Another Day at Ulf's

Ulf Otsuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I visited actor Ulf Otsuki at his home and enjoyed another afternoon and evening in his company. Since he's a big fan of Westerns, he wanted to show me the John Ford classic Stagecoach (1939), which I'd actually never seen before. Westerns typically aren't my bag, but I felt Stagecoach lived up to its reputation.

After the movie, it was dinnertime! We went to our regular haunt, which we've been visiting for the last three years. (Has it been that long?) All in all, it was a great day!

Hangin' with the Ulf-Man

Yesterday, December 29, I visited Ulf Otsuki again at his home. Unlike our usual meetings, we didn't watch a movie. Instead, we had a bit of a night on the town. It was an interesting change of pace.

Seeing Ulf again was certainly a great way to close out 2017!

A Day with Ulf

Actor Ulf Otsuki. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

It'd also been a long time since I last visited Ulf Otsuki, but today I finally had another chance. I visited him at his home, and we took in John Wayne's last movie, The Shootist (1976). It was my first time seeing the film, and while I'm hardly a John Wayne aficionado, I enjoyed the picture. Ulf was certainly very impressed by it.

After the movie, we went out for Indian food. Suffice it to say, it was a great time. Can't wait to do it all over again!

A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A HOLIDAY! Paying a Visit to an Old Friend!

 Posing with his co-star, Kamen Rider. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I had a holiday on Monday, August 14, so I went to see Ulf Otsuki at his home. We watched a few episodes of Kamen Rider Drive (2014-15), on which he guest-starred in two episodes as Harley Hendrickson. Suffice it to say, Drive isn't my favorite show, but it was great to see Ulf in a recent tokusatsu project. 

After that, it was off to dinner at a family restaurant with Ulf's family. A great time was had by all. Looking forward to doing it again soon!

OUT AND ABOUT! Visiting Ulf One More Time!

Actor Ulf Otsuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On June 29, I visited  actor Ulf Otsuki at his home, and we watched another classic film from Hollywood. I chose Come Back, Little Sheba (1952) from Ulf's collection for a specific reason. When I interviewed Robert Horton in 2008, Mr. Horton mentioned this movie to me while discussing Richard Jaeckel (who has a supporting role in the picture). It's been in the back of my mind ever since then, so when I saw it among the titles in Ulf''s DVD collection, I recommended we watch it.

After watching the film, we went out again for dinner, and you guessed it, we had Indian food. Delicious stuff, as usual. Another fun day!

FUJIKO HEMMING IN CONCERT! Seeing the Latest Performance of One of Japan's Most Famous Musicians!

 

Classical pianist Fujiko Hemming shares a photo with the cameraman. Photo by Brett Homenick.

It is no exaggeration to say that Fujiko Hemming is one of Japan's most famous classical musicians. Whenever I meet an actor, director, or anybody from show biz, and the subject of Ulf Otsuki comes up, the person may not know Ulf, but if you explain that he is the brother of pianist Fujiko Hemming, he or she will certainly know who that is. I've never met a person in Japan who wasn't familiar with Fujiko Hemming when her name was mentioned.

Tonight, I had the privilege of attending Fujiko Hemming's concert at the Sumida Triphony Hall. The concert hall holds some 1,800 seats, and nearly all of them were filled this evening. The concert consisted solely of Fujiko Hemming's playing the piano. That's all she needs to give the performance her fans enjoy. It was quite interesting to see how many avid fans she has, and how young many of them are.

Given that I was invited by Ulf to join the concert, I didn't have a ticket, but Ulf invited me to sit on the stage next to him during the concert. Suffice it to say, it was a unique way to see the show! Of course, Fujiko Hemming's performance was perfect, and I enjoyed hearing many familiar classical tunes.

I got to meet and speak with Fujiko Hemming backstage after the concert, and after that, I went to dinner with Ulf, his family, and a couple of friends. A great time was had by all. What an evening!

ULF OTSUKI'S STATUE IN NARA! The Godzilla Series Actor Is Immortalized in Bronze!

