Behind The Stomping: Baragon

[TitanoGoji16]

A woman is seen standing in the middle of a small room, facing the camera. She speaks.

"Hello, and welcome to Behind The Stomping. The goal of this series is to spread some light on the enigma that is daikaiju eiga, more commonly known as Japanese giant monster movies. It is unknown when the creatures known as kaiju came into existance, but the fact remainds that they became some of the greatest actors in science fiction cinema. Names like Godzilla, King Kong, and Gamera are all house-hold names, but what of the lesser kaiju? How many people do you know that would recognize names such as Gaira, Ganime, or Odako?"

She pauses for a second, then speaks again.

"For this, the first episode of Behind The Stomping, we will focus on a popular, yet misunderstood, daikaiju from the 1960s. Debuting in Toho's Furankenshutain tai chitei kaijû Baragon (1965), Baragon is a kaiju whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Tonight, we shall talk with Baragon's friends and family, directors and co-stars, and see if we can't discover more about Baragon's past."

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Narrator: "Baragon was born in Osaka in 1942. He was raised by loving parents, father Baragon, Sr. and mother Subterra. By the age of five, Baragon knew he wanted to be in show business. Unfortunately, this was still a time where kaiju weren't as integrated into society as they are today, and were somewhat looked down upon by humans. Of course, King Kong has starred in one of the greatest films of all time a decade prior, but he was a rare exception."

[Baragon is shown goofing around on some old home movies.]

Subterra: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Baragon: "Movie-man!"

Subterra: "You mean an actor?"

Baragon: "Movie-man!"

Narrator: "Baragon was an only child, but he didn't grow up alone. Baragon Sr.'s sister and her husband lived only a few blocks away from them, as did their son - Angilas."

[Cut to Angilas sitting in a large chair. A subtitle at the bottom of the screen reads, "Angilas - Cousin/Actor."]

Angilas: "Yeah, Bara and I are cousins. Little known fact, that. Man, I can barely remember our childhood. I remember we were the best of friends. I don't know of any cousins - kaiju or human - who were as close as us. Whenever we got together, we'd always play the classics - Cops & Robbers, Hide & Seek, Destroy Humanity - you know, the usual."

Narrator: "Yes, Baragon and Angilas were inseperable. Much to Baragon's delight, Angilas shared his vision of becoming an actor."

[Cut to another kaiju, an old, silvery insectoid-like creature. "Mantris - Family Friend."]

Mantris: "I remember those two rascals. They were always putting on plays in their backyards for their parents and friends, and were always applauded. You'd think they were glued at the hip or something. Then... then IT happened."

Narrator: "Angilas got a job at Toho Studios. It was a lowly job - coffee boy - but nevertheless, Angilas became the pride and joy of his family."

Angilas: "It was like a dream come true for me. It was as close to my dream as I figured I'd get. It wasn't an actor, but hell, at the time, I didn't care if I was a janitor, so long as I worked at Toho. I remember getting some strange glares by others there - not many kaiju worked at Toho, and all that did were behind-the-scenes."

Narrator: "This development had some adverse effects on Angilas' relationship with Baragon, who had yet to achieve much of anything. No matter what he did, Baragon could not catch a break."

Angilas: "I think it was when I got my job at Toho that Baragon began to resent me."

Narrator: "The year was 1954. Inspired by the giant monster movies that had been made in the United States, Toho decided to respond with one of their own. Thus, the hunt for their own 'King Kong' went underway. Upon hearing this news, Baragon rushed to Toho. He was one of the first kaiju to audition. Unfortunately, he was also one of the first kaiju to be rejected."

[Cut to some old archive footage of Tomoyuki Tanaka. "Tomoyuki Tanaka - Series Producer."]

Tomoyuki Tanaka: "I remember Baragon's audition... it was good, one of the better ones we had. Ultimately, he just wasn't what we were looking for. His appearance was one factor. We wanted something fierce-looking, that would strike terror in men's hearts. Those ears... another thing was the aura he gave. While he tried to give the performance of an evil kaiju, it was more of a scared animal, like a wild bear in a city. We were looking for an unholy terror, an unstoppable jaggernaut. Unfortunately, we didn't find it in Baragon."

