Classic Monsters Exhibits #3

Since Halloween is only three days away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took. More to come in the days ahead.

Above, the Wolf Man from Monsterpalooza 2011. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, GMK Godzilla filming suit at HMV in Shibuya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, GMK Baragon filming suit at HMV Shibuya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Kong atop Empire State Building at Art of King Kong exhibit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Shibuya HMV Just A Memory

Then...
Above, this view of Shibuya Crossing from April 2006 shows the HMV sign prominently displayed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.


Now...
Above, the HMV sign is gone in this photo of Shibuya Crossing taken in December 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Upon my return from Japan three weeks ago, I posted about some changes I noticed while in Tokyo.

One change I forgot to mention was that the HMV store in Shibuya is gone! According to GaijinPot.com, the store closed its doors last August, citing declining CD sales as more people opt to download music instead of buying CDs. (See HMV Shibuya Closes).


I first stepped foot in the Shibuya HMV store in November 2001 to see and photograph
the Godzilla (left) and Baragon filming suits that were on display from Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (GMK).


Later, in 2006, HMV Shibuya played host to displays of items from Gamera The Brave that were placed throughout the store.

GaijinPot.com summarized it perfectly:

...so for now all we are left with are the memories.

"GMK" Filming Suits At HMV In Shibuya

Above, the HMV record and video store's sign can be clearly seen from Shibuya Crossing.

Back in November 2001, I made my first trip to Japan for the premiere of director Shusuke Kaneko's Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-out Attack at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

At the same time, the HMV record and video store in the Shibuya section of Tokyo displayed the filming suits of Godzilla and Baragon that were used in the movie.

The HMV store is an interesting place to go shopping for DVDs, books and CDs. It occupies several floors. The display of the suits was located on one of them.

Fellow G-fan Richard Pusateri and I went to see the exhibit and here are some of my photos of the display (click on image to view larger):

Above, one of the "GMK" Godzilla suits on display at the Shibuya HMV store (two were used in the movie).

Above, a side view of the "GMK" Godzilla filming suit.

Above, Baragon filming suit.

Above, Baragon looks as if it's about to pounce on Godzilla's leg.