Happy (Belated) Birthday, Haruo Nakajima!

Above, yours truly with Haruo Nakajima in 2013 at the Mad Monster Party. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Yesterday, the great, first Godzilla suit-actor, Haruo Nakajima turned 88.

For the past several years, I had been gathering fans' birthday greetings through this blog and forwarding them to his daughter Sonoe to present to her dad.

For the past two years, the number of greetings greatly dwindled. Rather than make the Nakajimas think that hardly anyone wants to wish him Happy Birthday, I decided to not do it this year.

I don't mind gathering the birthday greetings from the fans, so if there is "popular demand" again, I could start it up again later this year. I don't think Haruo Nakajima has lost anyone's esteem, most likely life just got in the way of fans.

What do you think? 

Some More Mad Monster Party Photos

Some photos surfaced that were taken at last month's Mad Monster Party that was held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

They are courtesy of fellow "Team Nakajima" member Jeff Blanken:

Above and below, Haruo Nakajima discussing his career as a stuntman.

Above, a "Team Nakajima" group shot near the end of the convention.

Haruo Nakajima At Mad Monster Party

Our "stiff" volunteer Jeff Blanken sent these shots from Mad Monster Party:

Above, Haruo Nakajima takes the wheel of the time machine DeLorean with translator Yoko Connelly (left)
and Sonoe Nakajima (right) at the "Back To The Future" display.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, Haruo Nakajima meets Godzilla.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, the Nakajima panel session.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

The Nakajima Panel Pics

Well, I finally made it home from the Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, North Carolina this evening.

The Flyaway bus ride from the airport to the San Fernando Valley was more tiring than the flights as we were in rush-hour traffic.  I'm glad I wasn't driving.

Thanks to our volunteer "stiff" Jeff Blanken, more photos of the panel session with Haruo Nakajima are available for viewing:

Above, Haruo Nakajima discusses his career as a suit actor with Yoko
Connolly translating with assistance from Sonoe Nakajima.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, Haruo Nakajima regales the audience with stories of his career.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, the Mothra portion of the discussion.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, following the panel discussion, Haruo Nakajima and I pose for audience photos.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

For some more photos by Jeff Blanken, go here.

Mad Monster Party Day Three: A Plus For "Team Nakajima"

Above, Haruo Nakajima with actress Lea Thompson.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mad Monster Party 2013 is now history.  I had a lot of fun and I met a lot of great people.

First, I have to commend Eben McGarr and Joe Moe for putting on a great show.  I think they exceeded their attendance expectations by a few thousand.

Above, the Nakajima panel.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Next, I have to thank the members of "Team Nakajima" (translator Yoko Connelly and our volunteer stiff (staff) Jeff Blanken)  for their help in making everything involving the Nakajimas go smoothly.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with a fan-made Godzilla suit.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As this was the second convention, there were a few bugs that need to be ironed out.  But, learning from experience will greatly aid in making next year's convention even better.

The day began at about one o'clock in the morning with the sound of police vehicle units pulling up to the Blake Hotel or driving nearby.  It was a bit hard to sleep with all the noise from the police sirens.  I found out  this morning that seven units of the Charlotte Police Department responded to a call involving two nude girls at the convention at that time.  I'd bet the police fought over who was going to respond.

Above, Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima going over their flight schedule for tomorrow in the R.I.P. room.
  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After breakfast, I met with the Nakajimas and went over the questions for the panel discussion.  Following this, we migrated over to the ballroom for the session.  I received many words of praise for the session which included slides (when the projector decided to work properly) and roars and music from Godzilla (1954) while people were entering the ballroom.

After the panel, we migrated over to our tables.  The line was already long of autograph seekers when we go to the tables.  I sold more copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan today than I did with Friday and Saturday put together (which weren't bad either).  Thanks to everyone!

Above, Haruo Nakajima and yours truly.

The Nakajimas did VERY well with their sales of autographs photos with fans.  It will probably hit them when they convert the dollars into yen when they return home to Japan.  I am very happy for them.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with our volunteer helper Jeff Blanken.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just before the convention ended, we had a photo session for group shots of everyone who comprised "Team Nakajima."

Above, Haruo Nakajima with translator Yoko Connolly.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the convention was over, we went over to the V.I.P. room (known as the R.I.P. room) to review everything and to make plans for other future activities.  While there, actress Lea Thompson stopped by to be introduced to Haruo Nakajima.

Above, "Team Nakajima" at Mad Monster Party.  

After we said our goodbyes, I took Jeff out to dinner at the Hickory Tavern.  We relaxed over dinner and beer.

The trip to Charlotte, North Carolina was worth it and I enjoyed what I did manage to see of the city.  Would I return to a future Mad Monster Party?  The answer is a definite yes!