Angilas: "Yeah, I auditioned. They said I gave a great performance, but that a quadraped kaiju simply wouldn't work for their film."

Narrator: "Three days after Baragon's failed audition, Toho found the kaiju they were looking for."

[Footage from Gojira (1954) is played: Godzilla peaking over the hill on Odo Island, Godzilla chewing on the train and tossing it aside, and Godzilla being attacked by the fighter jets in Tokyo Bay.]

[Cut to Godzilla in a chair. "Godzilla - Actor."]

Godzilla: "Oh, man... what a rush! I starred in one of the greatest Japanese films of all time! I mean, it woulda been great had I simply had a small role in a movie like that. But I was the star! And what a star, I've got 27 movies under my belt. Beat that, Kong!"

Narrator: "Baragon was down, but not out. He continued to look for work, but aside from a few minor roles in theater, came up short. When Toho announced that they would be making a sequel to their smash hit Gojira, this time with a second kaiju, Baragon thought that his time had finally come. He auditioned once more at Toho Studios. Near the end of the auditioning process, it was down between Baragon and another kaiju - a tusked turtle known as Gamera."

[Cut to Gamera in his home. "Gamera - Actor."]

Gamera: "I came THIS close to fighting Godzilla! If I hadn't gone and broken my leg... oh, well. I'm certainly not complaining. If I had to choose between getting my own series, or being the guy who gets his throat ripped out, the choice is obvious. But still... I can't help but imagine the two of us going at it."

Narrator: "With Gamera out of the way, Baragon seemed to be guaranteed the role of Godzilla's enemy. But, once again, it was not to be."

Angilas: "It was the very last day of the auditions. For some reason or another, I hadn't yet had a chance to audition. But finally, I got a chance, and got there just as they were leaving. I begged them to stay long enough to see what I had, and for some reason, they did. And I swept them off their feet! They said I would be perfect as the first daikaiju to challenge the King of the Monsters. I'd hate to think what would've happened had I been even a minute late."

Narrator: "While Angilas was ecstatic over his getting the part, Baragon had no idea about what had happened. On the first day of filming, he showed up on the set, only to have Tomoyuki Tanaka take him aside."

[Cut to archive footage of Masaru Sato in his home. "Masaru Sato - Composer."]

Masaru Sato: "I was a few feet away when Tanaka took Baragon aside and explained to him that he no longer had the part. The result was disasterous. Baragon flew apart immediately, cursing and swearing at Tanaka. Security guards were called to escort him off the set, and eventually even Godzilla had to lend a hand. Just when we thought it was over, an orange blast nearly singed Tanaka's head. Baragon had apparently taken a shot at him before he disappeared from sight. It's still a terrible event to recall."

Narrator: "That ended Baragon's presence in show business for quite some time. But he soon found something to distract himself from show business - a lovely woman named Naoko Hazumi."

[Cut to a woman in a chair. "Akane Hazumi - Naoko's Sister."]

Akane Hazumi: "I remember Baragon. He was something. I joined him and my sister for dinner once or twice. He was a nice fellow, but seemed rather distant. I think the incident with losing his role in Gojira no gyakushu was very upsetting for him, moreso than even he'd admit."

Angilas: "I really felt sorry for him. I began feeling guilty, wondering if I should've auditioned. I knew it wasn't truly my fault - after all, I hadn't commanded Toho to pick me over him - but I still felt bad. I tried cheering him up in any way I could, but he wouldn't have any of it. Whenever we talked he seemed cold. Bitter. After a while, I simply gave up."