Actor Ulf Otsuki served as the model for this statue outside the Nara Prefectural Museum of Art. Photo by Brett Homenick.

We all know of the various Godzilla statues and other attractions in and around Tokyo, but did you know there is a statue of a Godzilla series actor in Japan? It's true. Actor Ulf Otsuki (the bearded Seatopian agent from Godzilla vs. Megalon) has his very own statue in Nara.

When Ulf was 19 years old (and a member of the acting troupe Haiyuza), he was selected as the model for this statue by Japanese artist Yasuo Sugawara, an old friend of Ulf's mother. The statue is currently at the entrance of the Nara Prefectural Museum of Art, and one can view the statue without buying a ticket to enter the museum.

When I visited Nara at the end of May, I stopped by the museum to photograph the statue. Ulf had told me about it several times, and it was something I intended to see for myself. Suffice it to say, it is quite interesting!

GREAT COMPANY IN TOKYO! A Day with One of Japan's Coolest Guys!

 Actor Ulf Otsuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

As I occasionally do, I visited Ulf Otsuki's home again, and we watched another Hollywood classic. After searching through a few of Ulf's DVD titles, we settled on the Peter Lorre crime drama Crime and Punishment (1935). It was my first time to see the film, and it was rather intriguing.

Following the film, we walked to our usual Indian restaurant and talked about a variety of subjects. Ulf told me many fascinating stories about his life growing up in Japan, most of which I'd never heard before. Ulf grew up in Japan during World War II, and (as one would expect) he experienced many hardships during that time.

And so another great day comes to a close. Many thanks, as always, to Ulf for his kindness. He's definitely one in a million!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS! Speding the Big Day with a Great Guy!

My birthday was a few days ago, and I spent it at the home of actor Ulf Otsuki. There we watched an old Hollywood flick I'd never heard of, September Affair (1950), with Joseph Cotten. It was pretty enjoyable. After that, we went out to our usual haunt for some dinner.

What a great way to celebrate a birthday! Many thanks to Ulf-san for his never-ending kindness and hospitality.

THE ULF-MAN COMETH! A Day with a Godzilla Series Legend!

Earlier tonight, as I often do, I visited actor Ulf Otsuki at his home, and together we watched another Hollywood classic. This time, it was Frank Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936). Ulf-san is a big admirer of Gary Cooper, and this film was particularly moving for him.

After that, we went out for dinner at our usual haunt and talked about a variety of subjects, from his acting career to the world of American politics. As always, it was a blast!

ANOTHER AFTERNOON WITH ULF! Japanese and American Movie Classics!

Ulf Otsuki poses with his copy of The Invisible Man. Photo By Brett Homenick.

I spent another afternoon at the home of actor Ulf Otsuki. Today, we watched the Frank Capra classic Meet John Doe (1941), which was rather enjoyable. While there, Ulf signed my DVD sleeve of the Toei all-star war film Port Arthur (1980), in which he plays a Russian officer. 

Ulf-san has amassed quite a collection of classic films on DVD, one of which is The Invisible Man. You can never go wrong with the classics! After all the movie talk, we went out for Indian food. Suffice it to say, another fun day was had!

SURELY YOU GESTE! Another Evening with the Ulf-Man!

Actor Ulf Otsuki at our usual Indian restaurant. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

After attending the event earlier today, I headed to actor Ulf Otsuki's home, and we took in another Hollywood classic. This time, it was the Gary Cooper vehicle Beau Geste (1939), which earned Brian Donlevy a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. I enjoyed the second half much more than the first, which took way too long to get on with the story.

After the movie, we went out again for Indian food at our usual location. It was another great meal, after which I returned home. Thank you again for your hospitality, Ulf-san!

A DAY WITH THE ULF-MAN! Going for Lunch in Asakusa!

Ulf Otsuki gives the cameraman thumbs up. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

As the New Year approaches, I've been keeping pretty active, and today was no exception. I met up with Ulf Otsuki for lunch in Asakusa. As usual, it was a lot of fun to spend time with Ulf and his family.

The drive to Asakusa was rather beautiful, and I wish I could have taken some photos.It was a gorgeous day, marred only by the fact that it was freezing cold outside.

