63 Years of "Donovan's Reef"

I am surprised that I missed this one. But it's better late than ever!

Yesterday marked 63 years that the John Wayne, Jack Warden, Lee Marvin, Cesar Romero and Elizabeth Allen feature, Donovan's Reef was released. It was the last feature Wayne was directed by John Ford. 

I remember seeing it at the old Balboa Theater in the Vermont Ave./Manchester Blvd. section of Los Angeles with my parents and a couple of friends. It was paired with King Kong vs. Godzilla. 

Donovan's Reef was the first movie shown of the double-feature. We mainly went there to see the Godzilla movie, but we enjoyed the light comedy set in the South Seas. 

Here is the official trailer: 

Jeff Goldblum On "King Kong vs. Godzilla"

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Actor Jeff Goldblum's favorite movie as a kid was King Kong vs. Godzilla. It was released by Toho in 1962 and the edited American version was released in 1963 by Universal Pictures.

Interestingly, his excitement about going to see the movie echoed what neighborhood kids and I felt in Los Angeles. 

My parents took me and two friends to the Balboa Theater in the Vermont Avenue/Manchester Blvd. area of Los Angeles. The movie was paired with the John Wayne South Seas light comedy Donovan's Reef.

We can laugh about King Kong vs. Godzilla now, especially the gawd-awful King Kong suit. 

The Japanese version was played as a satire on big business. Unfortunately, that aspect was muddied up in the American version. 

Still, for pre-teens back in 1963, the movie was fun to watch. 

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!

61 Years of "Donovan's Reef"

Above, Lee Marvin, Elizabeth Allen and John Wayne in Donovan's Reef.

Yesterday, the official John Wayne Facebook page posted the following:

Today marks the 61st Anniversary of the release of Donovan's Reef (1963).​​​​​​​​​

“Yeah, well, frangipani and flamethrowers donʼt seem to go together, but thatʼs the way it was.” —John Wayne Michael Patrick “Guns” Donovan in Donovan’s Reef

This is the final film in which John Wayne appeared under the direction of John Ford. Duke worked on 22 films with John Ford over the course of his career. Duke began in the props department herding geese on the set of John Ford's film Mother Machree (1927).

It is hard to believe that 61 years have passed since June 12, 1963. My parents took two friends and I to see King Kong vs. Godzilla at the Balboa Theater in the Vermont and Manchester area of Los Angeles. It was the co-feature with Donovan's Reef, which played first. 

Fortunately, we weren't bored with it and found it enjoyable. I think this may have been the first John Wayne movie I saw theatrically. I was nine years old at the time. 

"McLintock!" 60th Anniversary

Above, a McLintock! poster.

Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of the John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara western comedy, McLintock! It was a western version of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

This was the second John Wayne movie I saw in 1963. I saw Donovan's Reef at the Balboa Theater in Los Angeles with King Kong vs. Godzilla, which was released in the U.S. in June of 1963. Two friends joined my parents and me to see the double-feature.

I do remember that the Kennedy cortege passed by a movie theater with McLintock! on the marquee. So November would be right. 

Above, the Kennedy cortege about to pass a theater showing McLintock!

It is hard to believe sometimes how much time has passed. 

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.

Experience Godzilla Daily Attacks In Atami

Above, Atami Castle sits on a hill overlooking the town. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Atami has the distinction to Godzilla fans as the place where the battle between Godzilla and King Kong ended in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).

After demolishing Atami Castle, both monsters tumbled into the ocean.

Today, Atami has a new Godzilla attraction that fans may want to check out: daily Godzilla attacks.

Japan Today reported:

Atami has long been one of Japan’s most popular seaside travel destinations. Located in Shizuoka Prefecture at the eastern entrance to the Izu Peninsula, Atami’s abundant hot springs and sweeping ocean views make the archetypal itinerary a nice long soak and a luxurious meal served in your hotel room as you gaze out at the sea as the sun sets.

However, if rather than destressing you’re looking for something that’ll get your heartrate up in Atami, the Atami Bay Resort Korakuen hotel has just the amenity for you: daily Godzilla attacks.

