The Last G-FAN Arrives

Above, G-FAN #150.

Earlier today, J. D. Lees and I had a small exchange over one of our favorite non-kaiju topics, Ronald Reagan. I sent him the blog post of the photo of Reagan hosting Death Valley Days. This was before he ran for California governor.

A little while ago, I made my eight-mile trek to the post office at Continental Divide to pick up my mail. Included in my mailbox was the last issue of G-FAN (number 150), the Godzilla/kaiju fan magazine J. D. published since the 1990s. Funny how things work out. Here we were discussing another favorite topic and, lo and behold, the last G-FAN arrives.

While it is sad that an end of an era is here, at least now that J. D. has retired from teaching and now G-FAN, he can enjoy more of life's pleasures. He (and wife Ruth) have an open invitation to come down to visit New Mexico and the Four Corners region. I think they would enjoy seeing Durango, Colorado and Monument Valley (which, by the way, made it into 2004's Godzilla Final Wars) and sample New Mexico cuisine.

G-FAN #150 is a thick issue with 130 pages (or, if one is counting the inside front and back covers, 132 pages) and is loaded with lots of good stuff for leisurely summertime reading. My last G-FAN write-up is on page 59. J. D. included a photo of Kenji Sahara and me from 2009. It has been a while since I've seen that picture and noticed that I was heavier back then. I'm now in the 150s. 

Anyway, as others have posted online (mainly at Facebook), while it is sad to see the end of G-FAN, but at least we can dig the issues out on occasion for re-reading pleasure. 

Kenji Sahara Turns 93

Above, Kenji Sahara as he appeared in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Toho Co., Ltd. photo.

Did you know that Toho actor Kenji Sahara turned 93 four days ago?

It slipped my mind that his birthday took place on May 14. 

According to Wikipedia:

Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二 Sahara Kenji) (born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. His birth name is Masayoshi Kato (加藤 正好 Katō Masayoshi). Initially he used the name Tadashi Ishihara before changing it when he secured the lead role in Rodan (1956). 

Above, Kenji Sahara and Armand at G-FEST XVI in 2009. Photo by Stan Hyde.

It is nice that a classic actor from Toho's Showa era is still with us. Happy Birthday, Kenji Sahara!

60 Years of "King Kong vs. Godzilla"

Above, Universal's cheesy U.S. poster.

Sixty years ago yesterday, Toho's King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) was released in the U.S. by Universal Pictures on June 26, 1963.

It was a heavily-edited version that really did an injustice to the original Japanese version. But, at least it was released theatrically around the country. It was the first Godzilla movie I saw on the big screen. 

Above, looking south on Vermont Avenue, the Balboa Theater can be seen center left, early 1950s.

During its run, my parents took two friends and I to go see it at the Balboa Theater in Manchester/Vermont section of Los Angeles (the shopping area there got hit hard two years later during the Watts Riots of August 1965). It was the second feature to the John Ford/John Wayne comedy, Donovan's Reef. We sat up in the balcony.

After closing down, the Balboa Theater was used as a mosque. Currently, it is being used as a production studio. 

Above, the Balboa Theater in the 1970s.

For us, it was a night of brawls. First, between John Wayne and Lee Marvin and then between King Kong and Godzilla.

Here's the Universal teaser trailer:

Back then, it was inconceivable to me that I would eventually interview actress Akiko Wakabayashi, know THE Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima and meet actor Kenji Sahara, all stars of King Kong vs. Godzilla.

Kenji Sahara Turns 91 Today

Above, Kenji Sahara and yours truly at G-FEST in 2009.

One of the few remaining actors of Toho's Godzilla Showa era is celebrating his 91st birthday today.

From Wikipedia:

Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二 Sahara Kenji) (born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. His birth name is Masayoshi Kato (加藤 正好 Katō Masayoshi). Initially he used the name Tadashi Ishihara before changing it when he secured the lead role in Rodan (1956).

Sahara did a lot of work for the Toho Company, the studio that so far has produced 28 Godzilla movies. He appeared in more of the Godzilla series than any other actor.

Also, he is the actor who was often relied on in most of the films by Directors Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya.

He has appeared in many supporting roles.

Sahara is famous as a mainstay of Toho special-effects movies and the Ultraman series.

