Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men still available

The first biography of Ishiro Honda, Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda, is still available through AuthorHouse. If you haven't yet picked up your copy, here's where you can remedy your problem.

I was only too happy to support Peter's project. I first met Peter in 2003 outside the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. I introduced him to several Godzilla fans in the L.A. area, some of whom turned out to be more fanatics than fans! Despite that, I've always enjoyed my friendship with Peter.

Here's to you, Peter!

Let loose the dogs of preliminary G-FEST schedules!

A preliminary schedule of events for G-FEST has been posted on G-FAN.com. It is preliminary, so things may change before July. But you'll find more or less everything that will be on tap for the convention.

Enjoy!

Happy birthday, Kenji Sahara!

Kenji Sahara poses with Martin Arlt and Brett inside the Hancock Building during G-FEST 2009. Photo by totorom.

Thanks to this blog post at Monsterland Ohio, I was reminded that today, May 14, is Mr. Kenji Sahara's birthday! The famed Toho actor, who was born in 1932, turns 78 today. Mr. Sahara immensely enjoyed his stay in Chicago, which I can tell you first-hand, as totorom and I accompanied Mr. Sahara throughout his time in the Windy City.

Several months after G-FEST, Mr. Sahara contributed to G-FAN's 35th anniversary tribute to Terror of Mechagodzilla in issue #90.

Happy birthday, Mr. Sahara! I hope to see you in Chicago again very soon!

G-FEST XVII: Here's what to look for

Akira Takarada is ready for his first North American convention appearance at G-FEST XVII. Photo by totorom.

Godzilla fans have less than two months to wait until G-FEST XVII stomps its way into the Rosemont Hotel in Rosemont, IL, for a weekend of monsters and mayhem. From July 9 to 11, G-fans of all ages will converge on a brand-new location for G-FEST, as we all celebrate our favorite hobby.

The convention's guest of honor is Akira Takarada, the biggest star to attend any North American gathering of Godzilla fans. Mr. Takarada's first convention appearance in the United States was arranged primarily by totorom, who certainly embodies the true spirit of what it means to be a G-fan. Mr. Takarada, the star of such Toho classics as Godzilla (1954), Godzilla vs. the Thing (1964), Monster Zero (1965), Half Human (1955), The Last War (1961), King Kong Escapes (1967), and Latitude Zero (1969), is excited to appear at G-FEST and eager to share his memories of working with his famous co-star, The Big G. Mr. Takarada will receive the Mangled Skyscraper Award for his contributions to the genre.

Also in attendance will be Robert Scott Field, who starred as Android M11 in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), and also acted in episode #6 of Ultraman Neos (2000-01) and Red Shadow (2001). Scott will be translating for Mr. Takarada throughout the convention. A 20-year resident of Japan, Godzilla fans have no greater resource on traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun than Scott.

William Tsutsui, the author of Godzilla on My Mind and co-editor of In Godzilla's Footsteps, will host a presentation for the first time at G-FEST. The Japan Society is sponsoring Dr. Tsutsui's appearance.

David Kalat, author of A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series and J-Horror, returns to G-FEST for the second year in a row and will host a session entitled "Godzilla without Monsters: The Rising of the Sinking of Japan."

Damon Foster, editor of Oriental Cinema magazine since 1978, makes his triumphant return to G-FEST this July. Among other activities, Damon plans to host a presentation entitled "Beyond the Borders of Reality," which is guaranteed to live up to its name!

G-FEST once again will host a "double double feature" on Thursday, July 8, at the Pickwick Theater. The lineup includes:

- Son of Godzilla (1967) at 1:30

- Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) at 3:00

- Godzilla 2000 (1999) at 7:00

- Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000) at 8:30

Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966) screens on Friday, July 9, at 10:30, and Godzilla (1954), which will be introduced by its star Akira Takarada, will play on Saturday, July 10, at 10:30.

But that's not all! Other surprises are in the works, but you'll have to show up to find out what they are!

G-FEST XVII is on track to become the biggest one yet. According to J.D., pre-registrations in April were already at the level they were in June last year. While this may be due to many factors, such as the new location, improved advertising and promotion, or the return of the "double double feature," Mr. Takarada's first-ever appearance in the U.S. is most assuredly the reason for the bump. What Godzilla fan wouldn't be excited to meet the series' biggest star?

See you (and about 1,500 others) this July!

For more information, visit G-FAN.com.

Robert Scott Field returns to G-FEST

Robert Scott Field and Brett pose for a picture at G-FEST 2007.

The actor who portrayed Android M11 in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) returns to G-FEST this summer. Field, who has attended every G-FEST since 1999, will help translate for the convention's guest of honor, Mr. Akira Takarada.

G-FEST takes place from July 9 to 11 in Rosemont, IL. For more information, visit G-FAN.com.

G-FAN back issues for sale

Fellow Godzilla fan Ron Burton is currently selling several back issues of G-FAN magazine, most of which are now sold out and unavailable through Daikaiju Enterprises. He's selling them for $8 a piece (including shipping), so if you're interested in purchasing any back issues, write to Ron at torahata [at] yahoo.com and find out what he's got.

Ron also tells me he's selling a copy of Stuart Galbraith's "green book." Ask Ron for details.

Destroy All Planets special edition on its way!

Retromedia's special edition release of Destroy All Planets is due to come out soon. Image property of Retromedia Entertainment, Inc.

Fred Olen Ray's Retromedia is set to release a special edition DVD of Destroy All Planets (a.k.a. Gamera vs. Viras) that has literally been years in the making.

"We've transferred an original 16mm AIP-TV print and color corrected it two times to produce the best version of this film available," commented Fred.

"But the real reason to catch this Special Edition is the commentary track by American star, Carl Craig... his recollections of the film making process is fascinating. Hosted by Brett Homenick and Damon Foster, recorded in Chicago by our own Randy Carter," added Fred.

No release date has been set, but once it is announced, you'll read it here.