Hooters Considering Possible Bankruptcy

Above, Shinichi Wakasa, Steve Ryfle and (late) Richard Pusateri at the Santa Monica
 Hooters following an American Film Market screening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hooters, the restaurant chain that features attractive and well-endowed waitresses, is considering filing bankruptcy, likely Chapter 11.

A group of us used to go to the Santa Monica Hooters following Godzilla movie screenings (at Toho Co., Ltd.'s invitation) at the American Film Market.

According to Fox Business:

A bankruptcy filing could potentially be on the menu for Hooters of America in the near future.

The company is looking at possibly filing for bankruptcy as a means of restructuring the restaurant chain and tackling its debt, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing unnamed sources.

Ropes & Gray has reportedly been brought on board for preparations for that potential move and, according to the outlet, they could file court papers on Hooters’ behalf in the coming two months to kick off the restructuring if the restaurant chain decides to take that step. 

To read more, go here. 

Monsterpalooza 2017

Above, how would you like to have this on your desk? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I made it to the last day of this year's Monsterpalooza. As I was driving The Beast, the closest parking I could find was about 4 blocks away.

After standing in the ticket line for about 50 minutes, I finally got into this year's Monsterpalooza at the Pasadena Convention Center. All things considered, it would have been a much worse wait had the show not moved out of the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Burbank.

Above, the ticket line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As usual, Monsterpalooza had a lot of monster, horror and science-fiction things to look at and, in some cases, to buy. There was even a little lady (sans top) getting an "Earl Scheib" paint job.

I met up with Brant Elliott while in line and we had a good time wandering around many rows of booths of just about everything imaginable.

I didn't see anyone that I knew except my daughter Amber and her boyfriend Neil and master monster suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa at the show. I guess a lot of them (at least the ones from out-of-state or from Northern California) were already on the road heading home.

Although the Pasadena Convention Center is a huge facility, Monsterpalooza filled up all the exhibit halls.

There was one "fly in the ointment" though. I should have charged up the battery to my Canon camera. It only had enough juice for two photographs and it went dead. Luckily, my cell phone was fully charged and I was able to take pictures with its camera.

Brant and I finished off the day with dinner at P. F. Chang's China Bistro that was located across the street.

All in all, Monsterpalooza didn't disappoint and it was very well attended.

Some photos:

Above, the bride and her court. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly with a strange critter. Photo by Brant Elliott.

Above, Brant Elliott with the same critter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a nice Alien. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a refreshment break. 

Above, a view of the main hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a little lady getting the "Earl Scheib treatment". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, artist Frank Dietz autographing a book for Brant Elliott. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, how would like to meet this in a dark alley? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, since there's a full moon tonight... Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, my turn with the lycanthrope. Photo by Brant Elliott.

Above, a Godzilla sculpture in progress by Simon Lee. Photo by Ar,mand Vaquer.

Above, I met a new friend at Monsterpalooza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's My Monsterpalooza Day

Above, yours truly with Academy Award-winning actor Martin Landau at the 2013 Monsterpalooza.

Today's the day that I will be heading out to Pasadena for this year's Monsterpalooza.

Hopefully, I will find a parking spot for The Beast since the Mustang is still in the shop. I will be meeting up with Brant Elliot when I arrive. He tells me that the show has been a "madhouse" with crowds of people. This will be interesting to see since the Pasadena Convention Center is a larger facility than Monsterpalooza's former home, the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

Hopefully, I will be able to see a few fellow kaiju fans from here and Japan. Master monster suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa is at the show. I don't think I've seen him since the 2011 show when I did my presentation on Japan's monster movie locations. I attended that show with Miki Hayashi.

I'll be bringing my camera along, so you'll see some photos of the show later on.

So if you're at Monsterpalooza today, look me up!

From Japan...

They are already celebrating the 22nd anniversary of my 39th birthday in Japan. It is already February 4 in Japan. Japan is 17 hours ahead of California.

I've received some messages from my Japanese friends (and some who live in Japan) including...

Kenpachiro Satsuma (the Heisei Godzilla):

Armand vaquer 誕生日、心からお祝いいたします。おめでとう！

Shinichi Wakasa (the great monster suit-maker):

Happy Birthday Armand!
Have a great one!!!