The hotel is currently running the Escape from the Hotel Being Attacked by Godzilla escape room game. The event is one of the latest creations from Scrap, the Tokyo-based escape room design company (and also the people behind the amazing real-life Metal Gear Solid game). And even though Godzilla is targeting the hotel, non-guests can get in on the fun/terror too, since the game is offered in two formats.

To read more, go here. 

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!

60th Anniversary of "King Kong vs. Godzilla"

Today marks 60 years since King Kong vs. Godzilla by Toho Co., Ltd. was released in Japanese theaters.

The movie holds the record for box office receipts in Japan at 11.2 million tickets during its initial theatrical run.

It was premiered in the United States on June 26, 1963 in New York City by Universal Pictures. It was the first Godzilla movie I saw in a theater. I saw it co-billed with Donovan's Reef at the Balboa Theater in Los Angeles.

Here's the official Japanese trailer:

"Godzilla vs. Kong" Sequel To Begin Filming Later This Year

Above, the two titans will meet again starting later this year.

We waited nearly 60 years for the rematch of Kong and Godzilla. But we won't have to wait nearly as long for the third bout between the two.

According to Yahoo, filming will begin in Australia and Hawaii later this year for the sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong.

They wrote:

Call it The Rumble Down Under 2: The sequel to “Godzilla vs. Kong” will begin shooting later this year in eastern Australia, according to local film authority Screen Queensland.

Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ 2021 global blockbuster “Godzilla vs. Kong” shot both in Hawaii and in and around the Queensland city of Brisbane. The sequel will return to Australia’s eastern coastal region, bringing with it more than 500 local crew jobs and roles for some 750 extras, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

The mega-monsters’ return to locations across the Gold Coast is expected to deliver nearly $80 million in economic boost. That estimate is more than twice what 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” brought to the local economy.

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla vs. Kong" Has Monster Box Office

Back in the Showa era, the 1962 King Kong vs. Godzilla was the highest-grossing Godzilla movie produced by Toho Co., Ltd.

Now, the "rematch" (not officially) between the two, Godzilla vs. Kong by Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures, appears to be a hit with moviegoers.

The BBC reported:

Hollywood film Godzilla Vs. Kong has set a new global record for pandemic-era filmgoing,

Takings have been more than $385m (£205m) since opening two weeks ago.

The strong showing came despite continued limits on attendance in many places, bringing hope to an industry that has been battered by the virus.

The $48.5m the film brought in during its first five days in the US outpaced the weekend debut of the Godzilla franchise's previous film.

Overall, the film has made more than $236m outside the US, although it has yet to open in some key markets, such as Japan, Brazil and many parts of western Europe. More than half the sales were in China. 

As for myself, I haven't seen Godzilla vs. Kong as yet. I am heading to Durango, Colorado (one of two places nearest to me that's showing it) for a mini-trek to see it this week. Durango is less than four hours away. Theaters in New Mexico are closed down thanks to the state's governor.

To read more, go here.

Review: "Godzilla vs. Kong" Reawakens The Franchise

We're five days away from the release of Godzilla vs. Kong (Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros.) to the U.S., provided that your state's governor allows movie theaters to open for business. Unfortunately, New Mexico is one that still has its theaters shuttered thanks to Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham. I will have to go to the nearest theater showing to me, in Show Low, Arizona.

But I digress.

ABC News (the Australia one, not the U.S. one) has posted a review of Godzilla vs. Kong. For those who are concerned, there's no spoilers to ruin your future screening. 

They start it with:

It's a rumble for the ages — or at least the last 60 years, ever since Japan's most famous radioactive reptile first squared off against Hollywood's 'Eighth Wonder of the World', the Empire State Building-scaling simian with a bad temper but a big heart.

Complete with an actor in a wonderfully ropey ape suit, Ishiro Honda's King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) jumpstarted Toho Studios' classic Shōwa era of kaiju (or: "monster") showdowns — films that drew as much on professional wrestling as they did the studio's original, dark vision of an apex predator born of man's atomic folly.

Curiously, these two titans would never face off again — until now.

