Authors: Loren Portillo, Sean Kotz
Photos courtesy of Loren Portillo

Ray Harryhausen, doing what he did best.

Ray Harryhausen, the pioneering filmmaker and special effects master of such classic films as THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, VALLEY OF GWANGI, and JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, passed away peacefully Tuesday May 7th in London England from an undisclosed illness. He was 92 years old.

With Ray Harryhausen’s passing came an instantaneous ritual litany of recognizable names testifying to his influence — Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson, James Cameron, to name a few. But by the same token, there was practically no real discussion of why he had that impact.

That’s predictable, really. For most people, this is just a news sidebar, including the legions of web-bound entertainment beat writers frantically culling fragmentary and unchecked sources to adopt a posture of authority for his impromptu obituary. Harryhausen is simply not familiar to most of the new breed of writers cluttering online news services and blogosphere. He outlived his career by 30 years, and for the bulk of the obit writers, his death detoured them from their real concerns, like whether Mylie Cyrus is hotter than Lindsey Lohan.

But, the simple fact that Harryhausen’s death resides largely on entertainment pages betrays how poorly his contributions are understood.
Continued…

Special Thanks to Toshio Miike and Oki Miyano

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Marking the anniversary of his death last year on February 19th, SciFi JAPAN TV pays tribute to one of the unsung heroes of Toho’s classic special effects films; art director Yasuyuki Inoue.

The late Mr Inoue’s art and miniatures helped shape the look of and feel of the entire tokusatsu genre, which has now endured for six decades. We have brought together many of his friends and colleagues to discuss Mr Inoue’s work and the life of the art staff at Toho Studios during Japan’s golden age of fantasy films.

We would like to extend our thanks to Toshio Miike, art director on the Heisei Godzilla and Gamera series, for his great efforts arranging and hosting this special episode of SciFi JAPAN TV.
Continued…

Ray animates a skeleton from SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD.
© 2012 Frenetic Arts

Bay Area Film Events Brings Ray Harryhausen Documentary to the Bal Theatre on September 8, 2012 For the U.S. Premiere.
Source: Bay Area Film Events
Special Thanks to Tony Dalton and Alexandre Poncet

From the original MIGHTY JOE YOUNG to George Pal’s PUPPETOONS in the 1940s to monster on the loose films of the 1950s such as BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS, 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH and IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA through amazing fantasy films including SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, the original CLASH OF THE TITANS and many more films, Ray Harryhausen has created images that occupy the dreams of most of today’s major special effects creators and have entertained audiences for generations.

The amazing stop motion effects that Ray produced have provided inspiration for many of today’s top producers, directors and special effects artists. These inspirations and Ray’s work are now chronicled in a brand new documentary from producer Alexandre Poncet and director Tony Dalton, RAY HARRYHAUSEN: SPECIAL EFFECTS TITAN. This is the definitive documentary about Ray Harryhausen. Aside from interviews with the great man himself, shot over five years, there are also interviews and tributes from Vanessa Harryhausen, Tony Dalton, Randy Cook, Peter Jackson, Nick Park, Phil Tippet, Peter Lord, Terry Gilliam, Dennis Muren, Rick Baker, John Landis, Ken Ralston, Guillermo Del Toro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and many more. For the first time Ray and the Foundation have provided unprecedented access to film all aspects of the collection including models, artwork and miniatures as well as Ray’s private study, where he designed most of his creations, and his workshop where he built them. In addition the documentary will use unseen footage of tests and experiments found during the clearance of the LA garage. Never before has so much visual material been used in any previous documentary about Ray. This definitive production will not only display a huge part of the unique collection but will illustrate the influence that Ray’s work has had on film makers during the past fifty or so years.
Continued…

KING KONG VS. GODZILLA comes to the Bal. ©1962
Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Bay Area Film Events
Bay Area Film Events on Facebook

Bay Area Film Events has been doing movie screenings and film festivals throughout Northern California since 2004. Over the years, BAFE has done shows and events based on everything from Godzilla to Ultraman to James Bond, The Beatles, Halloween shows, CREATURE FEATURES tributes, movie nights at San Francisco Giants baseball games and much more.

