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.

Japan Times' "Godzilla, the monster with multiple personalities"

Above, a GMK Godzilla filming suit on display at the Shibuya HMV store in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over at The Japan Times, there is a special article on Godzilla. Actually, it is more like a Valentine to the 1954 original by Mark Schilling.

Along with it, is a 45-minute video collection of Godzilla trailers to enjoy.

Why do I say the article is a Valentine to the 1954 Godzilla?

Here's a snippet to give you an idea:

Since 1954, the”King of the Monsters” has appeared in 28 Toho films (and two big-budget Hollywood films, including Gareth Edwards’ new one, which opens in Tokyo on July 25), but has the old thrill gone? 

Though crude by today’s CGI standards, the original Godzilla has retained his primitive power — he represents powerful forces, from the natural to the manmade, that humans struggle to control or understand.

In the 1954 film, the only effective weapon against Godzilla is the Oxygen Destroyer — itself so fearsome (it transforms living creatures into lifeless skeletons in seconds) that Dr. Serizawa, its conflicted creator, finally burns his research papers and ends his own life. He tries to put the dangerous genie back into the bottle, something the inventors and users of the atomic bomb knew was impossible.

Above, one of the Oxygen Destroyer props. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 To read the full article, go here.

Godzilla Suits & Props

Above, a "GMK" Godzilla filming suit on display at the Shibuya
HMV store in November 2001.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I managed to see a lot of movie history in the U.S. and in Japan.

In November 2001, I made my first visit to Japan and was treated to a V.I.P. look at Toho Studios.  I was lucky to be able to see the studio as it pretty much was when Ishiro Honda, Eiji Tsuburaya and Tomoyuki Tanaka were in their heyday.

After Godzilla Final Wars (2004), the studio lot underwent a major change.  Several of the old sound stages were torn down (including Stages 1 and 2, where much of Godzilla's battles were shot) as well as the giant pool and other buildings.  New sound stages were built as well as a new front entrance to the studio.  While it is understandable that a studio would want to modernize to keep up-to-date with modern movie-making, it is sad to see historic structures go the way of the wrecking ball. The historical value of a studio visit is lost when those old structures were demolished. I'm glad I got to see them before the ball swung.

I was perusing my photo collection and thought that I should post some of Godzilla suits and props that I have seen. Enjoy!

Above, the green-hued Godzilla filming suit from
"Godzilla x Megaguirus." Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

Above, Armand and Richard Pusateri with a "GMK" Godzilla  prop.
The Mothra prop sits nearby on a shelf.  Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

Above, one of the "GMK" Godzilla filming suits on display at the
Shibuya HMV store in November 2001.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Baragon filming suit getting ready to pounce on the "GMK"
Godzilla filming suit at the Shibuya HMV store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a "GMK" Godzilla event suit entertains the crowd at the
2001 Tokyo International Film Festival.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a close-up of a Godzilla prop used in "Godzilla x Megaguirus"
at the Bandai Museum in 2005.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the press gets blasted by "atomic breath" sprayed from a "Godzilla
Final Wars" event suit in Hollywood in 2004.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Richard Pusateri surveys the giant pool at
Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day is called the "unofficial end of summer."  School will be starting soon (if it hasn't already in some areas).

Rather than post some Labor Day-related photos with this, here's some Godzilla photos instead:

Above, Koriyama Museum in 2004.

Above, the Gira-Goji suit at Toho Studios, 2001.  Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

Above, Gira-Goji prop at Bandai Museum, 2005.

Above, GMK Godzilla suit at Shibuya HMV store, 2001.

Above, GMK Godzilla event suit at 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival.

Above, (left to right) Shogo Tomiyama, Armand, Richard Pusateri and Koichi Kawakita at Toho Studios, 2001.  Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

Some Godzilla Collectibles

Above, a "Godzilla Final Wars" Gigan chess piece.

Having a hobby like Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies, one tends to accumulate collectible items.

Over the years, items collected include autographed photos, toys, statues, posters and other odds & ends.

Here are a few items I have (which don't even scratch the surface):

Above, an autographed copy of Haruo Nakajima's autobiography.

Left, a Bandai Titanosaurus toy.










Right, a Godzilla figure from "Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S." with a Godzilla claw premium from the HMV music and video store at Aqua City in Tokyo. The claw came as a bonus with the "Tokyo S.O.S." DVD.

Above, a porcelain Godzilla figure. It was the first item I ever bid and won on eBay.

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.