Shelley Sweeney (actress in several Godzilla movies):

Happy Birthday!

Robert Scott Field (M-11 in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah):

happy b-day smile emoticon

Hooters To Open In Shibuya Mid-April

Time Out Tokyo posed that a new Hooters is coming to Shibuya in mid-April.

They wrote that it will be right next to the Shibuya 109, a landmark from two kaiju movies, Gamera 3 (1999) and Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000).

This reminds me of the days (the early 2000s) when Toho used to screen their latest Godzilla movie for potential distributors at the American Film Market in Santa Monica. Several of us were also invited to the screenings each year. Following the screenings, we G-fans would migrate to the Hooters in Santa Monica. One time, we were joined by monster suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa.

Above, the Hooters girls pose with Shinichi Wakasa, Steve Ryfle
and Richard Pusateri in Santa Monica. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the Time Out Tokyo article, go here.

Birthday Greetings

Some of my friends are on the creative side. There's some that I should give recognition for creativity and going "the extra mile" with their birthday greetings (although I thank all who sent their birthday greetings).

From Shinchi Wakasa, the great monster suit-maker:

Above, Wakasa-san's greeting included this Japanese poster for Godzilla Raids Again (1955).

From Greg Cordaro of Radioactive Karaoke:

And, the Kaiju Bros.:

Hooters To Open In Osaka

Hooters Japan has announced that they will be opening a new Hooters in Osaka this month:

This reminds me of a time that several of us, including monster suit-maker Shinchi Wakasa, went to Hooters in Santa Monica following a Godzilla movie screening at the American Film Market (below).

Above, (left to right) Shinchi Wakasa, Richard Pusateri and Steve Ryfle with the Hooters girls.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten Years of "Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S."

Next month (December 13, to be exact), will mark ten years since the release in Japan of Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., the 27th entry in Toho Co., Ltd.'s Godzilla series.

Tokyo S.O.S. is the third Godzilla film directed by Masaaki Tezuka.  

The movie pretty much picks up where Godzilla x Mechagodzilla (2002) left off with Mechagodzilla undergoing repairs after its battle with Godzilla in the prior movie.

My first screening of Tokyo S.O.S. was at the American Film Market (at Toho's invitation) in Santa Monica. At the time, I was a bit underwhelmed by it and found it to be disjointed at times. But, the movie has grown in (my) esteem over the years. It is a fun romp of monster action. The acting was so-so with the male lead having some rather boring personal issues. The stronger characters were the women in the movie: Miho Yoshioka as a fighter pilot and Masami Nagasawa & Chihiro Otsuka as Mothra's Shobijin. Hiroshi Koizumi reprises his Mothra (1961) role as Dr. Shin'ichi Chûjô.

Amazingly, the movie features superb special effects despite having a sliced budget.

The movie was later released on DVD in the United States as Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. While in Japan in 2004, I picked up the Region 2 Toho DVD of the movie, which included a bonus item: a claw made by Shinichi Wakasa's monster suit company. The bonus was exclusive to HMV record and video stores in Japan, I was told.

Above, the Toho DVD bonus Godzilla claw in front of Bandai's Godzilla from Tokyo S.O.S. 

The next (and 28th and last) entry in Toho's Godzilla movie series was Godzilla Final Wars (2004), which received mixed reviews by fans. At the time of Godzilla Final Wars release, Toho announced that they would be putting Godzilla on an extended 10-year hiatus due to dwindling box office receipts.

Next year, we will see the release of Godzilla by Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros., just in time for Godzilla's 60th anniversary.

Monsterpalooza 2013 - Part 1

Above, the Lon Chaney "Phantom of the Opera."

Text and photos by Armand Vaquer

Monsterpalooza 2013 was another great show!  As usual, the Burbank Marriott's convention center was packed (it will be worse on Saturday and Sunday) with many happy attendees.

I got there at about 6:00 PM this evening.  I had about a 30 minute wait in line.  Fortunately, a nice costumed gent handed out copies of the show's program, so we had something to look at.

My ad for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan was placed in an excellent position on page 5 of the show program.  Jessie Lilley did a great job on the program and I complimented her on it and congratulated her on her induction to the Monster Kid Hall of Fame.  She said that big plans are afoot for next year in getting Haruo Nakajima inducted.