I'm excited for the New Year, and I hope it will be even more productive than this year. Happy New Year!

ULF IS IN THE HOUSE! A Day with a Godzilla Series Actor!

Actor Ulf Otsuki at his Tokyo home. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, November 13, I went to Ulf Otsuki's home, as I often do. He gave me a photo-paper copy of one of his baby photos, which he also signed for me. It was my first time to see this photo.

Ulf Otsuki with his signed baby picture. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After that, we watched the old musical Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) and then went out for an Indian food dinner. I can't wait to do it all over again!

THE ULF-MAN IS BACK! A Great Day with a Showa-Era Actor!

The great Ulf Otsuki gives a thumbs-up to the camera. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight, I spent another nice day at Ulf Otsuki's home. We watched the James Stewart movie The Glenn Miller Story (1954) before heading out for another delicious Indian food dinner.

A fun time was had by all. Many thanks, as always, to Ulf for all his hospitality!

WITH THE ULF-MAN! Visiting the Godzilla Seris Actor!

Ulf Otsuki at his favorite Indian restaurant. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I paid another visit to the home of actor Ulf Otsuki (Godzilla vs. Megalon, Zone Fighter). Ulf was in the mood to watch the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life (1946), and I have to admit it was my first time to see the film. I enjoyed it, despite the Christmas season still being a long way off!

After watching the movie, we went out for another delicious Indian supper. It's always cool to see Ulf, and with him around there's never a dull moment!

HANGING WITH THE ULF-MAN! Paying Another Visit to the East Side of Tokyo!

Actor Ulf Otsuki poses with his bonsai tree. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I spent another afternoon at Ulf Otsuki's home. We watched another MGM musical, Anchors Aweigh (1945), with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. It was my first time to see it, and it was very enjoyable.

After that, our group went to a nearby restaurant for steak and pasta. We enjoyed talking about current events on both sides of the Pacific. Ulf-san has battled Godzilla twice (in Godzilla vs. Megalon and episode 15 of Zone Fighter), but he's the coolest guy you'd ever want to meet. Many thanks again!

ANOTHER DINNER WITH ULF! A Day with MGM Musicals and Indian Curry!

Actor Ulf Otsuki at home in Tokyo. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I was privileged to pay another visit to actor Ulf Otsuki's home. While many fans are aware that Ulf did battle with Godzilla (so to speak) in Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), fewer fans know that Ulf also clashed with the Big G again the very same year.

Ulf guest-starred in episode 15 of Toho's superhero series Zone Fighter (1973) as a Men in Black-type villain (along with Johnny Yusuf) who schemes to wreak havoc on the city. This is one of the Zone Fighter episodes that features Godzilla.

Ulf and I watched the classic MGM musical The Band Wagon (1953) with Fred Astaire. I quite enjoyed it! After that, we headed out to our usual Indian restaurant for supper. A great way to finish the day!

A GREAT DAY! In the Company of a Prolific Actor!

I just returned from spending the day with actor Ulf Otsuki, a prolific actor who has appeared in tokusatsu productions in the movies and on TV. We started off the day watching the Western classic The Man Behind the Gun (1953) and then went out for dinner at our usual Indian restaurant. 

While there, a news channel ran an obituary for composer Isao Tomita (The Last Days of Planet Earth), who just passed away. I was surprised and saddened by the news.

A very special thanks to Ulf for making today something very special!

DINNER WITH ULF! An Evening Out with a Prolific Tokusatsu Actor!

Actor Ulf Otsuki at an Indian restaurant in Tokyo. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today was the last day of March, and given that the end of my birthday week is drawing near, I decided to visit actor Ulf Otsuki at his home as a way to end the festivities with a bang. We kicked things off by watching the MGM musical Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949), co-starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. After that, we went to a nearby Indian restaurant for curry and other spicy foods.

It was an enjoyable, relaxing evening, and it's always a treat to see Ulf. He loves watching old Hollywood musicals, and they're beginning to grow on me, too. I always try to discover new things.

Thanks very much, Ulf!