I can see why he was relied upon to perform in so many Toho productions. He was effective as an engineer with temporary amnesia in Rodan; a nerdy inventor in Monster Zero; a crooked businessman in Mothra vs. Godzilla; and as another inventor in King Kong vs. Godzilla. He appeared as a scientist in Godzilla Final Wars (2004).

A big Happy Birthday to Kenji Sahara!

Rodan's 60th Anniversary

Above, Rodan attacks Fukuoka. Toho Co,, Ltd.

Ever been in one of those moods where you didn't want to do anything in particular, but were bored stiff anyway? That happened to me this afternoon.

I mentioned this on Facebook and Neil Riebe made this suggestion in reply:

It's Rodan's 60th anniversary. Pop it into the DVD player and give it a watch.

I hadn't thought today being the 60th anniversary of Rodan. I checked and Neil was right. Rodan was released on December 26, 1956 in Japan by Toho.

Above, the Saikai Bridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I visited some Rodan locations in Kyushu in 2007. One was the Saikai Bridge near Sasebo City and another was the area in Fukuoka near Fukuoka Station.

Above, Rodan star Kenji Sahara and Armand in 2009 at G-FEST.

So, I took him up on his suggestion and popped it into my Blu-ray player. It has been a while since I last watched it.

Great idea, Neil! Thanks for the suggestion! 

Remembering Tom Dougherty

Above, Christmas Day 2010 in Ginza with (from left) Kenji Sahara, Hiroshi Koizumi
Diane Dougherty, Tom Dougherty and Akira Takarada. Photo courtesy of Clawmark Toys.

In any fandom, there are the good guys and there are the not-so-good guys (for various reasons). In the case of Tom Dougherty of Clawmark Toys, he was definitely one of the good guys.

I learned this evening from Loren Portillo's posting at Facebook that Tom passed away.

About two or three years ago, I contacted Tom about sponsoring a Godzilla celebrity for an appearance at an upcoming Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles. Tom replied that he was unable to do anything at the time. He said he was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

This came as a big shock as Tom was one of the most enthusiastic and active Godzilla and kaiju toy dealers around. Not long before, Tom sent me several photos of an event held in Ginza by the Godzilla Fan Club that he and Diane attended to post on this blog that featured Godzilla actors Kenji Sahara, Hiroshi Koizumi and Akira Takarada. Tom looked like his usual enthusiastic self in one of the photos (it is posted above).

With the news that Tom gave me, I knew then that it was a matter of time when the neuro-degenerative disease would eventually claim his life. So when Loren Portillo posted the news on Tom's passing, I was not too surprised. But it was tough news nonetheless.

He and his wife Diane lived in Japan (off and on) and he would regale us at G-FEST with stories of their roadtrips around Japan in their search for toys to sell though their Clawmark Toys business.

I probably first met Tom at a G-FEST convention around 1999 or 2000. We had a great time in Japan in 2001 when Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Following the movie, several of us (we must have had a group of 30), including Tom and Diane, then headed to Nakano for a dinner party at a Chinese restaurant at the Broadway Mall. The dinner party included Kenpachiro Satsuma (the Heisei Godzilla), among others. It was a night that I, for one, have never forgotten.

Tom's Clawmark Toys was one of the best dealers in Godzilla/kaiju toys and other collectibles. He was fair in his pricing and one can always rely on fast delivery from Clawmark.

His presence at fan events will be greatly missed. A big void has been left behind by his passing.

My condolences go out to his wife Diane and the Dougherty family.

The Weekend

Above, Peter H. Brothers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I mentioned several days ago, it was an "iffy" situation on whether or not I would be able to attend this year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank. As I said then, it all depended on the status of Jes's condition in the hospital. I felt it best that I stay pretty close to home in case I was needed.

I always figured that if I was going to go to Monsterpalooza, it would be on Sunday. It turned out that Jes was discharged from the hospital yesterday, so I ended up not going to Monsterpalooza.

Well, there's always next year and, before that, the Son of Monsterpalooza in the fall. It would have been nice to see Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima and Kenji Sahara again. But it wasn't in the cards.

The weekend wasn't a total loss. For the first time in about two years, Pete Brothers (Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda, Devil Bat Diaries) and I got together for lunch on Saturday at Crazy Tokyo Sushi in Tarzana. It was an enjoyable lunch as we caught up on things that have transpired since out last get-together. The restaurant is close to home, so I was able to break away.