In 2004, BAFE brought GODZILLAFEST to the Castro Theatre in San Francisco to celebrate Godzilla’s 50th anniversary. Screening 20 films in 7 days and bringing in a stellar line up of guests, including Akira Kubo, Hiroshi Koizumi, Russ Tamblyn, Jerry Ito, Ed Keane and Godzilla suit actor Tsutomu Kitagawa.

After doing shows at the Castro, Auctions by the Bay in Alameda, the Del Mar in Santa Cruz, the Crest in Sacramento, the Hyatt Cinema in Burlingame, the Cerrito Theater in El Cerrito, the Grand Lake in Oakland and more, for the last year BAFE has been concentrating on building audience awareness of the Bal Theatre in San Leandro, CA.

Having done shows there on THE MUNSTERS, THE THREE STOOGES and more, it is time to turn attention back to Godzilla, for the 50th anniversary of arguably the most popular of all the Godzilla films, KING KONG VS. GODZILLA.
Continued…

Beloved Toho FX Artist Has Died
Special Thanks to Steve Ryfle, Oki Miyano and Ed Godziszewski

Yasuyuki Inoue with the screenplay for GODZILLA. Photo
courtesy of Ed Godziszewski.

The Japanese special effects community lost one of its true legends with the passing of Yasuyuki ‘Taiko’ Inoue on February 19th. He was 89 years old.

In 1954, Inoue was recruited by Toho to create blueprints and build the many of the miniature sets for GODZILLA (ゴジラ, Gojira). He became the head of Toho’s Special Effects Art Department and worked on nearly all of Toho’s science fiction, fantasy and FX pictures for the next three decades.

Yasuyuki Inoue was a personal friend of the SciFi Japan crew, and we are working on a tribute to run on this site in the next few days. But we thought it would be fitting to first present a look back at Mr Inoue’s career through his own words. In June 2004, he and Akinori Takagi — known as one of the most talented model engineers at Toho — were special guests of the American Cinematheque’s week-long “Godzilla 50th Anniversary” film festival in Hollywood, CA. Steve Ryfle and Oki Miyano interviewed the pair at length for a series of Q&As during the festival, and Yasyuki Inoue and Akinori Takagi provided details and anecdotes that offer some rare insight into working on Toho FX films during the studio’s Golden Age.
Continued…

Jim Danforth with a jewel dragon from THE WONDERFUL WORLDS OF THE
BROTHERS GRIMM. Photo courtesy of Loren Portillo.

Dinosaurs, Dragons, & Drama—The Odyssey of a Trickfilmmaker—Volume One —An Illustrated Memoir by Jim Danforth.
Author: Loren Portillo
Special Thanks to: Ernest Farino
Official Website: Archive Editions

One of the most anticipated Book/CD on stop motion animation, and the incredible career of special effects genius Jim Danforth, will finally be made available to the public this month, on November 13 2011.

To stop motion fans the world over, this memoir (Vol 1) will cover Jim’s career from his humble beginnings as young artistic teenager, to his work with Art Clokey on the famed GUMBY series. This book also will cover Jim’s early film work such as JACK THE GIANT KILLER and end with his work on WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH. Lavishly produced, the book has an incredible array of never before published photographs from Jim’s personal collection. This is a must have for all stop motion aficionados, as well as those who appreciate the artistic genius of one of the greatest Special Effects men ever.
Continued…

Author Sakyo Komatsu’s novels were adapted into several popular Japanese films. SUBMERSION OF JAPAN and ESPY © Toho Co., Ltd.
VIRUS © 1980 Haruki Kadokawa Films. SINKING OF JAPAN © 2006 “Sinking of Japan” Production Committee

Prolific Sci-Fi Author Passes Away at Age 80
Authors: Andrew Nguyen and Keith Aiken
Source: Nippon 2007, Science Fiction Studies, Mainichi Daily News, various

Sakyo Komatsu, the “King of Japanese SF”.

Japan’s science-fiction community lost one of its grand figures recently with the passing of Sakyo Komatsu on July 26, 2011 from pneumonia.

