko Takahashi. I've blogged about Takahashi-san many times in the past, but, for those of you not in the know, she has worked with directors Kon Ichikawa, Kinji Fukasaku, and Kei Kumai -- as well as actors Tetsuro Tamba, Kunie Tanaka, Ken Tanaka, and Rentaro Mikuni -- throughout her illustrious career, during which she was usually the lead actress. 

The interview covered a lot of ground, and Takahashi-san spoke a lot about her childhood. Naturally, hearing about her star-making turn in Journey into Solitude (1972) and her memories of working on the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974) were also enlightening. I'd love to publish the interview right away, but, as readers of this blog know by now, the process will take a while before it's ready.

Many thanks to Takahashi-san and her agency for their hospitality -- and for allotting way more time for the interview than I could have expected. I'm very grateful!

A Legendary Shochiku Actress in Concert!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Actress Yoko Takahashi held a fun event earlier tonight (Wednesday, March 22) in Daikanyama. It was something of a mini variety show, as she not only sang and played the guitar but also acted in a comedy skit and talked about her acting career.

Yoko Takahashi sings and plays the guitar. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The bulk of the event, of course, featured Takahashi-san singing and playing the guitar. I wasn't all that familiar with the songs she sang, but she did perform one by Kyu Sakamoto, and at least I know he is!

Yoko Takahashi as a cat! Photo by Brett Homenick.

The highlight for me was the skit that took place just after the intermission. Takahashi-san played a cat that communicates with a space alien using telepathy! It was just as silly as it sounds. The alien sure seemed surprised to hear about milk!

For those of you not aware, Takahashi-san starred in the Shochiku classic Journey into Solitude (1972), which was followed by turns in the Oscar-nominated film Sandakan 8 (1974), as well as Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

After the performance, Takahashi-san signed autographs and posed for pictures with the audience. I was lucky enough to get a couple of photographs, as well as exchange a few words with her. I should mention that she came out to greet members of the audience before the show started, and she hung out with my friend (who's also a tokusatsu fan) and me for a few minutes. So I came away from the event more than satisfied.

Many thanks to Takahashi-san for such a wonderful evening!

A 50-Year 'Journey into Solitude' Celebrated at Meguro Cinema!

A Journey into Solitude poster outside of Meguro Cinema. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Friday night, October 21, I attended a screening of the Shochiku drama Journey into Solitude (1972), starring Yoko Takahashi and written by Fumio Ishimori, at Meguro Cinema. After the film, Takahashi-san took the stage for a Q&A session about the film. The film was released in Japan 50 years ago on October 27, 1972.

Another Journey into Solitude poster. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Due to my work schedule, I arrived quite late, and I was only able to catch the last half or so of the movie. Still, it looked absolutely gorgeous in 35mm with its luscious Shikoku locations. Seeing it 50 years after it was made, it still almost felt like you were really there!

19-year-old Yoko Takahashi is all smiles on this Journey into Solitude poster. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This film was Yoko Takahashi's debut performance, and it singlehandedly launched her film career. She went on to star in the Oscar-nominated film Sandakan 8 (1974), as well as Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977). 

Yoko Takahashi's Q&A event. Photo by Brett Homenick.

During her Q&A, Takahashi-san talked about auditioning for the film and shared some of her memories of the location shooting. It was a very entertaining talk, and, despite the lateness of the hour, Takahashi-san was laughing and in great spirits throughout it.

A photo of Takahashi-san taken in 1996 is projected onto the big screen. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Takahashi-san stayed in the theater after her interview for a short while, taking photos and signing autographs. It didn't take long for a crowd of people to gather around her, so I decided to approach Takahashi-san's Journey into Solitude co-star, Rie Yokoyama, instead. 

Rie Yokoyama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yokoyama-san often accompanies Takahashi-san to her public events, and, considering that she also appears in the film, it wasn't a surprise to see her there. She wasn't being mobbed like Takahashi-san was, so the approach was much easier. Not only did she remember me, but she even introduced me to another person she was talking to. How cool is that?

Yokoyama-san has enjoyed a varied career on the big and small screen. She appears in such films and television programs as: Nagisa Oshima's Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar (1969), Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972), episode 10 of Horror Theater Unbalance (1973), Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973), and Kinji Fukasaku's New Battles without Honor and Humanity: Last Days of the Boss (1976). 

I had a nice, but brief, chat with Yokoyama-san, who was about ready to leave when I approached her. I hung around for a while to see if I could talk to Takahashi-san, but she was quickly whisked away by the staff shortly thereafter. Oh, well. It was still great to see the film on the big screen for its 50th anniversary, as well as to spend a few moments with Yokoyama-san, so the trip was well worth it. 

