by August » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:48 pm
I don't think it's possible that they used the same set, which would have to have been kept standing for a year. There's no logic or merit to such an assumption. Sets are struck right after productions wrap, because they need to go right into the next production.
After GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (1974) and before TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975), Toho made two other visual effects films, THE PROPHECIES OF NOSTRADAMUS and ESPY. The former was such a big scale production, that it would have required the use all of the visual effects soundstages at Toho.
Interestingly, while shooting NOSTRADAMUS, there was a pyrotechnics accident, which burned down part of the visual effects soundstage. Which was widely reported in Japan at the time. The fire destroyed a number of props in storage as well, include the original Mogera costume from THE MYSTERIANS (1957).
August Ragone
Showa GAMERA Special Features Producer
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