Born January 28, 1931 in Osaka, Komatsu graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in Italian Literature in 1954. In 1961 he entered the Hayakawa Science Fiction Competition, a story contest co-sponsored by Hayakawa Library, publisher of SF Magazine (SF Magajin), and the Toho Motion Picture Company. He received an Honorable Mention and 5000 yen for his entry Peace on Earth (Chi-ni Heiwa), a World War II story set in an alternate timeline where Japan did not surrender in the wake of the atomic bombings. The next year, Komatsu won the contest with his story Memoirs of an Eccentric Time Traveler (Ekisentoriki), which was published in SF Magazine.

Sakyo Komatsu soon became one of Japan’s most prolific and popular science fiction writers. His most famous novel was Japan Sinks (Nihon Chinbotsu), in which the shifting of the tectonic plates resulted in earthquakes across the entire nation and causes all of Japan to crumble into the sea. The book was published in March, 1973 and was a massive hit, selling over 4 million copies in Japan alone.
Continued…

The shoulder to shoulder crowds of Wonderfest. Photo courtesy of Clawmark Toys.

Clawmark Does Wonderfest
Author: Tom Dougherty, Clawmark Toys

WONDERFEST! The name says it all! I have had the good fortune to experience many Japanese Toy and Model shows in both Osaka and Tokyo over the years, but nothing quite compares to Wonderfest. An enormous event like Wonderfest is of course held in the enormous complex called Makhuhari Messe. I only had to ride a train for about two and a half hours through Tokyo and past Disneyland to arrive at the station and begin the walk.
Continued…

An Interview with Producer/Director Tom Wyrsch
Author: Bob Johnson
Official Website: Garfield Lane Productions

Poster for BACK TO SPACE-CON, an all-new documentary.

People growing up across the country have their own local nostalgia that stays with them a lifetime, embedded in their memories along with other old friends and experiences. Horror hosts, amusement parks, local attractions… some areas are or were overflowing with them, each a unique brand representing the cities and towns they originated from.

Most lie only in people’s memories. Long gone, torn down. Making way for more modern attractions like strip malls and business parks.

In the San Francisco Bay Area we had a rich history of parks, attractions and our fair share of horror hosts. However, far from distant memories, they are being kept alive and well documented by local fan turned producer/director Tom Wyrsch.

His latest film BACK TO SPACE-CON is a look back at a series of STAR TREK/Sci Fi conventions that took place in the 1970s when cons were plentiful and mostly put together through grass-roots efforts, rather than corporate machines charging top dollar for a simple autograph.

In honor of this tradition, Tom is premiering the film on March 12 at Auctions by the Bay in Alameda, California as part of a mini Space-Con like convention. We caught up with Tom to talk to him about his films, our memories and how he keeps nostalgia alive and well.
Continued…

Memorial card for Shunsuke Ikeda, star of the 1973 Toei superhero show KIKAIDA 01. Photo courtesy of Tetsu Shiota.
© 1972 Ishimori Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

Memorial Service in Hawaii for KIKAIDA 01 Star
Source: Anime Jungle, Generation Kikaida
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota, Daisuke Ishizuka, Joanne Ninomiya and Scott Shinsato

Front page of the schedule for the Shunsuke Ikeda
memorial service. Photo courtesy of Tetsu Shiota.

On November 11th, family and friends gathered at Diamond Head, Hawaii to bid a final farewell to actor Shunsuke Ikeda, who died this past June after a long battle with stomach cancer. Ikeda had appeared in a number of television dramas and FX shows during the 1960s and 70s and is best remembered for his starring role in the popular superhero series KIKAIDA 01 (1973).