Godzilla vs Kong, directed by American horror filmmaker Adam Wingard (The Guest; You're Next), is the third in Legendary Pictures' iteration of the franchise, which has stomped an uneasy path from sombre blockbuster spectacle (Gareth Edwards' 2014 Godzilla) to unsuccessfully tangling with the Japanese films' more outlandish monster-verse (2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters).

Wingard's film follows both those movies and Legendary's Kong: Skull Island (2017), an agreeably pulpy smash-up that gestured toward the less tasteful, and more rewarding, terrain of B-movie mayhem.

And after what seems like an eternity away from big, noisy Hollywood cinema, the new film — with its widescreen cityscape destruction, stock characters, and splashes of neon — already feels like a throwback to another time at the cinema.

Above, a U.S. poster of the 59 year old King Kong vs. Godzilla.

To read the rest of the review, go here. 

GaijinPot: Atami Onsen

Above, Atami Castle is perched on a hilltop overlooking the town. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are staying in Tokyo while visiting to Japan, they should consider an excursion (either a day trip or an overnighter) to Atami to partake in a good soak in the onsen hot springs.

The ride to Atami is about an hour long via shinkansen. The town is notable to kaiju fans as the location used for the end of 1962's King Kong vs. Godzilla, where the two monsters demolish Atami Castle before plunging into the ocean.

Above, an outdoor rooftop hot bath overlooking Atami. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

GaijinPot has posted an article on Atami onsen.

They start it with:

If you’re itching for a quick getaway from the hustle of Tokyo, don’t fret – the onsen (hot spring) town of Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture is closer than you think. It’s located on the Izu peninsula, a scenic bit of the mainland that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, just over an hour southwest of the metropolis. 

Atami is a cultural landmark with healing waters where Japanese – including Edo Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa – have been visiting for over 1,000 years. The town’s sulfate and salt-rich hot springs are great for relaxing the entire body and healing minor aches and pains. 

Even if you don’t have an entire weekend to spare, there are excellent onsen resorts in the city that accommodate day-trippers, too. There are some gorgeous ocean-side hot springs to check out and a few attractions along the way. Let’s explore…

To read more, go here. 

Eiji Tsuburaya Museum Opens In Fukushima

Above, Eiji Tsuburaya on the set of King Kong vs. Godzilla. Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

There is now another place in Japan that Godzilla fans will have to add to their "bucket list" of Godzilla-related places to visit.

The new Eiji Tsuburaya Museum has opened in Fukushima.

According to Stars and Stripes:

Experience the world of Godzilla, Ultraman and their co-creator, Eiji Tsuburaya the God of Special Effects in Sukagawa, Fukushima, as the region continues to rebound from the Great Eastern Earthquake. On Jan. 11, after five years in the making, the Sukagawa Citizens Exchange Center tette building opened to hundreds in attendance. 

During the opening ceremony, Mayor Katsuya Hashimoto said, “Our brand-new community center tette (hands) is Sukagawa city’s main place for cultural exchange and citizens’ activities and we are committed to nurturing citizens here long into the future. We also honor tokusatsu (special effects) master, Eiji Tsuburaya, born in Sukagawa city, for his accomplishments at the Eiji Tsuburaya Museum, an archival center that will disseminate Japanese special effects to the world.” 

The dreaming spirit of Tsuburaya, who was inspired by Merian C. Cooper’s King Kong (1933) to make his own monster movies, is chronicled in detail on the 5th floor of the tette Exchange Center. Before his untimely passing in 1970, Tsuburaya worked on more than 250 military and science fiction movies and TV programs with Toho Studios and his own Tsuburaya Productions. With a tight-knit team of 60 innovative artists, he debuted Ultra Q (1965) and Ultraman (1966) to unsuspecting Japanese homes, spawning the first kaiju boom. 

All over Sukagawa you can celebrate Tsuburaya’s universe of characters at the town’s city hall, train station, post offices, stores, airport, and the community center with its five modern floors of: classes, music rooms, event halls, libraries, and childcare spaces. The tette building also includes cultural meeting rooms, an Ultra FM radio station, stores, Ultraman kaiju statues, and the museum focused on the aspiring airplane pilot who flew south, ascended to photographer, and became an unequaled director of special visual effects, utilizing miniatures and suitmation, co-inventing Japan’s most iconic monsters and heroes.