I'm already looking forward to the next event!

Experiencing the Musical Side of Takahashi-san!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Tuesday evening, April 5, I attended a musical performance by actress Yoko Takahashi. Takahashi-san was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Rie Yokoyama (left) onstage with Yoko Takahashi.

The event was held in Daikanyama, Tokyo. Takahashi-san sang and played the guitar with a couple of other back-up musicians. Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with most of the songs she played, but there were a couple of familiar pieces.

Rie Yokoyama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

There was an intermission of sorts, during which fellow actress Rie Yokoyama went onstage and discussed her acting career with Takahashi-san. Afterward, Takahashi-san continued playing music.

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Of particular note, Takahashi-san sang the (Japanese) theme to Popeye, which I thought was quite entertaining. I mentioned that to her after the show as my favorite song that she performed.

 All in all, it was a fun evening, and I got to see a different side of Takahashi-san. If there is another such performance in the near future, I hope I have a chance to attend!

Christmas Day in Tokyo!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This was an unusual Christmas for me, to say the least. I had to work that day (nothing unusual about that for me), but what was unusual was that I got to attend another special event with Yoko Takahashi and Rie Yokoyama.

I've met Takahashi-san several times (this year alone!). She was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Rie Yokoyama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yokoyama-san appears in Nagisa Oshima's Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar (1969), Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972), episode 10 of Horror Theater Unbalance (1973), Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973), and Kinji Fukasaku's New Battles without Honor and Humanity: Last Days of the Boss (1976).

I especially enjoyed hanging out with Takahashi-san, who is always a blast. She told me about visiting New York several years ago and her interest in music. Even though she must have been exhausted by the end (I know I was!), she never let it show.

It was a fun way to spend Christmas!

Another Evening with Takahashi-san!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight, I attended another event with actress Yoko Takahashi. As I mentioned last week, Takahashi-san was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

I enjoyed talking with Takahashi-san about Robert De Niro movies, of whom she is a big fan. We talked about movies like The Untouchables, The Deer Hunter, and Raging Bull. One of her fans mentioned The Peanuts, and Takahashi-san was surprised when I knew who they were. When I said that I knew them through Mothra, she suddenly broke out into the Mothra song!

Even though it had only been less than a week since we last met, it was a lot of fun seeing her again. I hope we get a chance to do it again soon!

Spending a Fun Evening with a Wonderful Actress!

With Yoko Takahashi.

Tonight, I attended a special event with actress Yoko Takahashi. Takahashi-san was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

My favorite part of the evening was talking American movies with Takahashi-san. She talked about a number of Jack Nicholson films from the '70s and '80s (including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Five Easy Pieces, and The Postman Always Rings Twice), to which a friend of mine at the event mentioned Nicholson's small role in Little Shop of Horrors. This prompted me to mention another Nicholson/Roger Corman collaboration, The Terror, which naturally Takahashi-san had never heard of. (She didn't recognize the name Boris Karloff, so I pointed out that he was the actor who played Frankenstein.)

We also talked about my favorite movie from the last few years, Joker, which Takahashi-san had seen but did not really enjoy. She didn't find Joaquin Phoenix particularly believable as a clown, but she talked about how surprised she was when he shot Robert De Niro's character toward the end. She seemed to enjoy Parasite more, but that was a movie I didn't enjoy at all.

Overall, it was a very fun evening, and I'm glad I had a chance to visit with Takahashi-san again. It's always a lot of fun to hang out with her.

She Looks Familiar...

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight, I attended another event with none other than actress Yoko Takahashi. If you're thinking she looks familiar, she should! I just her met her last Monday evening, as well.

As always, it was an enjoyable time.

A Great Way to Cap the Evening!

With Yoko Takahashi.

As you can see, it's been a busy week for me. Today, I spent the evening at an event with actress Yoko Takahashi. Takahashi-san was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Takahashi-san was in a particularly fun mood tonight, and she seemed eager to practice some English. She even sang the theme song to Popeye, which both surprised and amused me. Suffice it to say, I couldn't have planned a better way to finish the evening.

A Trio of Great Guests!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday night, I had the privilege of attending a fun dinner event with three very special guests, one of whom was a surprise. They were actresses Yoko Takahashi and Rie Yokoyama, as well as director Toru Murakawa.

I've met Takahashi-san several times over the years. She was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Rie Yokoyama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yokoyama-san appears in Nagisa Oshima's Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar (1969), Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972), episode 10 of Horror Theater Unbalance (1973), Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973), and Kinji Fukasaku's New Battles without Honor and Humanity: Last Days of the Boss (1976).