Ikeda had loved Hawaii so deeply that he wished to have his ashes scattered there. At 10:30am on what would have been his 70th birthday, his ashes were scattered at sea. A memorial service was held that same day at the Blaisdell Center. Ikeda’s fellow KIKAIDA Ban Daisuke, Joanne Ninomiya of JN Productions, Koji Shiota of Anime Jungle, Steven Fong of Shirokiya Inc., Bert Shibuya of Generation Kikaida Fans, and the Ikeda Family were among the guests who shared their stories and memories of Shunsuke Ikeda. Governor Linda Lingle sent a message to Generation Kikaida and the Ikeda Family, while Mayor Peter Carlisle and Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares designated the date as “Ikeda Shunsuke Day”.
Continued…

The Yamato prepares for launch in a massive SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO movie display at the TBS Broadcasting Center in Akasaka, Tokyo.
Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

Franchise Creator Dies as New Movie Premieres
Author: Bob Johnson
Official Site: yamato-movie.net
Special Thanks to Tokyo Broadcasting System and Daisuke Ishizuka

Cover for the November 6th Daily Variety, advertising the
world premiere of the live action SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO.
© 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee. © 2010
Variety

On Saturday November 6th, the feature film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (Uchu Senkan Yamato, 2010)— the latest incarnation of the classic YAMATO saga— had its world premiere screening for potential buyers and guests at the American Film Market (AFM) tradeshow in Santa Monica, CA. Directed by the popular Takashi Yamazaki (RETURNER, the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET films), the new live action adaptation does for SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO what JJ Abrams’ update of STAR TREK did last year; launch a long-running franchise to new levels and new audiences.

The AFM screening of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO was hosted by the film’s international sales agent, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). Among TBS’ invited guests were reps from multiple film studios and distributors, a reporter for Variety Japan, VIZ Pictures associate Erik Jansen, Tim Eldred of Starblazers.com, and the editors of SciFi Japan.

But, in one of life’s tragic ironies, on the day the attendees were sitting in the Criterion 2 theater marveling at the new movie, 75 year old SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO producer and co-creator Yoshinobu Nishizaki died near the Ogasawara Islands off the coast of Japan.

Please join SciFi Japan as we honor Nishizaki’s legacy and offer an early look at his latest achievement.
Continued…

Ryo Ikebe (lower right) in an incredible piece of publicity art for Ishiro Honda’s GORATH. © 1962 Toho Co., Ltd.

Toho Leading Man Dies at 92
Author: Ed Godziszewski
Source: Variety, Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan
Special Thanks to Daisuke Ishizuka, Stuart Galbraith IV, Mark Schilling, and Georges Baumgartner

Ryo Ikebe in a publicity shot for THE DECOY. © 1957 Toho Co.,
Ltd.

Ryo Ikebe, well-known to fans of Japanese science fiction and fantasy film, died in Tokyo at 1:55pm on October 8, 2010 from complications of blood poisoning at the age of 92. Born on February 11, 1918 to painter and comic artist Hitoshi Ikebe, he graduated from Rikkyu University and started out his film career in 1940 as a screenwriter at Toho, with his ultimate ambition to be a director. However, his handsome good looks were noticed by director Yasujiro Shimazu who suggested Ikebe try performing in front of the camera, and he made his acting debut in 1941’s FIGHTING FISH (Togyo).

Shortly after his debut, Ikebe was drafted into the military and served nearly 5 years in China as an officer. Upon his return to Japan after the war, Ikebe’s acting career resumed, initially taking on several leading roles for director Kajiro Yamamoto. He quickly established himself as a top star and worked with a virtual hall-of-fame roll call of directors… Yasujiro Ozu, Mikio Naruse, Kon Ichikawa, Tadashi Imai, Masahiro Shinoda, Shiro Toyoda.
Continued…

Three of the amazing works created by anime director Satoshi Kon. MILLENNIUM ACTRESS image courtesy of The Associates. © 2001 Chiyoko Committee.
TOKYO GODFATHERS courtesy of Sony Pictures. © 2003 Satoshi Kon, Madhouse and Tokyo Godfathers Committee. PARANOIA AGENT courtesy of The
Associates. © 2004 Satoshi Kon • Madhouse / Paranoia Agent Committee.

Internationally Acclaimed Anime Director has Died
Author: Kyle Byrd
Source: Tokyo Shimbun, Anime News Network, Polymetrica, Sony Pictures Classics, The Associates, various

Satoshi Kon died this past Tuesday.