We both marveled that this year marks ten years since the first G-Tour to Japan in 2004.

But, I am happy that Jes is home and we may have some good news. Hopefully, we will know more tomorrow.

Monsterpalooza Opens Tomorrow In Burbank

Monsterpalooza is opening tomorrow and it features not one, but two, stars of Toho's Godzilla series: Kenji Sahara and Haruo Nakajima.

Above, Kenji Sahara and Armand in 2009.

It will be held at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, just across the street from the Bob Hope Airport, March 28-30.

Monsterpalooza is one great show that all fans of horror and science-fiction would enjoy.

Above, Armand with Haruo Nakajima in 2013. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Right now, my attendance at Monsterpalooza is a bit "iffy" as my roomie, Jes, had to be re-admitted yesterday to the hospital. She was released last Friday. We are still battling Medi-Cal to get her on the liver transplant list. We have requested a hearing on her case. As I don't know what her status will be over the next several days, I cannot say for certain if I will be able to attend Monsterpalooza this weekend.

For more information on Monsterpalooza, go to their official website here.

Kenji Sahara At Monsterpalooza

Above, Kenji Sahara and Armand in 2009.

It has been announced this week that actor Kenji Sahara will be a guest at the 2014 Monsterpalooza in Burbank. The show runs March 28-30.

Monsterpalooza will be held this year (again) at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, just across the street from Bob Hope Airport.

Sahara has appeared in many Japanese science-fiction movies, most notably in Rodan (1956), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) and most recently in Godzilla Final Wars (2004).

If you haven't met Mr. Sahara, you should head out to Monsterpalooza to meet him. If the materials his handler Jim Cirronella had on hand at Son of Monsterpalooza for Akira Takarada are any indication, there should be some nice items (photos and posters) available for purchase and to have Mr. Sahara sign.

For details on Monsterpalooza, go here.

"Calamity Star Gorath" (1962)

Above, the DVD box art.

A rogue star 3/4 the size of Earth but with a mass 6000 times that of Earth has entered our solar system and is on a collision course with Earth. Mankind bands together to devise a way to prevent the catastrophic collision.

The star was named Gorath and that is also the name of the movie, Gorath (or Calamity Star Gorath). It was produced in 1962 by Toho Co., Ltd. and features a who's who of Toho actors, including Akira Kubo, Kenji Sahara, Kumi Mizuno, Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata and Ryo Ikebe. It was directed by Ishiro Honda.

Above, actor Kenji Sahara and Armand.

It has been ages since I've seen Gorath. I recently purchased the DVD and finally sat down to watch it. The special effects were top-notch by 1962 standards (by Eiji Tsuburaya). The movie proved once again (at least to my eyes) that watching scenes of destruction with the use of miniatures is a lot more fun than with computer-generated imaging.

Gorath was an enjoyable sci-fi/disaster movie and my grade is A.

Happy Birthday, Kenji Sahara!

Above, Kenji Sahara and Armand in 2009.

Today, actor Kenji Sahara celebrates his 81st birthday.

He was born May 14, 1932 in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa.  He has appeared in numerous Japanese monster movies including (Source: Wikipedia):

• Godzilla (1954) - Young Lover On The Sound
• Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956) - Man on Boat
• Rodan (1956) - Shigeru Kawamura (credited as Kenji Sawara)
• Mothra (1961)
• Gorath (1962)
• King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
• Attack of the Mushroom People (1963)
• Atragon (1963)
• Godzilla vs. Mothra (1964)
• Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
• Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965)
• War of the Gargantuas (1966)
• Son of Godzilla (1967)
• Destroy All Monsters (1968)
• Godzilla's Revenge (1969)
• Space Amoeba (1970)

...and many more.  His last Godzilla movie was 2004's Godzilla Final Wars.

Star-Powered Event In Ginza

Above, past Toho Godzilla stars join Tom and Diane Dougherty at the Godzilla Fan Club's event in Ginza. Left to right: Kenji Sahara, Hiroshi Koizumi, Diane, Tom and Akira Takarada. Photo courtesy of Clawmark Toys.

The Santa & Mrs. Claus of Japan, Tom & Diane Dougherty, attended a Godzilla Fan Club event on Christmas Day that was held in Ginza, Tokyo. The event was held in a building across Ginza Crossing from the Wako Department Store.

