by kpa » Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:07 pm
Heiseigodzilla425, I found some titles you may want to add to your list. A year or so back the new GM of Toho's LA office gave me a brochure of sci-fi/FX films Toho is offering for international sales. The brochure was made for worldwide buyers so it included some movies like RODAN and FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD that definitely already had US distribution, but it does provide some films that can go on the list...
INVISIBLE MAN (1954)
Never released in the US
THE SECRET OF THE TELEGIAN (1960)
Originally released in the US by Herts-Lion International Corp.
Current status unknown
SAMURAI PIRATE (1963)
Released in the US as THE LOST WORLD OF SINBAD by AIP
Current status unknown
THE ADVENTURES OF TAKLA MAKAN (1966)
Never released in the US
SUBMERSION OF JAPAN (1973)
Japanese version given limited release by New World Pictures
Wider release given to heavily edited, English dubbed TIDAL WAVE
Current status unknown
PROPHECIES OF NOSTRADAMUS (1974)
Released in the US by UPA as LAST DAYS OF PLANET EARTH
Classic Media did not renew rights; reverted to Toho
ESPY (1974)
Released in the US by UPA
Classic Media did not renew rights; reverted to Toho
CONFLAGRATION (1975)
Released in the US by UPA as HIGH SEAS HIJACK (edited with new scenes with Peter Graves)
Classic Media did not renew rights; reverted to Toho
MAGNITUDE 7.9 (1980)
Reportedly given limited US theatrical release as DEATHQUAKE
Current status unknown
SINKING OF JAPAN (2006)
Picked up by Tartan USA; rights returned to international rights owner TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) after Tartan USA closed
Most of the "current status unknown" films are most likely back with Toho, but I can't say that 100% the case.
In recent years, Toho has been co-producing a lot big films like the ALWAYS and 20th CENTURY BOYS series, MONKEY MAGIC, K-20: LEGEND OF THE MASK, PANDEMIC, IKIGAMI, etc that haven't been picked up for US distribution yet.
20th CENTURY BOYS and MONKEY MAGIC are both getting released on DVD in the UK. And VIZ Media is releasing the original manga for IKIGAMI and 20th CENTURY BOYS so they're strong possibilities for a US release in the not too distant future.
Keith