On Tuesday, August 24, renowned anime director Satoshi Kon passed away from pancreatic cancer at the young age of 46. Along with films like Katsuhiro Otomo’s AKIRA (1988) and Mamorou Oshi’s GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995), Kon’s films such as PERFECT BLUE (1997) and PAPRIKA (2006) helped popularize mature-themed Japanese animation in the United States by showing the West that animated films didn’t have to be for children. Kon’s films were often subversive, complex, and surreal examinations of the human condition, and he would prove to be an influence on filmmakers the world over.
Continued…

Author: Bob Johnson

Peter Fernandez at the 2008 premiere of SPEED RACER
during the Tribeca Film Festival.

On Thursday July 15, 2010, the television and movie industry lost one of its truly unsung heroes. Peter Fernandez passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 83. Although fans of international films and TV know his name and his contributions, Hollywood as a whole has passed over a little-known industry that made it possible to import many foreign efforts that we would have never otherwise seen.

The dubbing of international product was a thankless chore and an underpaid one in the 1960s and 1970s. However, Peter Fernandez was a tireless pioneer and turned out some of the most memorable and highest quality dub tracks of a generation.
Continued…

Legendary Voice Actor and Director Has Died
Source: Bill Winckler

Writer, director, and voice actor Peter Fernandez died today.

SciFi Japan was just informed that Peter Fernandez passed away this morning from lung cancer. Long acknowledged as one of the best in the business, Fernandez was a voice actor and dubbing director for the American versions of dozens of films and television series… his long list of credits include such favorites as ULTRAMAN, ASTRO BOY, GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER, THE SPACE GIANTS, SON OF GODZILLA, GIGANTOR, STAR BLAZERS, the Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns… and even a “clean version” of George Romero’s DAY OF THE DEAD. He may be best known for his work on SPEED RACER, in which he voiced both Speed and Racer X and also wrote the English lyrics for the show’s theme song.

Our condolences to Peter’s family and friends. SciFi Japan will be following with a full tribute soon, but in the meantime please see our 2009 interview with Peter in which he discusses his life and career, and our overview of Peter’s work on SPEED RACER.

Legendary Special Effects Master Celebrates his 90th Birthday
Author: Loren Portillo
All photos courtesy of Loren Portillo

Ray Harryhausen poses the original MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, a movie
that launched his film career.

Stop motion animator and visual effects legend Ray Harrryhausen celebrates his 90th Birthday today June 29, 2010.

With a film career that has spanned approx forty years, fifteen feature films and various short subjects, Ray Harryhausen is a without question a living legend.

Ray’s illustrious career has been well documented over the years. His film credits include such classic titles THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, VALLEY OF GWANJI, ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. and THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS, which was a direct inspiration for the original 1954 Japanese film GOJIRA. After his 1981 film CLASH OF THE TITANS, Ray officially announced his retirement from the film Industry to concentrate on his own foundation, which helps preserve his animation puppets and sculpture work.
Continued…

Toei Hero Dies at Age 59
Author: Keith Aiken and Oki Miyano
Translations: Oki Miyano and Hiro Sono
Source: Yahoo Japan, various
Special Thanks to JR Lipartito

A recent photo of actor Yusuke Natsu.

SciFi Japan is sad to report the passing of actor Yusuke Natsu, one of the stars of the 1976 Toei Co., Ltd. television series SPACE IRONMEN KYODYNE (Uchu Tetsujin Kyodain), who died at a Tokyo hospital from stomach cancer on January 27th. He was 59 years old.

Besides KYODYNE, Natsu appeared in a number of television shows and movies from Toei, Nikkatsu, Toho, and other studios. A partial list of credits includes CHARGE! HUMAN!! (Totsugeki! Human!!, 1972), SWEET REVENGE (Kiri no Hata, 1977), NEVER GIVE UP (Yasei no Shomei, 1978), THE YAKUZA WIVES 2 (Gokudo no Onna-Tachi 2, 1987), and AFTERNOON WHEN FLOWERS FELL (Hana no Furu Gogo, 1989). He is best known for the TV drama SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION (Tokusou Saizensen, 1977), in which he co-starred with Hiroshi Fujioka of MASKED RIDER fame.