Says Tom Dougherty:

We were lucky enough to get invited to a Godzilla Fan Club function on Christmas day. Check out our site for the full story and all the photos.

Lots of Godzilla star power. The event was held right across from the Wako Dept. Store (how fitting). I am attaching a couple of photos you might enjoy. Anyway check our site under "Monster Happenings In Tokyo."

Above, with Godzilla in the foreground, the Wako Department Store clock tower can be seen from the party room's window. Photo courtesy of Clawmark Toys.

G-FEST Movie Screenings and Complainers

It gets tiresome to have to explain to people multiple times that when we screen movies via DVDs at G-FEST it is only because prints just aren't available.

We have lists of available films in 35mm prints.

This issue cropped up again at a Godzilla message board. One poster posted that he didn't want to drive a long way to see movies projected from a DVD. Well, we don't really want to resort to them either. This year, we had to screen some movies via DVD because 35mm prints featuring our special guest, Kenji Sahara, weren't available. I had to arrange special permission from Toho to screen them via DVD as, per Toho's policy, they don't allow screenings of their movies from DVDs. They agreed to allow it as Mr. Sahara was the guest.

Also, some of the decisions were made at the last minute as we "scoured the earth" for any available prints, including some from collectors right up to the last minute. So we were unable to immediately post whether they are prints or DVDs as we didn't know either.

This was explained several times, yet it doesn't seem to penetrate some folk's thick skulls! Yeesh!

Sometimes we just have no choice in the matter. If anyone doesn't want to attend a screening if it is by DVD projection, that's within their right to do so. But they have to understand that to have screenings with the special guest showcased, we have to go with what's available to us.

It is also interesting to note that those who gripe the most never come up with any ideas themselves.

Economy Affecting G-FAN Contributor

Above, Yutaka Ichimura with actor Kenji Sahara at G-FEST XVI last July. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The worldwide recession is also affecting a valuable contributor to G-FAN magazine.

Yutaka Ichimura, a.k.a. totorom, told me that he expects to be recalled to Japan early next year due to economic conditions, so he is understandably directing his attention to his work.

Unfortunately, concentrating on his job is causing him to suspend his contributions to G-FAN for about six months. This will likely have longer-term effects as G-FAN is a quarterly magazine.

Mr. Ichimura ably served as actor Kenji Sahara's translator and guide during last summer's G-FEST XVI.

He has contributed the best interview articles that G-FAN has seen in years and his services will be sorely missed.

Let's hope his employment situation turns out good for him and we look forward to his speedy return to G-FAN.

Leave It To The Irrepressible Damon Foster

Leave it to the irrepressible Damon Foster to have a little fun with my photography.

He saw my photos of Kenji Sahara and decided to do some further modifications to one of them:



Maybe I should title it, "This Sounds Like A Job For Toho's Lawyers!" I think Sahara would be holding up an Asahi or Sapporo beer bottle instead.

Damon is one interesting fellow. He used to reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and is now in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He's also a filmmaker and we've had some hilarious times in his G-FEST suite dubbing over some old Asian cartoons. He's also the editor and publisher of Oriental Cinema, when he's in the mood to put one out.

Here's Damon with one of his pets:

Above, "Damon vs. Spiga."

When I first met Damon years ago, he reminded me of an old villain from the days of the run of the Legion of Super-Heroes in DC's Adventure Comics of the 1960s. Those comics featured the early writings of Jim Shooter and the magnificent artwork of Curt Swan (pencils) and George Klein (inks). The villain was Universo:

Above, I don't think Curt Swan had Damon Foster in mind as the model for Universo, Damon probably wasn't born yet.

Damon has several videos posted at YouTube, just type in Damon Foster in their search feature and it'll take you to them.

G-FEST Photo Changes By The Multi-Talented J. D. Lees

When I was working on the Mangled Skyscraper Award Quiz (go to the link on this page on the right) the other day, I noticed that a couple of my photos in the "G-FEST XVI Report" in G-FAN #89 seemed different.

So I compared them with the original photos and, lo and behold, they were changed.

I've always known that the editor-in-chief, J. D. Lees was talented, but it never occurred to me that he was also talented enough to improve photographs the way that he has.