I briefly met Yokoyama-san earlier this year, but this time I had a bit more time to spend in her company, which naturally I was happy to do.

Toru Murakawa is a director best known for his many collaborations with actor Yusaku Matsuda. Murakawa-san directed the films The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf (1979) and The Beast to Die (1980), both of which star Matsuda.

On the small screen, he directed episodes of Daitsuiseki (1978) and Tantei Monogatari (1979-80). However, I know Murakawa-san best as the chief assistant director of the Japanese scenes of Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970).

And there you have it! The guests were great, and I had a wonderful time. Let's do it again soon!

Taking in a '70s Actioner, Shochiku-Style!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Monday. January 14, I was able to attend another interesting film screening.

The movie was Hangyaku no Tabi (1976), produced by Shochiku Studios. The movie is a hard-boiled actioner -- at least by Shochiku standards, which is the studio that bought us the films of Yasujiro Ozu and the Tora-san series. The flick opens with a brutal killing, and things only get more violent from there. It's certainly not wall-to-wall action, and the violence was depicted in a realistic way. Of particular interest to me was the giant poster for King Kong (1976) that could be seen briefly in the background of an outdoor location. 

Two notable actresses who appear in the film were guests at the event.

The main guest was Yoko Takahashi. Takahashi-san's best-known work in the West is the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Also in attendance was Rie Yokoyama. Yokoyama-san appears in Nagisa Oshima's Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar (1969), Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972), episode 10 of Horror Theater Unbalance (1973), Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973), and Kinji Fukasaku's New Battles without Honor and Humanity: Last Days of the Boss (1976).

I've met Takahashi-san several times over the years, but this was my first time to meet Yokoyama-san. Due to my work schedule, I had to leave shortly after the movie ended, but I was happy to see it in 35mm.

Attending a Special Yoko Takahashi Event

Actress Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, January 14, I attended a special event with actress Yoko Takahashi. I've blogged about Takahashi-san in the past. She's an actress whose best known credits are the Academy Award-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974) and Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977). 

It had been about a year since I last met Takahashi-san, so it was great to see her again. She's an extremely friendly actress, and each time I see her is a lot of fun.

SANDAKAN 8! Seeing a Classic of Japanese Cinema for the First Time!

Japanese actress Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Today, I had the distinct privilege of meeting actress Yoko Takahashi for the second time. The occasion was a rare screening of the classic Japanese film, Sandakan 8 (1974), which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1975 Academy Awards (losing to Akira Kurosawa's Dersu Uzala). Aside from her leading role in Sandakan 8, Takahashi-san can also be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

This was my first time to see Sandakan 8, though I've known about it for more than 20 years. For the longest time, I simply knew it as a dramatic film for which Akira Ifukube wrote the score. I later learned about its Oscar nomination and the fact that Gene Siskel put it on his top 10 list for the best films of 1976. (Siskel ranked it third best of the year.) However, never having found a subtitled copy to watch, I avoided it for the longest time, hoping to enjoy the translated version. However, given that a rare 35mm screening of the film was happening (with a special appearance by one of its stars), how could I say no?

The film was quite impressive and easy to follow, despite my lack of Japanese. Takahashi-san, who plays Saki Kitagawa as a young woman, was present for the screening, and was very friendly and approachable. A Japanese friend of mine gave me a couple of stills from the film for Takahashi-san to sign for me. Many thanks! Takahashi-san stayed at the event quite late, and when it was finished, I was invited to ride in the taxi with her to the station, and we even rode the train together part of the way home. Suffice it to say, it was quite a day.

MEETING MISAKO WATANABE! The Kwaidan Cast Member Recalls Her Acting Career!

Actress Misako Watanabe at a recent event. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

I just returned from a special event with actress Misako Watanabe. Debuting in 1953, Watanabe-san has enjoyed a long, award-winning acting career that extends to this day. During her career, Watanabe-san was primarily an actress at Nikkatsu Studios. Appropriately, one of her films from the studio was screened today, the stylish drama Don't Bet on Human Beings (1964).

I was interested in her mainly because of her role as the second wife in the "Black Hair" segment of Kwaidan (1964), a longtime favorite of mine. She also appears in episode 1 of Tsuburaya Productions' Unbalance (1973) and is featured in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

I enjoyed dinner with Watanabe-san, who sometimes threw in some English phrases into the conversation, such as, "Let's eat!" She also talked to me about the presidential election. She said that she watched the presidential debates with Japanese subtitles and even quoted (in English) Trump's repeated "Wrong!" interruptions. Suffice it to say, I never thought I'd be discussing presidential politics with a cast member from Kwaidan, but it's certainly one of the most memorable experiences of the year.

Another great evening was had by all. Let's do it again soon!