Fujioka only learned of his old friend’s illness shortly before Natsu’s death, when one of his acquaintances told him that Natsu had only a few days to live. On the 27th he told a reporter that, “Natsu’s serious attitude towards acting was impressive. He was still so young… I’ve lost my comrade.”
Continued…

SPECTREMAN Star Passes Away
Author: Bob Johnson
Additional Research and Translations: Daisuke Ishizuka
Source: Yahoo Japan, various
Special Thanks to Oki Miyano and Keith Aiken

Actor Tetsuo Narikawa prepares to transform into Spectreman.
©1971 P Productions.

2010 got off to a sad and shocking start with the loss of the star of one of Japan’s more unique superhero series. Actor Tetsuo Narikawa died of lung cancer on January 1 in Tokyo, Japan. He was 65 years old.

Narikawa is best known for his leading role as Joji Gamou (aka; George) in the P Productions TV series SPECTREMAN (Supekutoruman) from January 2, 1971 through March 25, 1972. After SPECTREMAN, he went on to guest star in a few other superhero series, notably LION MARU (Kaiketsu Raion-Maru, 1972) episodes 3 and 5, MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa, 1972) episode 63, ROBOT DETECTIVE (Robot Keiji, 1973) episode 25, and ULTRAMAN LEO (Urutoraman Leo, 1974) episode 36.
Continued…

Author: Sean Kotz
Official Website: Virginia Creepers Movie

Virginia Creepers lobby card. ©2009 Horse Archer Productions.

Like most Americans, my first exposure to Japanese science fiction was on television back in the day when local TV was an integral part of most people’s lives, primarily through my local TV horror hosts. It was those shows that gave me my love for films in general and horror and sci-fi in particular.

At Chesapeake’s Monster Fest in 2007, I had the privilege of moderating a panel comprised of several Virginia TV horror hosts, past and present. This was a very funny, very talented group of people… some of whom were still playing their characters after more than 30 years… who bore witness to more than 40 years of changes in television. I had grown up watching these guys (including Dr. Madblood’s first show in 1975) and was currently watching the newer hosts online, and on the heels of VAMPIRA: THE MOVIE and AMERICA SCARY, I suddenly became aware that this was the stuff of documentaries.
Continued…

Source: Bay Area Film Events

Bay Area Film Events, Creatures at Large, and The San Francisco Giants present Creature Features Night at AT&T Park on Saturday August 29, 2009!

During the 1970s and 1980s, KTVU Channel 2 in Oakland, California had a ratings-busting duo as they featured both the San Francisco Giants and CREATURE FEATURES. Now, both Bay Area legends are reuniting for one fright-filled night of baseball, zombies, and fun!

The batty evening begins with the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies as they continue this season’s battle for the Wild Card. Between innings, classic clips from CREATURE FEATURES will be shown featuring both Bob Wilkins and John Stanley.

After the game, fans can make their way onto the playing field for a special showing of the iconic horror film NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD on the HD scoreboard screen.

Also on the field will be our very special guests: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD star actress Judith O’Dea, and CREATURE FEATURES host John Stanley. Both Judith and John will be signing autographs and selling merchandise from both NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and CREATURE FEATURES.
Continued…

Bob Wilkins on the set of KTVU’s CREATURE FEATURES.

We have received the following message from the family of Bob Wilkins…

Fans of Bob Wilkins,

There will be a couple of fan tributes in March that you won’t want to miss.

SciFi Japan will provide details on the March fan tributes as soon as they become available.

CREATURE FEATURES host Bob Wilkins Passes Away
Author: Bob Johnson
Thanks to: Tom Wyrsch, Aaron Cooper, Butch Portillo and Damon Foster

CREATURE FEATURES host Bob Wilkins 4/11/32 – 1/7/09.

“Don’t stay up late, it’s not worth it,” Bob Wilkins warned as he would lean back in his yellow rocking chair, smoke wafting from his big cigar. But monster movie fans in Northern California stayed up with him every Saturday night anyway. From 1971 through 1979, Bob Wilkins brought the best and worst of fantasy, horror and science fiction to audiences throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, in the Sacramento Valley, and nationwide through KTVU’s status as a cable super station. His dry wit and deadpan humor won over audiences, and CREATURE FEATURES would often beat SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in the local ratings.