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla's Snow Frolic

After watching Godzilla (1954), since today is what would be Haruo Nakajima's 90th birthday, I decided to have some fun outside with the snow on the deck.

I took some pictures of the Bandai Museum Godzilla 1962 in the snow.

Here's one of them:

"What do you make of that, Al?"

Beginner's Guide To Climbing Mt. Fuji

Above, a shinkansen view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Scaling the slopes of Mount Fuji in Japan was an easy task for Godzilla and King Kong in 1963. For the rest of us, well, it's not that easy.

However, Japan Today has posted a beginner's guide to climbing it.

It begins with:

TOKYO - If you were looking for an image to represent Japan, chances are the perfect, snow-capped cone of Mt Fuji would be high on your list. It’s not just there to admire from a distance, however. Conquering Fuji is at the top of many people’s bucket lists and with just a few weeks left in the climbing season, now is a great time to take up the challenge! 

To help you along the way, here’s our beginner’s guide to tackling this most iconic of mountains.

To read the guide, go here. 

Accommodation Options Near Mount Fuji

Above, a shinkansen view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mount Fuji was the "location" used in a number of kaiju movies over the years. They include King Kong vs. Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters and Gamera, The Guardian of the Universe. It is also a popular destination for visitors and there are several kinds of accommodations available for a stay near Japan's iconic peak.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on what's available.

They begin with:

Whether you’re climbing it or just admiring the iconic mountain from a distance, Fuji-san is well worth a trip from Tokyo. If you want to stay nearby, we have more than a few suggestions for accommodation near Mount Fuji. 

Unsurprisingly, your options for accommodation near Mount Fuji include plenty of hotels, hostels and traditional Japanese ryokans (inns) to bed down in for the night, with a few even perched on its slopes. Whether you’re looking to view the mountain and then explore Kawaguchiko, or just stare lovingly at the peak from an onsen (hot spring), you’re sure to find something that suits your budget. Combine this with excellent transport options from Tokyo and our hiking guide with all you need to know, and you’re set to go!

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla vs. Kong" Working Title Revealed

Above, Toho's version of a clash between Godzilla and Kong.

There's some news on Legendary Pictures' Godzilla vs. Kong.

Pursue News reported:

Since learning that Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla vs. Kong had moved forward with a filming date and location, it was only a matter of time before more details regarding its production was made available for fans. 

According to a recent listing on Production Weekly, the working title for Godzilla vs. Kong is “Apex”.  Any fan of the franchise would know that the working title is an incomplete term (Apex predator) commonly used to refer an Alpha predator which is at the top of the food chain with no natural predators. It is certainly a fitting working title.

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla and Wako Department Store

Above, Godzilla is about to trash the Wako Department Store in Ginza in 1954.

The Wako Department Store in Ginza, Tokyo appeared in four Godzilla movies over the years.

It appeared first in the 1954 Godzilla and was demolished. Later, it appeared in King Kong vs. Godzilla in 1962. Then, it showed up in Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995). Next, and last, it appeared and was destroyed again in Shin Godzilla (2016).

Above, the Wako and Mitsukoshi (right) department stores in Ginza get blasted in Shin Godzilla.

It seems that Godzilla has some sort of grudge against Wako?

Godzilla 2 Including "Old School Monster Effects"

Above, a scene from King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Toho Co., Ltd.

It looks like Legendary's Godzilla: King of the Monsters (or Godzilla 2) will be including some "old school practical monster effects".

According to Movieweb:

Godzilla 2 is finally shooting this summer after several years of impatient waiting. Gareth Edwards' 2014 Godzilla divided fans, but it was successful at the box office and revived the franchise. It looks like director Mike Dougherty, who is taking over for the next installment, is looking to make some fans of the old-school Godzilla movies very happy. How, you may ask? Well, he is going to include some practical monster effects in Godzilla: King of Monsters.

This'll be interesting to see!

To read more, go here.