One of the most prolific of all Toho's science fiction actors, Kenji Sahara (born Tadashi Ishihara) first appeared in kaiju eiga (monster films) as an extra in Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1954). In 1956, he essayed the lead in Toho's first color sci-fi film, Rodan, and has since portrayed a wide variety of screen heroes and villains. He appeared in 12 of the 22 Godzilla series films including King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Godzilla vs. Mothra (1964), Son of Godzilla (1967), Terror of MechaGodzilla (1975) and Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994). Mr. Sahara's other special effects film credits include The Mysterians (1957), The H-Man (1958), Gorath (1962), Matango (a.k.a. Attack of the Mushroom People, 1963), The War of the

Conducted by David Milner Translation by Yohihiko Shibata Akira Ifukube, one of Japan's most highly regarded classical composers, passed away in February 2006 at the age of 91. He scored GODZILLA - KING OF THE MONSTERS (1954), TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975), GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1992), and many other science fiction films. He also scored numerous dramas and period movies. In the early 1990s Kaiju historian David Milner sat down with the maestro for two conversations. Here for the first time are the complete interviews presented in a single format. Conducted in December of 1992 David Milner: I was very sorry to hear about the recent death of Shinichi Sekizawa. How well did you know him? (Mr. Sekizawa wrote the screenplays

Part One: The Hanna-Barbera Cartoon “Up from the depths, 30 stories high, breathing fire, his head in the clouds. Godzilla, Godzilla, Godzilla….and Godzooky!” These were the infamous words that greeted Godzilla fans every Saturday morning from 1978 until 1981. Hanna-Barbera Studios’ Godzilla cartoon was an interesting take on the King of the Monsters, and is a chapter in Godzilla’s history most serious fans would like to forget. The series premiered on September 8th, 1978 on the NBC television network. Producers William Hanna and Joseph Barbera wanted to cash in on the popularity of the then current movies series (Godzilla vs. Megalon had been released in 1976 and Terror of MechaGodzilla received a March 1977), and contacted Henry Saperstein’s UPA Productions

Originally published in Japanese Fantasy Film Journal Issue #12 - 1979 Daiei's career has not been an uneventful one. Nor has its former president, Masaichi Nagata, been idle in affecting the studio's uneven course. In this issue we present our look at the Daiei film factory beginning with Nagata's earliest dealings prior to the studio's formation up to the company's revival in 1974 following Daiei's 1971 bankruptcy closing. In 1933 Nikkatusu, in a move to enlarge its facilities, shopped several Tokyo studio sites, finally purchasing Tamagawa, an independent recently failed, building additional sound stages at the site as well. This activity worried Shochiku who decided that a second subsidiary, in addition to its recently organized Shinko, would be formed to

The MacDonald Papers - MacDonald Scrapbook Transcription: Letter 1 - Ralph Waldo Emerson to Francis MacDonald · April 21st, 1848 London, 21 April 1848 Dear Sir, You must forgive my seeming negligence in attending to your request. No day was fixed And in London my time has been overfilled with every day's demands. I was glad, (Back of Letter) in that circumstances, to learn from Mr Sanderson that you were preparing to embark. I enclose a couple of notes of introduction to two excellent young men, men of business of large acquaintance in Boston whom I am sure you will be glad to know. On my return, (Last page of Letter) which will be I think in the month of

Yuko Moriyama starred in the 1991 film, Zeiram, as the intergalactic bounty hunter, Iria--a character that set a standard by which all Japanese sci-fi heroes would come to be measured. In 1994, she reprised this role in Zeiram 2, effectively bringing the character that she helped to make famous to a new level. Since then, the character of Iria has gained a strong fan following in America, even though only the first Zeiram film has been released on video. Ms. Moriyama made her first US convention appearance in October 1996 at the Chiller Theater Expo in New Jersey. The fan turnout at both this event and her subsequent appearance at the San Diego Comicon in 1997 was overwhelming, attesting to

Kenpachiro Satsuma began his career as a suitmation actor playing opposite Haruo Nakajima in Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster. He has played the King of the Monsters in seven films beginning with Godzilla 1985 until Godzilla’s death in Godzilla vs. Destroyah. Along with Mr. Nakajima he was the first Japanese special guest to grace American shores during G-CON’96, and has returned three other times to attend Japanese Sci-Fi conventions including G-CONs 97 & 98. Kaiju-Fan caught up with him in Tokyo soon after his appearance at the 1999 Chiller show. John Roberto: How did you first get the roll of Godzilla? Kenpachiro Satsuma: I had worked under Mr. Nakano in Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. Megalon

A Study into the Effects of the Atomic Bomb on Japanese Pop Culture From Desperation to Inspiration During the flight back to Tokyo Tomoyuki Tanaka sat in his seat a worried man. Ordinary looking, having inherited the short stocky build characteristic of many Japanese men, he had just celebrated the passing of his forty-fourth birthday, and was about to celebrate his tenth year as a producer at the Toho Motion Picture Company. Until now he had done quite well for the studio, having produce a number of hits. But this time things had not gone so well. “On the plane ride back to Tokyo, I was desperate,” Tanaka recalled.“ I was sweating the whole time.” The year was 1954, and