On January 7, 2009 Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area lost one of its most beloved television icons after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Continued…

Koichi Takano (standing, center) supervises the filming of Gomora for ULTRAMAN Episode 26, “The Imperial Monster”, in 1966. The talented producer and special
effects director passed away in November. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions.© 1966 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

Author: Bob Johnson and Brad Warner
Translations: Brad Warner
Special Thanks to James Ballard, Keith Aiken, Norman England, Shusuke Kaneko and Takeshi Yagi

Former Tsuburaya Productions managing director Koichi Takano passed away on November 30, 2008 at a hospital in the Tokyo metropolitan area at the age of 73 from emphysema.

Takano started as a cameraman at Toho on films like GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN before being invited by Eiji Tsuburaya to join Tsuburaya Productions in 1963. He worked on ULTRA Q then became a Director of Special Effects on ULTRAMAN. Takano would have a hand in most of TPC’s shows up through ULTRAMAN COSMOS in 2002.

SciFi Japan remembers Koichi Takano with a biography and filmography plus rare behind the scenes photos of Takano at work on various Tsuburaya shows. We’re also honored to present personal messages from Takano’s friends and co-workers Brad Warner, Shusuke Kaneko (director of GMK and DEATH NOTE), and Takeshi Yagi (director of the new movie SUPERIOR ULTRAMAN 8 BROTHERS).
Continued…

Mutsumi Toyoshima passed away last month. He designed such popular Toho mecha as the submarine Black Shark, the Maser Cannon, the Moonlight SY-3,
and the Super-X. Center photo by Ed Godziszewski. Toho images © 1966-1984 Toho Co., Ltd.

Top Toho Special Effects Designer has Died
Authors: Ed Godziszewski with Oki Miyano
Special Thanks to Yasuyuki Inoue

Mutsumi Toyoshima, widely regarded as one of the best production designers on Toho special effects movies from the 1960s through the 1980s, died November 17.

As a key member of Toho’s special effects art department, Toyoshima designed and created blueprints for many of the most famous vehicles, props, and machines seen in the studio’s monster, science fiction, and war films. Among his designs are the popular Maser Cannon (introduced in THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS in 1966), the Solgell Island silver iodide towers from SON OF GODZILLA (Gojira no Mosuko, 1967), the UN submarine Explorer from KING KONG ESCAPES (Kingu Kongu no Gyakushu, 1967), the Moonlight SY-3 from DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (Kaiju Soshingeki, 1968), the Black Shark from LATITUDE ZERO (Ido Zero Daisakusen,1969), and the Super-X from THE RETURN OF GODZILLA (Gojira, a.k.a. GODZILLA 1985, 1984).

SciFi Japan is honored to present a tribute to Mutsumi Toyoshima by Ed Godziszewski and Oki Miyano, who knew Mr. Toyoshima and had visited with him in recent years. The article includes photos and quotes from an unpublished interview conducted by Oki and Ed at Mr. Toyoshima’s home on August 13, 2004.
Continued…

Source: Classic Horror Film Board, various

Forry wearing Bela Lugosi’s DRACULA ring.

We’re sad to report that Forrest J Ackerman, founder of Famous Monsters of Filmland and inspiration to generations of monster fans and creators, has died.

From Forrest Ackerman’s friend and caregiver, Joe Moe:

“Dearest friends. At 11:58 last night. Thursday Dec. 4th. Forrest J Ackerman passed away quickly and peacefully. I am struggling to give you this information between bouts of profound grief of the sort that you will all be experiencing at the sight of this news. I will give you more details as I’m able. For now, trust me when I tell you he left us gently, in complete lucidity and with as much dignity as any of us could have wished for our beloved Uncle. Thanks for all of your support. We’ll talk again soon.
Love,
Joe Moe”
Continued…

Thanks and Best Wishes to the Ultimate Fan
Author: the SciFi Japan Staff

Forrest J Ackerman at home with many of his
movie props and collectibles.

