'Green Slime' Actor Jack Morris Passes Away at Age 84

Jack Morris (right) poses with Robert Horton. Photo courtesy of Jack Morris. The Green Slime © 1968, Toei Co., Ltd.

According to a longtime friend of the actor, Jack Morris, who appeared as Lt. Morris in the made-in-Japan cult classic The Green Slime (1968), passed away last night, September 20. He was 84.

John Robert Morris was born on April 29, 1940, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Mr. Morris moved to Japan in 1967 and eventually returned to Canada in 1972. Mr. Morris spoke extensively about his memories making The Green Slime in my 2021 interview with him, which you can find here.

He is survived by his wife Kyoko, as well as his children James, John, and Mika. 

Rest in peace to a friendly gentleman. Sincere condolences to Mr. Morris' family and friends.

A Dramatic Reading Gets Much More Dramatic Afterward!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night (Saturday, January 27), I made my way to another dramatic reading performed by Masanori Machida. This time, Machida-san's story was less a recital of a script and more like a miniature play, featuring several other actors who weren't reading from a script. The story centered around an old woman who wanted to look young and beautiful, so she sought out plastic surgery. It was quite interesting and was a nice change of pace.

Suffice it to say, I came to the venue prepared. After the performance, I brought quite a few DVDs and Blu-rays that feature Machida-san. Most were public-domain releases of Monster from a Prehistoric Planet (1967), which is one of my favorite kaiju movies. On one release, it's paired with Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967), as well as the Roger Corman edit of the Soviet film Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965), another favorite.

I thought it would be cool to have Machida-san pose with these various releases before signing them. The photos turned out great, as did the autographs. With that said, here are some of the shots I was able to get. Enjoy!

Another Fun Evening of Dramatic Readings!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Sunday, October 22), I attended another dramatic reading with the great Masanori Machida. As always, it was great to see him again.

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Next month, there's an event centered on a movie in which he appears, so I asked him if he would join that event. He told me he wouldn't have a chance due to his stage acting. It's too bad, but at least I got my answer.

One of the performers didn't use a script when she spoke. But there was an assistant behind the curtain who would feed her her lines when she forgot them. You could hear the assistant whispering the lines more than a few times throughout her performance. It was pretty awkward to see, but also slightly amusing. 

Not much else to say, so that's a wrap. It's still only October, but it's gotten quite cold in Tokyo, so it looks like winter's starting early this year.

All the Drama You Can Take at a Dramatic Reading!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Sunday, August 27), I went to another dramatic reading with Masanori Machida. It'd been a while since I last saw him at one of these readings, and as always it was a lot of fun. Not much else to say, really, so let's look at the highlights.

Attending a Live Performance That Was All the Way Live!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Sunday, May 28), I attended another live performance by Masanori Machida. These events are always a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon or evening. Machida-san is always a cool cat.

I actually wasn't sure whether I would attend just because I found myself a bit busy earlier in the day, but, when I finished with enough time to attend, I decided to do it. I couldn't attend last month's performance because it was held on a Thursday, and it interfered with my work schedule. 

Tonight more than made up for that, however. As always, it was great to spend some time with Machida-san. Can't wait to do it again!

Clark Kent Comes to Tokyo? No, It's Machida-san!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Sunday, March 26), I attended another dramatic reading featuring the great Masanori Machida. Actually, I arrived late to the show, but I was quite surprised to find that the show was literally wrapping up as I entered! I was particularly surprised because last month's performance went on much longer than I expected. Perhaps the heavy rains kept a performer or two away -- in any case, it was interesting that the show ended so soon.

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I had a few screen grabs on my phone from The Green Slime (1968), in which Machida-san played one of the aliens. I wanted to confirm that he played the very first alien that we see in the film in its full form -- the one writhing on the floor next to the "Danger High Voltage" sign that Robert Horton wants to shoot with a laser gun before he's talked out of it. (A net is fired on in instead.) Machida-san looked at the grabs and confirmed that was him.

I told Machida-san that he looked cool in his costume and that he looked like a detective. He told me that, in today's story, he played a character who wants to become Superman, so he dressed like Clark Kent. I thought that sounded great, and it made me regret that I missed his performance. 

Despite the miserable weather, it was a fun evening. Many thanks to Machida-san!

A Windy Evening in the Company of a Great Performer!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Sunday, February 26), I attended yet another dramatic reading featuring actor Masanori Machida. Actually, by the time I arrived, Machida-san had already given his performance, so I missed it, unfortunately. Interestingly, there were probably more people in attendance than I'd ever seen before, and there seemed to be mostly brand-new staff members there, too, as there were plenty of new faces and very few people I recognized.

