Toru Ohira, the Japanese Voice of George Reeves and Darth Vader

Today would have been the 97th birthday of voice actor Toru Ohira. 

From Dennis Hayes: 

On this date September 29, 1929 Tōru Ōhira (大平 透) was born in Tokyo, Japan.

Ōhira was a Japanese narrator and voice actor (seiyu) from the Tokyo Metropolitan area. He is a representative of Ōhira Production.

One of his most known roles is the dub voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars on the home video releases. He is also known for his many narration roles, most notably in the Super Sentai series.

He was a very influential figure in the dubbing industry during the Sousei period.

After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan University Jōnan Senior High School (in which he was also the supervisor of the school's volleyball team), he went on to graduate from the Meiji University Department of Political Science and Economics. In 1954, he joined the Nippon Broadcasting System, in which he became an announcer and producer. In 1955, with the opening of the Tokyo Broadcasting System, he enlisted in its theatrical company. He left the company in 1958 to become a voice artist.

His breakthrough performance was the dubbing voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars series. He reprised this role for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and a crossover appearance in Soulcalibur IV- notable because the game was originally in Japanese, meaning that Ōhira was Vader's "original" voice in the game, unlike with the films. In addition, he is usually cast in either astringent villain roles or gag characters.

The first dubbed television show in Japan was "Adventures of Superman", which began broadcasting in 1956 with Tōru Ōhira voicing George Reeves (Clark Kent/Superman). Television had made a strong impression on the Japanese from Emperor Hirohito down. About 99 percent of Japanese TV shows were American, including the Emperor's favorite, "Superman." Emperor Hirohito even sent George Reeves a fan letter.

Ōhira was also the voice of Marlon Brando (Jor-El) in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) when it was released in Japan.

He would have been 97 years old today.

Happy Birthday Tōru !

Amazon MGM Gains Creative Control of 007 Franchise

Above, my Daniel Craig autographed photo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This can't be good news.*

Even though Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have taken some heat in killing James Bond in No Time To Die, the announcement that they are giving Amazon MGM creative control over the franchise is being met by fans with shock and disapproval.

The main concern for fans of 007 is that Amazon MGM will run the franchise into the ground with poor quality movies as Disney did with the Star Wars franchise. The last Star Wars trilogy was shit.

Variety reported:

Amazon MGM Studios is set to take creative control of the James Bond franchise.

The shock announcement — which is sure to shake and, indeed, stir the industry — was made Thursday, alongside the news that long-time producers and custodians of 007, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, would be stepping back.

As per details of the historic agreement, Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The three parties will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise but Amazon MGM will have creative control.

I have been a 007 fan ever since my parents to me to see a double-bill of Dr. No and From Russia With Love in 1963. 

To read more, go here.

*I hope I'm proven wrong.

"Star Wars": The LP

Speaking of Star Wars (1977) (referencing the last post), I have the Star Wars soundtrack LP vinyl.

It is the original pressing as I bought it within days of seeing the movie in 1977.

Naturally, I still have it in my record collection. 

"Star Wars" 47 Years Ago

Above, Star Wars during its initial run at the AVCO Center Theaters in Westwood. AP photo.

It is hard to believe that Star Wars (later Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope) on Memorial Day weekend 47 years ago, in 1977. I was at the ripe "old age" of 23.

I saw it at the AVCO Center Theaters in Westwood twice during its initial run. One of the times was with a date. She was in ecstasy during the movie, she loved it that much.

Since Lucasfilm (along with the Star Wars franchise) has been acquired by Disney, I have no desire to see the movies they've churned out. I have the first two trilogies in my collection.

The theaters are still there, but they are no longer the AVCO Center Theaters.