Friends of Forrest J Ackerman have reported that “Uncle Forry” is in ill health. The 91 year-old is battling pneumonia and has also been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

“Legendary” is a word that gets tossed around much too often, but anyone who knows or has heard of Forry Ackerman would agree that in his case it absolutely fits. He is best known for the legendary (there it is again) magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland, but his impact extends far beyond FM…. the man has influenced literally generations of fans, artists, writers, and filmmakers. Forry has given an amazing gift to his fellow fans and will leave behind an incredible legacy.

Rather than remain in the hospital, Forry has chosen to return home where he can spend his days meeting with his legion of friends and fans. Forry’s friends, including caretaker Joe Moe, have stated that anyone wishing to stop by and pay their respects are welcome to visit. Cards and letters may also be sent to the same address:

FORREST J ACKERMAN
4511 Russell Ave
Los Angeles CA 90027

The staff of SciFi Japan are proud to be among the countless number inspired by Forrest Ackerman and Famous Monsters, and we encourage everyone who sees this report to follow Joe’s advice and call, write, or visit Forry and let him know how much he means to you and to fandom. We’re also pleased to share Sean Kotz’s look at the many accomplishments of FJA as well as reminiscences by many of our writers and contributors.
Continued…

Author and professor of East Asian Languages and
Literatures Keiko Iwai McDonald. Photo courtesy of
the Asian Studies Center of the University of
Pittsburgh and Doreen Hernandez, photographer.

Renowned Author and Professor of East Asian Languages and Literatures Has Passed Away
Author: Mike Walters
Special Thanks to Doreen Hernandez and the Asian Studies Center of the University of Pittsburgh

Keiko Iwai McDonald, professor of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh and an esteemed scholar of Japanese cinema, passed away following a fishing accident on September 14, 2008. She was 68 years old. Dr. McDonald authored eight books (including Cinema East: A Critical Study of Major Japanese Films, Mizoguchi, and Reading a Japanese Film: Cinema in Context) as well as more than forty articles and book chapters. She was also the recipient of a number of awards, such as the Asian Studies Teaching Excellence Award (1998), the Tina and David Bellet College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award (2002), and was three times named a Fulbright fellow. What follows is a personal remembrance from a former student.
Continued…

Creatures and Zombies Invade Santa Cruz in an Exclusive South Bay Premier!
Source: Bay Area Film Events

Event poster from Bay Area Film Events.

Santa Cruz, CA – October 23, 2008 – Bay Area Film Events proudly presents the exclusive South Bay premier of a new feature-length documentary on one of the most popular local shows in Bay Area television history, CREATURE FEATURES! Taking its title from the show’s famous catch-phrase, WATCH HORROR FILMS, KEEP AMERICA STRONG! A JOURNEY INTO CREATURE FEATURES looks back at the showcase of classic horror, science fiction, and monster movies.

Included in the evening’s events will also be the 40th anniversary screening of cult classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, a Zombie Fashion Show, special guests, displays, and more.
Continued…

Pianist Reiko Yamada

Reiko Yamada Plays Ifukube’s “Ritmica Ostinata”
Author: Ed Godziszewski
Japanese Giants

On the evening of March 28, 2008, a rare performance of one of Akira Ifukube’s classical works, “Ritmica Ostinata”, was held in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Seldom performed stateside, on this night Ifukube’s “Ritmica Ostinata” was tackled by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, featuring former Ifukube pupil Reiko Yamada as the orchestra’s principal pianist, as part of a program titled ‘Japanese Garden’.
Continued…

Dutch and Kevin Frederick with John Roberto (Center) from the June 2006
Chiller Theater Show, months before he was diagnosed with cancer. Photo
courtesy of John DeSentis.

Author: Robert Biondi and John “Dutch” DeSentis

On December 6, 2007, John Rocco Roberto died following a long battle with cancer. In the 1990s, John organized the first Godzilla conventions in the United States and headed Daikaiju Enterprises & Productions, which published the fanzine Kaiju-Fan and the late Guy Mariner Tucker’s book Age of the Gods: A History of the Japanese Fantasy Film. More recently, he maintained the Kaiju-Fan website.

In memory of his passing, his good friends John DeSentis and Robert Biondi have written about John’s life both inside and outside of fandom.
Continued…