I brought a flyer for the Laputa Asagaya's Science Fiction Film Festival for Machida-san to sign. Since The Green Slime (1968) was one of the featured films in the program, it was certainly a relevant item for him to sign. I was surprised to find out that Machida-san didn't know about the screenings. I figured he must have known about it, so I regret not giving him a heads-up about it.

After signing the flyer, Machida-san stepped away to greet other audience members and then came back to me and asked me if I wanted to take photos. Of course I did! As usual, it was quite fun. A big thanks to Machida-san for another fun evening!

'The Green Slime' Invades the Laputa Asagaya in 35mm!

Signage for The Green Slime screening at the Laputa Asagaya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight (Monday, February 20), I had the privilege of seeing The Green Slime (1968) in 35mm. I'd seen the movie projected twice before -- once in an old-timey theater way back in March 1996, and the other time in November 2009 at an L.A.-area convention. As far as I know, both screenings were from the same 16mm print owned by a private collector.

Interestingly, though, I didn't sit through the entire film either time. In 1996, I wasn't all that interested in the movie (to be perfectly honest), so I would occasionally leave my seat to check out the videos on sale in the theater lobby. In 2009, I assisted Luciana Paluzzi at her autograph table and only caught about the first third or so of the movie.

Publicity material for The Green Slime in the theater lobby. Photo by Brett Homenick.

So this screening promised to be much different, and it would be presented in the far superior 35mm format. The only drawback was that it was the inferior Japanese cut of the film, which edits out as much of the drama as possible. The runtime for this version is only 77 minutes, so you can get an idea of how much got left on the cutting room floor.

Out and about in Asagaya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The print itself was in good condition, and none of the typical imperfections one normally gets with such prints was that distracting. It did seem to my eye, however, that the first few minutes were a bit faded, but after that the print looked great to me. 

Naturally, I enjoyed the film, and it was especially fun seeing so many people I've interviewed over the years in the movie. I finally got to get a good look at the late Tom Korzeniowski (billed here as Tom Conrad) in the film, which was the icing on the cake. I also have to give the three leads a lot of credit for giving it their all in what must have seemed like a rather silly film.

It's quite amusing to think that, just three years after The Green Slime, Richard Jaeckel would appear in the Paul Newman-directed drama Sometimes a Great Notion (1971), which would earn him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. The Green Slime helped pave the way to the Academy Awards ceremony!

All in all, it was another fun evening at the Laputa Asagaya for the theater's Science Fiction Film Festival program. Hard to believe there are only two films left before it ends. I'm really glad I finally got to see The Green Slime properly in 35mm. It's just too bad it wasn't the American version! Can't win 'em all, though.

Story Time with Machida-san!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, July 31, I took in another dramatic reading with Masanori Machida. In previous Julys, the stories told would have a spooky theme, so I was hoping for a repeat. Not this time, unfortunately. Oh, well. I still enjoyed myself.

After the show, I had a nice chat with Machida-san, who told me just a bit about an upcoming project. Nothing has been announced, though, so he was understandably tight-lipped. I look forward to hearing more about it when the news is announced.

Did I mention how unbelievably hot it was? I can't remember the last time a summer in Japan was this insufferable? The summer of 2013 was pretty bad, but I think this has been even worse. I remember looking forward to summer during the colder months, but now I'm already looking forward to fall!

Robert Horton Biography Now Available!

Robert Horton poses with The Green Slime costar Luciana Paluzzi in Los Angeles in 2009. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Author Aileen Elliott's biography of actor Robert Horton entitled In Search of Flint McCullough and Robert Horton: The Man Behind the Myth has just been published by BearManor Media. This 356-page tome promises to be the most in-depth examination of the actor's life and career ever published.

Robert Horton, with his wife Marilynn Bradley Horton, prepares to sign autographs. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Sometime after his passing in 2016, I was contacted by the author and conducted an interview by email about my memories of Mr. Horton. I was happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the book and look forward to seeing how everything turned out.

I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Horton in 2008 and stayed in touch with him until his passing. I always enjoyed our telephone conversations and wish we still could have more. I met him for the first time at a screening of the The Green Slime (1968) in Los Angeles in 2009. In the summer of 2012, Mr. Horton invited me to visit him at his home when I visited L.A. from Japan. 

Fans of The Green Slime ought to give In Search of Flint McCullough and Robert Horton: The Man Behind the Myth a read. When I get the chance, I know I will!

'Green Slime' actor Tom Korzeniowski Passes Away at Age 83

Tom Korzeniowski in more recent years. Photo © Tom Korzeniowski.