Shinichi Wakasa was there, but I didn't see him.  Bob Johnson and Jay Grymyr were there, but I didn't run into them either.  I did manage to see (or, he saw me first) kaiju toy collector Jean Carbajal as I was waiting in line to get in.  We chatted a bit.

King Kong was prominent as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the original RKO King Kong (also, it would have been my mother's 80th birthday this year).

I roamed around the show and was impressed with all the displays.  There seemed to be more realistic wax figures of horror greats at this year's show.

Here's some photos:

Above, anxious fans waiting to get into the show.

Above, a young lady getting the make-up treatment.

Above, I met with Jessie Lilley of Mondo Cult magazine.

Above, the Max Shreck "Nosferatu."

Above, Jack Nicholson in "The Shining."

Happy Birthday, Miki!

Above, one of many photographs taken of Miki for promoting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Since publishing The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, it has been my good fortune in meeting and working with a many wonderful people over the past year and a half.

One of which is model Miki Hayashi.

Last year, through writer, filmmaker and dinosaur expert Donald F. Glut, I was able to secure the services of two topnotch models, Yuu Asakura and Miki Hayashi.

After coming home from work tonight, I found out that today's Miki's birthday.

Besides being a model, Miki is a university student living in the Long Beach area. She is originally from Kyoto, Japan.

Above, following our photo-shoot, Miki and I had a "wrap" lunch at Crazy Tokyo Sushi.

I first met Miki last February (although we had spoken on the phone a few times prior) when we did our photo-shoot. I found her to be a very nice person and easy to work with.

Then, last April, I was scheduled to present a talk on monster movie locations in Japan at this year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank. My daughter Amber was going to assist me, but came down with a nasty flu a few weeks before Monsterpalooza. She stil wasn't fully recovered when Monsterpalooza approached.

So, I called Miki and she agreed to pitch in and assist me. Am I ever grateful for that!

While at Monsterpalooza, I introduced her to "Mr. Godzilla" himself, Haruo Nakajima and to master monster suit-maker, Shinichi Wakasa.

Above, Miki with Haruo Nakajima at Monsterpalooza.

So, here's a big Happy Birthday to Miki! Happy Birthday, Miki!

Experiencing A Monster Convention For The First Time

Photos by Armand Vaquer

Above, Miki  with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" during our February photo shoot.

As a veteran of many different conventions over the years, I've accumulated a lot of photos of myself with celebrities. This year I decided to take a different approach at Monsterpalooza.

I asked my The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan model Miki to assist me at the sales table during my presentation, "Scene To Seen" at this year's Monsterpalooza. My daughter was originally going to help, but a three-week bought with the flu made that an impossibility. Miki agreed to do so.

She is originally from Kyoto, Japan (her parents now live in Osaka) and she never attended a monster convention before. So this was a new experience for her.

She attends college in Orange County and it took her about two hours to get to my house in Tarzana Friday evening. Once she arrived and after freshening up, we headed to Monsterpalooza in Burbank (about 15 miles away).

Once we got there, we stood in line to get in. While doing so, we spotted Haruo Nakajima and his daughter Sonoe on the walkway between the convention center and the main Marriott Hotel building. Sonoe and I spotted each other and gave big waves and she motioned to her dad of my presence. He smiled and waved also.



After getting our wristbands, Miki and I went over to the Nakajima table. I introduced Miki to Sonoe Nakajima. I asked Miki if she'd like an autographed photo of Mr. Nakajima (my treat), she said yes. She picked out the beautifully colorized photo of Mr. Nakajima in a Godzilla suit (with the proceeds going to Japan earthquake relief). She had Mr. Nakajima sign it and then we had her pose for a couple of pictures with The Man (above).

Miki, by this point, was beaming. She said that Mr. Nakajima is "very famous" in Japan and it was a thrill to meet him. She can't wait to email the photos I took to her parents in Japan.

During the time we were at Monsterpalooza, I introduced Miki to a number of prominent G-fans including Richard Pusateri, Steve Ryfle, Peter H. Brothers, Bob Johnson and others.



