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!
Toho
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’!
SHOOTING THE ‘TIDAL WAVE’! Cinematographer Eric Saarinen Recounts Filming Roger Corman’s Japanese Adaptation!
Eric Saarinen started his feature film career at Roger Corman's New World Pictures as a second unit director of photography, but he quickly moved up the ranks and became a cinematographer on many notable films, including The Hills Have Eyes (1977), Modern Romance (1981), and Lost in America (1985). Japanese science fiction aficionados might recognize Mr. … Continue reading SHOOTING THE ‘TIDAL WAVE’! Cinematographer Eric Saarinen Recounts Filming Roger Corman’s Japanese Adaptation!
THE GRANDDADDY OF ‘EM ALL! Greg Shoemaker on the ‘Japanese Fantasy Film Journal’!
Greg Shoemaker (1947-2019), the founder and editor of the legendary Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, is often celebrated as the creator of Godzilla fandom in the United States. Published in 1968, JFFJ #1 was the first fanzine devoted to the genre of sci-fi and fantasy films from Japan, and many fans still regard it as the … Continue reading THE GRANDDADDY OF ‘EM ALL! Greg Shoemaker on the ‘Japanese Fantasy Film Journal’!
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT, AL? Cliff Harrington on His Japanese Movie Career!
American-born actor-writer-photographer Clifford V. Harrington (1932-2013) is most recognizable to aficionados of Japanese monster movies as King Kong vs. Godzilla's Al, the terrified helicopter co-pilot who doesn’t know “what to make of it” when Godzilla bursts out of the iceberg. While he’s best known for that role, Mr. Harrington also appeared as an extra in Mothra … Continue reading WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT, AL? Cliff Harrington on His Japanese Movie Career!
MEMORIES OF JAPAN’S MASTER MONSTER MAKER! Keizo Murase Shares the Secrets of the World’s Greatest Kaiju!
Born on October 5, 1935, in Ikeda, Tokachi, Hokkaido (where his family home still is), Keizo Murase is a veteran kaiju suitmaker who began his career at Toho in 1958, leaving an indelible mark on the genre with his work on Varan the Unbelievable (1958). From there, Mr. Murase also worked on Mothra (1961), Gorath … Continue reading MEMORIES OF JAPAN’S MASTER MONSTER MAKER! Keizo Murase Shares the Secrets of the World’s Greatest Kaiju!
CELEBRATING THE ‘HAPPY’ DAYS! Actor Yasuhiko Saijo Opens Up About ‘Ultra Q’ and Toho!
Yasuhiko Saijo (born on February 20, 1939) is a Japanese actor who began his career at Toho Studios in 1957. A graduate of Seijo University, Mr. Saijo played a major role in changing Japanese television when he was cast as one of the three leads in the groundbreaking TV series Ultra Q (1966), which went … Continue reading CELEBRATING THE ‘HAPPY’ DAYS! Actor Yasuhiko Saijo Opens Up About ‘Ultra Q’ and Toho!
TAKE THAT, YOU DINOSAUR! Jeff Berglund Remembers Godzilla and King Ghidorah!
Jeff Berglund appeared in 1991’s Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah as a World War II-era naval officer who exclaims the famous line, “Take that, you dinosaur!” once it seems that the Americans have killed the rampaging Godzillasaurus. Mr. Berglund was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, on April 6, 1949. He graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, … Continue reading TAKE THAT, YOU DINOSAUR! Jeff Berglund Remembers Godzilla and King Ghidorah!
MAJOR SPIELBERG SPEAKS! Daniel Kahl Recalls ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’!
The name Daniel Kahl may not register with many G-fans, but his memorable role in 1991’s Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah certainly does. In the film, Mr. Kahl played Major Spielberg, a naval officer during World War II, whose sighting of the Futurians’ time machine would inspire his son to change the cinematic world forever. Fifteen years … Continue reading MAJOR SPIELBERG SPEAKS! Daniel Kahl Recalls ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’!
Vantage Point Interviews 