According to his obituary, Thomas Michael Korzeniowski, who appears as an extra in the cult classic The Green Slime (1968), passed away on February 12 of this year. He was 83. His obituary shares many details of his early life prior to his acting work in Japan:

Tom was born on March 31, 1937 in Detroit, MI to Frank and Catherine (Molenda) Korzeniowski. He was baptized in the Catholic faith, and after the untimely passing of his parents, spent his formative years with relatives and then at Boysville, after which he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954. Deployed to Japan, he met and married Toshie Tanaka in 1956. While in the USAF, he worked in Cryptography, radio broadcasting for the Far East Network (FEN), became a Lifetime Pistol Marksman and achieved 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo at the Kodokan in Tokyo.

On May 9, 1968, Mr. Korzeniowski was promoted to 2nd degree black belt by Kodokan Judo in Tokyo. Photo © Tom Korzeniowski.

Quoting more from his obituary:

Recognized as an Emmy Award winning Journalist (1980-1981 for coverage of the Reagan shooting), he worked for WJR radio in Detroit, WJBK, WBBM and WMAQ as a News Reporter/Anchor in Detroit and Chicago, after which he left news reporting for Communications positions for Baxter Travenol and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, was a 50 ton vessel Masters License holder from the US Coast Guard, and concluded with writing for WGN News in Chicago. An accomplished Aviator, he also loved sail boating, motorcycling, target shooting, firearms, archery, fencing, hunting, SCUBA diving, astronomy, photography, model trains, reading, watching movies, playing the alto saxophone and piano. He earned his Bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan, and his Master's degree at the University of Chicago, enjoyed Classical music and doted over his Portuguese Waterdog, Abby.

With Tom Korzeniowski in Chicago in July 2012. Photo © Brett Homenick.

I was privileged to interview Mr. Korzeniowski in 2010 about his memories of working in Japan, primarily on the The Green Slime. He not only acted in that film (under the name Tom Conrad), but he also appeared in Flight from Ashiya (1964) along with Yul Brynner, Richard Widmark, and George Chakiris. He also was a voice actor for William Ross on several movies.

I last spoke to Mr. Korzeniowski over the phone in August 2020. We caught up on a few things, and he reminisced about his work on The Green Slime. He was in great spirits, so it's hard to believe we lost him so shortly thereafter. 

Thank you for your friendship, Tom. Rest in peace.

'The Green Slime' Comes to Vantage Point Interviews!

Jack Morris (in the cast) mourns Richard Jaeckel. Photo courtesy of Jack Morris. The Green Slime © 1968, Toei Co., Ltd.

A brand-new interview has just been posted to Vantage Point Interviews, this time with Jack Morris, a veteran of the cult classic The Green Slime (1968). The interview features plenty of never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos from Mr. Morris' personal collection!

Content is king at Vantage Point Interviews, and this interview is certainly no exception. Check it out today!

Mr. Machida Performs Again!

Actor Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight, I attended another dramatic reading presented by actor Masanori Machida, a prolific actor whose career as a child performer dates back to the early 1960s. My interview with Machida-san about his career can be found here.

For the reading, Machida-san wore a rather unusual costume. I quite liked it! It's always fun to see what Machida-san comes up with next.

Grace Miyabe Speaks at Vantage Point Interviews!

Linda Mabrey as a nurse in The Green Slime. Photo courtesy of Linda Mabrey.

Vantage Point Interviews has a brand-new interview with Linda Mabrey (a.k.a. Linda Malsom), the actress who played Grace Miyabe in episode 19 of Ultra Seven (1967-68). She also appears as a nurse in The Green Slime (1968). These topics and much more are discussed in our interview. So drop what you're doing and check it out now!

SUPER FESTIVAL 75! A Brief Look at the Tokyo-Based Collectibles Show

I stopped by Super Festival 75 today. Unfortunately, I didn't see very much there worth photographing. It seems like I've seen it all before. I actually did manage to spend some money this time, but only about 1,500 yen (which ain't a whole lot). Here are some of the more interesting sights. I'll also make a couple of follow-up blog posts. Stay tuned.

INTERVIEW ON LINDA HARDISTY! Vantage Point Interviews Returns!

Author Mike Worley's favorite picture of Linda Hardisty. Photo courtesy of Mike Worley.

Vantage Point Interviews is back with a conversation with mystery writer Mike Worley, who was close to the late Ultra Seven (1967-68) actress Linda Hardisty for many years. Due to the young age at which Ms. Hardisty passed away, Ultra Seven fans have known very little about her life. The interview with Mike Worley begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together for us.

Please read and enjoy the interview, and don't forget to comment!