Paul Mason poses with his old friend Hachi. Photo © Paul Mason. Early in his career, Paul Mason got a break of monstrous proportions. Hired by producer John Beck to Americanize the Toho classic King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) for theatrical release by Universal-International in 1963, Mr. Mason still has many fond memories of the … Continue reading BRINGING A KAIJU CLASSIC TO AMERICA! Writer Paul Mason on the Americanization of ‘King Kong vs. Godzilla’!
Toho
WOMAN FROM THE 23RD CENTURY! Anna Nakagawa on Starring in ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’!
In 1991, Anna Nakagawa (1965-2014) was a rising actress in Japan. That year, she was asked by Toho Co., Ltd., to star in the studio’s next G-film, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991). Playing the part of Futurian Emmy Kano, Ms. Nakagawa became one of the most popular leading ladies in Western Godzilla fandom. While she … Continue reading WOMAN FROM THE 23RD CENTURY! Anna Nakagawa on Starring in ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’!
ON DIRECTING GODZILLA AND GAMERA! Shusuke Kaneko on Filmmaking the Kaiju Way!
Shusuke Kaneko is an acclaimed Japanese director who rose to prominence internationally in 1995 with the release of Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, a landmark kaiju film that still enjoys tremendous popularity around the world. Mr. Kaneko built on that worldwide success with Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion (1996) and Gamera 3: Revenge of … Continue reading ON DIRECTING GODZILLA AND GAMERA! Shusuke Kaneko on Filmmaking the Kaiju Way!
FLY ME TO THE MOON! Actress Elise Richter Recalls Toho’s ‘Battle in Outer Space’!
Philadelphia native Elise Richter moved to Japan in the 1950s with her family, but she could not have guessed that the experience would have led to a career in the movies. While she appeared in numerous films for various studios, Ms. Richter’s best remembered role is that of Sylvia in Battle in Outer Space … Continue reading FLY ME TO THE MOON! Actress Elise Richter Recalls Toho’s ‘Battle in Outer Space’!
REDESIGNING A LEGEND! William Stout on the Godzilla That Never Was!
William Stout, one of the world’s leading dinosaur and wildlife artists, was tapped in the early 1980s by director Steve Miner to storyboard his proposed film "Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 3-D." His credits in the sci-fi/fantasy genre include Conan the Barbarian (1982), Invaders from Mars (1986), Men in Black (1997), and Disney’s Dinosaur … Continue reading REDESIGNING A LEGEND! William Stout on the Godzilla That Never Was!
BIOMAJOR’S BEST! Derrick Michael Holmes on ‘Godzilla vs. Biollante’!
Derrick Michael Holmes (1958-2012) is known to Godzilla fans around the world as Biomajor spy Michael Low in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989). But before he ever appeared in a Godzilla film, Mr. Holmes came to Japan in 1979 and worked as a dancer and DJ and later as a model. Mr. Holmes’ acting career began … Continue reading BIOMAJOR’S BEST! Derrick Michael Holmes on ‘Godzilla vs. Biollante’!
GODZILLA GETS TENURE! Actor Ronald Hoerr on His Professorial Roles in the Heisei Series!
Ronald Hoerr came to Japan in the 1960s with no ambition to become an actor, but he found himself working full-time as a TV and movie performer by the late 1980s and early '90s. Following his transition into the entertainment industry, Mr. Hoerr appeared in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) as Professor Alexander Mammilov and Godzilla … Continue reading GODZILLA GETS TENURE! Actor Ronald Hoerr on His Professorial Roles in the Heisei Series!
MEMOIRS OF THE HUMAN VAPOR! James Hong on Dubbing Toho’s Sci-Fi Classics!
James Hong is an accomplished actor who has appeared in a number of critically acclaimed and highly successfully films in the last several decades. Among his better-known credits are: The Sand Pebbles (1966), Chinatown (1974), Blade Runner (1982), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Balls of Fury (2007), and Kung Fu Panda (2008). Mr. Hong made kaiju eiga … Continue reading MEMOIRS OF THE HUMAN VAPOR! James Hong on Dubbing Toho’s Sci-Fi Classics!
SHIP COMMANDER SPEAKS! Kent Gilbert Talks ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’!
Kent Gilbert, a native of the Mountain West, was born in Pocatello, Idaho, and grew up in Orem, Utah. He went on to study at Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, an MBA, and a law degree. While working as a lawyer in Tokyo, he obtained acting jobs in commercials and television … Continue reading SHIP COMMANDER SPEAKS! Kent Gilbert Talks ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’!
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 