Narrator: "Despite the obvious strain on their relationship due to Baragon's lack of work, Baragon and Naoko courted for a few years. During this time, quite a few more daikaiju eiga were released from Toho: Sora no daikaijû Radon (1956), Varan (1958), and Mosura (1961). As much as it pained him, Baragon knew better than to try to audition for any kaiju films at Toho, thanks to his outburst against Tomoyuki Tanaka, at least at the time. When Godzilla returned in Kingukongu tai Gojira (1962) and Mosura tai Gojira (1964), Baragon avoided the theaters altogether. However, soon after the release of San daikaijû: Chikyu saidai no kessen (1964), Baragon received a call from Toho Studios. It was the call he had been waiting for all his life."

Angilas: "Bara was absolutely ecstatic. He called me up shrieking like an excited school girl, screaming “I got a part! I got a part in a Toho kaiju movie!â€

[TitanoGoji16]

Narrator: "Indeed, Baragon was quickly becoming one of the top kaiju stars in Japan. He made appearances across Japan along with various other Toho kaiju such as Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah. But before a year had passed, Baragon was once again looking for work. Though Toho had no part for him in their current kaiju film, Furankenshutain no kaijû: Sanda tai Gaira (1966), he was soon contacted by another studio: Tsuburaya."

[Footage from "Ultraman" (1966) is shown: Hayata transforming into Ultraman, Ultraman battling Red King, Ultraman battling Gomora.]

[Cut to Ultraman in a chair. "Ultraman - Actor."]

Ultraman: "Ah, yes, I remember Baragon, I remember him quite well. One of Toho's rising stars, he was. It was quite fun, working with him. Despite popular belief, he did not play Pagos in "Ultra Q." I told Baragon I loved his performance as Pagos, and I was shocked when he told me that wasn't him."

Godzilla: "I remember playing Gomess in that one episode of "Ultra Q," that was pretty fun. I was contracted to play one other monster later on in "Ultraman," and I suggested they give one of the other Toho kaiju a try. They asked who, and I had to think for a while. Honestly, I couldn't see Rodan, Mothra, or Ghidorah as an Ultra kaiju, and Angilas was busy doing something over in America, I think. So I suggested they give Baragon a call."

Narrator: "Baragon's first role on "Ultraman" was Neronga. Baragon had so much fun playing Neronga he decided to make another appearance on "Ultraman". His next role was Magura, followed by the flower-necked Gabora. Soon, he recieved some wonderful news."

Angilas: "The film was called Kaijû sôshingeki, more popularly known as Destroy All Monsters. Everyone was gonna be in it. Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Baragon, Manda, myself... If you were from Toho, it was pretty much a given you were in this movie."

[Cut to Rodan in his home. "Rodan - Actor."]

Rodan: "There were only a select few that weren't in this movie, and for various reasons. Magma was pretty useless, as was Ebirah, and Kamacuras can't pose much of a threat to anyone. Dogora was going to be in it, but had a family emergency and had to pull out at the last minute. Sanda had no real interest in the idea, and I don't think Toho could actually get a hold of Gaira. I remember Tsuburaya said he wanted Odako to be in it, but Tanaka put his foot down. I believe the exact words were: “I don't want a film where King Ghidorah fights calamari.â€

[TitanoGoji16]

Narrator: "Indeed, after assaulting Mechagodzilla, Baragon was pretty much through at Toho. Nonplussed, he tried finding work at other studios. Unfortunately, everyone had heard of Baragon's episodes, and wanted nothing to do with him."

Godzilla: "He tried getting a regular job at Tsuburaya, playing Ultra kaiju, but they kicked him out fast enough to make Ghidorah's heads spin. The Sentai series had just started, but Toei, too, wanted nothing to do with him, afraid that he'd sabotage their "Goranger." And Daiei was bankrupt by that point, so they were out. I really felt for the guy, but it was his own damn fault."

Narrator: "Soon, it became a dark time for the kaiju genre. The Godzilla and Gamera series were at an end, and Ultraman had also taken a hiatus. Many kaiju were out of jobs, and the few that could find work in show business had to fit to the look of such shows as Super Sentai and Kamen Rider, a look not every kaiju had. While the bigger stars, such as Godzilla, Rodan, and Gamera were in no danger, smaller celebrities, like Baragon, were in trouble."

[Cut to Mothra in her home. "Mothra - Actress."]

