Susan Dumas enjoyed the unique experience of living in Japan during both the mid-1950s and early 1960s, something of a rarity for an American gaijin. As a young adult, Ms. Dumas dabbled in the entertainment industry in Japan, appearing mostly on television and in print as a model. She even briefly lent her voice to the … Continue reading A MODEL LIFE! Susan Dumas on Her Memories of 1960s Japan!
Japan
LEO MENEGHETTI REMEMBERED: A Personal Reminiscence of One of the Godzilla Series’ Most Memorable Americans
One of the most memorable characters from the popular Heisei Godzilla series entry Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) is Dr. Asimov, who in many ways steals the show from his Japanese counterparts. But the man behind the character has remained quite elusive -- until now. Joseph Leo Meneghetti was born in Texas on September 28, 1943. Standing 6’5” … Continue reading LEO MENEGHETTI REMEMBERED: A Personal Reminiscence of One of the Godzilla Series’ Most Memorable Americans
MEMORIES OF ‘THE MANSTER’! Actress Terri Zimmern Shares Her Recollections of the Enduring, Made-in-Japan Cult Classic!
The Manster (1959) remains a beloved cult classic and has been a staple of late-night television for decades. Very little information has since come out about its production, and interviews with the cast and crew have proven to be scarce. One of the film's most memorable characters is the sympathetic lab assistant, Tara, who works … Continue reading MEMORIES OF ‘THE MANSTER’! Actress Terri Zimmern Shares Her Recollections of the Enduring, Made-in-Japan Cult Classic!
RECOLLECTIONS OF ‘BODY OF THE PREY’! Atsuko Rome Looks Back on Her Starring Role in Ed Wood’s Japanese Monster Movie!
Body of the Prey is a low-budget science fiction thriller that was produced in Japan in the late 1960s, but only recently has it received much attention in the West. Having been released on home video and/or written about under several different titles (such as The Revenge of Dr. X, Venus Flytrap, and The Devil Garden), research … Continue reading RECOLLECTIONS OF ‘BODY OF THE PREY’! Atsuko Rome Looks Back on Her Starring Role in Ed Wood’s Japanese Monster Movie!
DIVINE REFLECTIONS ON JAPAN! Ann Ault on Her Spiritual Journey through the East and West!
Ann Ault came to Japan in the mid-1960s with her father, Air Force Brigadier General Richard Ault (1917-2009), and it would be this experience that would launch a lifelong career in entertainment. It all started with a role as a nurse in the enduring cult classic The Green Slime (1968). From there, Ms. Ault embarked … Continue reading DIVINE REFLECTIONS ON JAPAN! Ann Ault on Her Spiritual Journey through the East and West!
ANTONIO’S DAUGHTER SPEAKS! Emiko Jade Frost on Her Cult Film Star Father, Robert Dunham!
Robert Dunham (July 6, 1931 - August 6, 2001) worked for several years as an actor, stunt man, and voice actor in the Japanese film industry during the 1960s and '70s. Among his best known credits are Godzilla vs. Megalon (as Antonio, the emperor of Seatopia), The Green Slime (as Captain Martin), and Dogora the … Continue reading ANTONIO’S DAUGHTER SPEAKS! Emiko Jade Frost on Her Cult Film Star Father, Robert Dunham!
JAPAN AND ITS SPECIAL EFFECTS! Oscar Winner Richard Edlund on His Interest in the Land of the Rising Sun and Godzilla!
Richard Edlund is a four-time Academy Award winner (winning for Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Return of the Jedi) who helped revolutionize the area of visual effects in moviemaking. Mr. Edlund's extensive effects credits include such blockbusters as: Poltergeist (1982), Ghostbusters (1984), Die Hard (1988), Batman Returns (1992), … Continue reading JAPAN AND ITS SPECIAL EFFECTS! Oscar Winner Richard Edlund on His Interest in the Land of the Rising Sun and Godzilla!
CULT CLASSIC MEMORIES! Philip Casnoff Recalls Acting in the Japanese Space Opera ‘Message from Space’!
Philip Casnoff is a versatile talent in the entertainment world. Nominated for a Golden Globe for his uncanny portrayal of Frank Sinatra in 1992’s CBS miniseries Sinatra, Mr. Casnoff first achieved national fame for his role as Elkanah Bent in North and South, a highly-rated Civil War-era miniseries for ABC, which aired in 1985 and … Continue reading CULT CLASSIC MEMORIES! Philip Casnoff Recalls Acting in the Japanese Space Opera ‘Message from Space’!
FAR EAST STORY! George Chakiris Remembers ‘Flight from Ashiya’!
George Chakiris is an Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning actor whose breakthrough role was that of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, in West Side Story (1961). After his award-winning performance in West Side Story, Mr. Chakiris went on to star in such films as Two and Two Make Six (1962), Kings of the Sun … Continue reading FAR EAST STORY! George Chakiris Remembers ‘Flight from Ashiya’!
A BRUSH WITH GODZILLA! American Actor Jon Gallock Discusses His Close Encounter in ‘Godzilla vs. Destoroyah’!
Jon Gallock moved to Japan by design but became an actor there almost by accident. After becoming involved in show business, Mr. Gallock quickly landed a role in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) as an airline pilot taking off from Hong Kong who nearly collides with the Big G as he rises out of the sea. … Continue reading A BRUSH WITH GODZILLA! American Actor Jon Gallock Discusses His Close Encounter in ‘Godzilla vs. Destoroyah’!
Vantage Point Interviews 