We then wandered around the convention, first taking in the museum exhibits. Miki appeared to be awe-struck by the figures on display. I asked her if she'd like a photo of her (above) with one and she agreed. She wants to send that one to her parents as well.

After the museum, we wandered around the vendors area. She and Julie Adams (Creature From The Black Lagoon) talked about Miss Adams' USO visit to Tokyo during the Korean War.

After seeing the vendors area, we went back into the lobby and bumped into Godzilla (and other monsters) suit-maker Shinichi Wakasa, who was buying himself a beer at a small bar set up in the lobby. I introduced Miki to him and they had a brief conversation in Japanese. I then took a picture of Miki with Wakasa (below).



At this point, I had to get my things for the "Scene To Seen" presentation at the theater in the main building of the Marriott from the car. After doing so we headed over to the presentation room and met up with Peter H. Brothers and his friend Gordon.

Following our presentations, Miki and I headed for Kabuki Japanese Restaurant in the media center area of Burbank, but once we got there, we found that the waiting list was long and we's have at least a 25 minute wait before being seated. So we went instead a few doors away to Fuddrucker's for dinner. We didn't care what we ate, we were both starved.

After dinner, we headed back to my residence and Miki headed back home in the Long Beach area.

The next day, I received this very nice note from Miki:

Hi Armand,

Thank you so much for last night. I had a great time, the event was very interesting.

And thanks for pictures. I was so happy to see the Godzilla guy and take pictures with him.

And I'm glad that your presentation went very well.

Thanks again
Miki

It was fun photographing Miki at the convention and enjoyed watching her experience a monster convention for the first time. I think it comes through in the pictures.

Monsterpalooza: Day One

Above, Carla Laemmle, 101 (born October 20, 1909), the last surviving actress of the 1931 "Dracula" and the niece of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle, enjoyed talking with fans.

Just got back from the first day at Monsterpalooza.

The convention itself was loaded to the Gill Man's gills with things to see and people to meet. I was able to meet Bela Lugosi, Jr. and we talked about how I came upon his Inglewood telephone book listing when I lived in nearby Hawthorne.

Above, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein again in Monsterpalooza's museum.

Miki discussed Japan with actress Julie Adams (Creature From The Black Lagoon). Adams said she was in Japan once for a USO show in the 1950s when the Korean War broke out.

Miki got Haruo Nakajima's autograph and posed for a photo with him. Earlier, she said that he is very famous in Japan. She is from Kyoto, Japan.

Above, the original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima with Miki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Later, I introduced Miki to kaiju suitmaker Shinichi Wakasa (below).



Monsterpalooza's museum again was loaded with some great wax figures that didn't disappoint attendees.

Above, Lon Chaney, Jr. as the Wolf Man prowled Monsterpalooza's museum.

At 7:00, I headed over to catch Peter H. Brothers's talk (below) on Godzilla director Ishiro Honda and prepared the table for sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. At 8:00, my presentation on Japanese monster locations began. Pete and I shared the table out side of the ballroom for book sales.



Although both of our presentations were well-received, unfortunately, the room for the presentations was away from the convention center and in the main hotel. (This was to make room for more vendors.) This resulted in a sparse attendance for our presentations. We each had about 35-45 attendees. Additionally, the people of the next presentation, "Zombies From The Supermarket" (John Naulin) sabotaged our book sales by grabbing the table immediately following my presentation. We were promised a table before and after our presentations. What gave them the right to grab our table?

Above, Miki in the Monsterpalooza museum.

The Monsterpalooza staff tried to get people over for the presentations by making announcements over a p.a. system, but we were told that the noise in the convention center drowned out the announcements. At past Monsterpaloozas, the presentations took place in the convention center, which was easily accessed. Having the room for presentations away from the convention center is like being out in the boonies. The Monsterpalooza planners need to address this problem for future shows.

Above, my "Scene To Seen" presentation in progress. Photo by Richard Pusateri.

Following my presentation (and table fiasco), Miki and I left for dinner at Fuddrucker's in the media center area of Burbank. We were both starved. We both enjoyed our meals.

Above, following my "Scene To Seen" presentation. Photo by Richard Pusateri.

Despite the aforementioned glitches, Monsterpalooza was fun. I'll be heading back tomorrow to take more of it in.