Mothra: "I had heard that Baragon locked himself up in his house and would not come out. I think it's safe to say that he was ashamed at his previous actions."

Angilas: "I hadn't heard from Bara since the Mechagodzilla incident. Then, out of nowhere, I got a call from him in '81. He said he was in Hong Kong, and he had a job. Apparently he was acting as fight choreographer for some martial arts movie. He asked if I could fly out there and meet him. I wasn't doing anything at the time, so I agreed. My God, you would not believe the difference! He was no longer the reclusive, bitter drunk he had once been! He was more like the Bara I had grown up with, oh so long ago. He seemed genuinely happy, and was really enjoying his work on the movie. I asked him why he had come to Hong Kong, and he told me that after a long while of drowning his sorrows in saki, he lost his heat ray due to it. It was the loss of his beam that made him wake up. He had almost immediately quit drinking, and realized he needed to change. He wanted to find a job, but knew nobody in Japan would hire him, and so he travelled to China before finding his job in Hong Kong. I asked him if he'd be coming home after he was done, but he said no. He said he would come home eventually, but he wasn't quite ready yet to return. I understood, and a couple of days later, I returned to Japan."

Narrator: "Yes, Baragon had completely reformed. He was a new kaiju, and was finally getting back on track with his life. Soon, it was 1984, and Toho announced their latest project: Gojira (1984)."

Godzilla: "Yep, I was back! And what a film! Gone where the days of riding my tail, and using my breath to fly! I was now getting respect I hadn't gotten since Mosura tai Gojira, if not the original Gojira itself. I was once again the jaggernaut of death and destruction, here to warn mankind of nuclear horror. It was great."

King Ghidorah (middle head): "Godzilla's return was great news! It meant that Toho was wanting to do kaiju eiga again! They even held a big publicity event with all the old gang!"

Rodan: "It was great, nearly the whole gang was there - Ghidorah, Mothra, Angilas, myself, Mechagodzilla, Gorosaurus, Hedorah, Gigan, Megalon, Titanosaurus, Ebirah, Varan, Jet Jaguar, and of course, Godzilla. Of course... there was one noticable absence."

Angilas: "Bara was still in Hong Kong, I guess. I missed him... but I knew he needed to take his time."

Narrator: "The year was 1992. Gojira tai Biorante (1989) and Gojira tai Kingugidora (1991) had both been released, and the Godzilla series was back in full-force. And with the return of King Ghidorah, suddenly the entire industry was abuzz, wondering which kaiju from the original series was going to return next. Mothra was already coming back to star in a remake of her 1964 fight against Godzilla, along with her stepbrother, Battra, in Gojira tai Mosura."

Mothra: "It was wonderful coming back to work with Godzilla, to be precise, back to work at all. While I had done a few minor things here and there, my last major role was Kaijû sôshingeki! I like to work a bit more often than that!"

[Cut to Sayaka Osawa in her home. "Sayaka Osawa - Actress."]

Sayaka Osawa: "It was a great first gig. To appear in a movie with Godzilla and Mothra - wow. It was really a privilege for me to star in that movie, let alone come back later for Gojira tai Desutoroia."

Narrator: "The next year came, and Toho announced their latest film would feature the return of Mechagodzilla and Rodan. It was then that Baragon made his presence in Japan known."

Angilas: "He just showed up on my doorstep one day. I guess his house had been torn down while he was gone, and he needed a place to stay. I of course let him stay with me until he could get a new place. He got a few minor jobs here and there, he even did a few commercials. When each new Godzilla movie was released, he actually wanted to go see them, and so we watched each one as it came out."

Narrator: "Eventually, the second Godzilla series had come to an end with it's seventh film, Gojira tai Desutoroia (1995)."

Godzilla: "It was a big event, naturally. A lot of Japan's biggest stars, human and kaiju alike, were there. A lot of people were congratulating me on my performance, when he walked up to me. Baragon was silent for a few moments, as was I. Finally, he extended his hand. I shook it, and he said, “Great film, Goji-san.â€