Here is the original photo that I took of Kenji Sahara at G-FEST holding up his Mangled Skyscraper Award:



Here's the photo as it appeared in G-FAN #89:



The other photo that caught my attention was one that's a close-up of Sahara. But note that the hand on his shoulder is gone and Stan Hyde on the left of him is also gone.

Here's the original:



Here's the photo as it appeared in G-FAN #89:



The first changed photo looks good, but it was printed on regular paper. Had it been printed on glossy paper as is the second one was, it would have looked even better.

I was impressed with the changes. They were an improvement over the originals (it could not be avoided as several people were up at the dais with Kenji Sahara). With the changes, there are no distractions and the focus is more on Sahara.

I was impressed with J. D.'s improvements. (I don't have photoshop, so I have to rely upon the basic Windows Paint program to fix photos.) Damn, the man is good!

Haruo Nakajima At Toho Studios

Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

Haruo Nakajima At Toho Studios

The current issue of G-FAN (no. 88) contains a photo on page five of the original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima posing with his Mangled Skyscraper Award at Toho Studios with Executive Producer and President of Toho Pictures, Inc. Shogo Tomiyama. They are standing in front of the new Godzilla statue.

The award was presented to Mr. Nakajima at G-FEST XV last year.

In a letter of congratulations to Mr. Nakajima for being awarded the Mangled Skyscraper, Mr. Tomiyama invited him to stop by the studio for a photo with his award in front of the Godzilla statue.

This photo and one on page three (the contents page) of G-FAN were from Sonoe Nakajima. However, the photo on page three was reduced to fit in the contents page.

Above is the full photo from page three of G-FAN.

This year's Mangled Skyscraper Award was presented to Kenji Sahara at G-FEST XVI earlier this month.

Kenji Sahara At G-FEST XVI Video

Here is a YouTube video of actor Kenji Sahara at G-FEST XVI (nicely done, by the way):

Final G-FEST XVI Comments

G-FEST XVI is now in the history books.

I am writing this in the terminal at Lambert St. Louis International Airport in St. Louis (naturally), Missouri. I have a two-hour layover here before I head back to Los Angeles.

This G-FEST had to be one of the smoothest ones in memory. Sure there were some snags, but they were very minor.

It was good to see the warm welcome the fans gave Kenji Sahara. I asked his translator, Yutaka Ichimura, if Mr. Sahara enjoyed himself. He said he did. According to J.D., the convention also gave inspiration to Mr. Sahara to get more active.

It was good to see old friends and meeting some new ones. It was also good to meet professionals in the industry, such as Matt Greenfield of ADV Films.

One of the nice things about attending G-FEST is being approached by fans with compliments on articles I've written. I can speak for the other contributors by saying that we do appreciate your feedback and well-wishes and we all will strive to produce articles that you will enjoy.

Of course, another nice dividend of G-FEST is actually meeting the stars, directors, special-effects directors and others connected with spfx films from Japan.

We are looking forward to the change in convention venues next year. We will be moving to the Wyndham O'Hare next year. They have an experienced convention catering staff (they originally signed us up at the Crowne Plaza) and know what our needs are. The hotel's website is here.

Additionally, according to Jeff Horne, "Within walking distance from the Wyndham is a McDonalds and the Pine Grove (a family restaurant) to the south. To the north is a Target, Panda Express, Pot Belly subs, iHop, Steak and Shake, Longhorn Steak House and other franchise eateries." That's good news! We'll no longer have to be at the mercy of the hotel's food and prices.

In the meantime, thanks to all who've made G-FEST XVI a fun event and I am looking forward to seeing you all in our new home.

Kenji Sahara Gets "Mangled Skyscraper" At G-FEST XVI

Kenji Sahara Gets "Mangled Skyscraper" At G-FEST XVI

Photo by Armand Vaquer

Longtime Japanese actor Kenji Sahara was awarded the 2009 Mangled Skyscraper Award by G-FAN editor and publisher J. D. Lees today at the G-FEST XVI Awards Luncheon.

Above, actor Kenji Sahara thanks the Godzilla Society of North America for the award.

Sahara was given the award for his work in many Godzilla movies from Japan that were produced by Toho Co., Ltd. His first appearance in a Godzilla movie was in the 1954 original. His most recent appearance was in Godzilla Final Wars in 2004.