G-FEST XXVI Awards

A G-FEST wouldn't be complete without an awards ceremony for the guests (and others).

Awards included "G-FAN Hall of Fame", "Lifetime Achievement" and the "Mangled Skyscraper Award". These were awarded on Sunday morning.

Here's a sampling:

Above, it was an emotional moment when Sonoe Nakajima (center) received a G-FAN Hall of Fame
Award from David Nunes for her work in supporting her late father, Haruo Nakajima, in his
 convention appearances around the world for nearly 20 years. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, actor Akira Takarada receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from J. D. Lees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, director Shusuke Kaneko receives the Mangled Skyscraper Award
 for 2019. He said the award came as a surprise. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mangled Skyscraper Quiz

The following people were awarded the Mangled Skyscraper Award (which seems to have more meaning than the Nobel Peace Prize today, given the news that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for accomplishing nothing) for their contributions to the daikaiju eiga genre.

They are (not in chronological order):

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

Each one contributed to the enjoyment of daikaiju eiga in differing ways. For fun, match the people above to the questions below. There are no prizes, but a test of your knowledge.

1. This person directed the Showa series of Gamera movies. Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?

2. This person is known as "Mister G-FEST." Is it A, B, C, D, E or F?


3. Name the persons who worked for Toho. Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?


4. Name the person(s) who worked as a director? Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?


5. Name the person who was the original Godzilla suit-actor. Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?

6. Who attended 11 consecutive G-FESTS? Was it A, B, C, D or E?

7. Name the persons who attended at least two G-FESTS. Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?

8. Who was prompted to do a belly dance at his award ceremony? Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?

9. Name the recipient and the year of their award.

10. Who is a filmmaker with his own production company? Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?

11. Name the five who are still living.

12. Name the five who speaks/spoke fluent Japanese.

13. Which of the six received his award at the Radisson Hotel? Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?

14. Name the person(s) who is still a working actor. Was it A, B, C, D, E or F?


Respond with your answers in the comments section for this blog. Have fun!

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 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.

Haruo Nakajima Turns 80

Haruo Nakajima, who was the man in the Godzilla suit from 1954 to 1972, turned 80 years old today.

Nakajima played several other monsters during his movie career including Rodan, Varan, King Kong and many others. He also became the choreographer of monster fights. He was honored last year at G-FEST XV with the "Mangled Skyscraper Award."

We should have done this days ago (it is now January 2 in Japan), but any birthday greetings to one of the pioneers in daikaiju eiga is appreciated. But go ahead and post your birthday greetings here and I will see to it that his daughter Sonoe receives the messages.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Nakajima!