The Win of "Godzilla Minus One"

 

"Congratulations to Coach Yamato and all the white team 🎉

Very happy to see 70 years.

I'm sure my sister and dad are surprised.

You're saying, "See you Godzilla."" - Sonoe Nakajima, daughter of suit-actor Haruo Nakajima.*

It took 70 years, but Godzilla finally got some respect in special effects.

The win of Godzilla Minus One for Best Special Effects last night at the Academy Awards had many Godzilla fans in tears of joy when the winner was announced. Fans were just as pleased when the movie was even nominated, but the win was much more than the icing on the cake. 

Godzilla movies from Toho were often laughed at, although entertaining, during the man-in-the-suit with miniatures years. Toho shifted gears and joined the U.S. in using CGI. That has paid off in spades as last night's Academy Awards has shown.

Although Toho's Godzilla is now being animated with computers, I was even more impressed with the recreations of Tokyo of the 1940s. Apparently, Academy members agreed. Taken as a whole, the special effects were astounding considering the $15 million total movie budget and only 35 members on the special effects team.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

The King of Monsters finally has his share of Oscars glory.

In an ironic triumph of small over large, Japanese monster movie sensation Godzilla Minus One — which was made for only about $15 million — beat out four big-budget Hollywood tentpoles to win the best visual effects category. It’s the first time in decades that a non-U.S. studio film has won the category. Despite its deep influence on the history of visual effects in cinema, this year was the first time in the Godzilla franchise’s seven-decade history that it was nominated for an Oscar.

Godzilla Minus One was written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, who also headed up the film’s VFX team, which included Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima. The team is now Japan’s first-ever winner of the best visual effects Oscar. In another rarity, a director winning the category has only occurred once before — Stanley Kubrick’s win in 1969 for 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Godzilla Minus One has been a critical and commercial sensation, earning $56.4 million in the U.S. and Canada to become the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. Only two international live-action movies — fellow Oscar winners Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Life Is Beautiful —  earned more in North America.

Many fans exclaimed, "I never thought I would live to see this day." I would have to agree, especially since I am the same age as Godzilla since we both arrived on the scene in 1954.

To read more, go here.

*I think Sonoe Nakajima meant Coach Yamazaki and the translation goofed it up.

Remembering Haruo Nakajima Three Years Later

Above, Haruo Nakajima poses with the Godzilla suit during filming of Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster. Toho Pictures photo.

Have you ever noticed that after someone dies, be it a friend, family member or just and acquaintance, time seems to accelerate? It doesn't really, but it seems that it does.

Incredibly as it seems, today marks three years since the passing of Haruo Nakajima, the Godzilla suit actor from the original 1954 movie to Godzilla vs. Gigan, at age 88.

Above, Richard Pusateri, Haruo Nakajima and Armand Vaquer at the 2001
Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

I first met Mr. Nakajima back in 2000 at G-FEST 2000 in Hollywood. I next saw him at the premiere of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival.

Above, Armand Vaquer and Haruo Nakajima at the 2013 Mad Monster Party. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Mr. Nakajima passed away from complications of pneumonia in Japan on August 7, 2017. His daughter, Sonoe, was honored last year at G-FEST for her devoted assistance to her father during his many convention appearances over the years.

If you can spare a moment, it would be a nice gesture to raise a glass in a toast to honor Haruo Nakajima.

Remembering Haruo Nakajima On The Second Anniversary

Above, Sonoe and Haruo Nakajima at the 2013 Mad Monster Party. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like a slash of a knife, the thing that struck me the most at last month's G-FEST was seeing Sonoe Nakajima, daughter of Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima, without him. That drove home his passing.

Six years ago, I served as "wrangler" for the Nakajimas at the Mad Monster Party convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although I met them years ago, I was really able to observe how he interacted with the fans at his autograph table. And, I was able to observe first hand at what a big asset Sonoe was to him when she assisted him. She made his convention appearance much easier for him, given his age. He genuinely showed his love for his fans and they, in turn, loved him. He had to have been one of the sweetest celebrities towards his fans I've ever seen.

She had been doing this for the past decade at conventions in the U.S. and around the world. She was recognized for her service at G-FEST with a G-FAN Hall of Fame Award. It was well-deserved. While receiving the award, she was overcome with emotion. There was hardly a dry eye in the hall by those present. This post also pays tribute to her.

Above, David Nunes presenting the G-FAN Hall of Fame Award to Sonoe Nakajima. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It should be a comfort to Sonoe that the fans share her loss.

Earlier, when I stopped by her table at G-FEST to say hello, I suddenly developed a "big baseball in my throat". I think she knew that I was about to lose it.

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of Haruo Nakajima's passing. Seeing the tributes online is a great indicator of how much he meant to the fans and how much he is missed.

In tribute to Haruo Nakajima, raise a glass in a toast to his memory today.

G-FEST XXVI Awards

A G-FEST wouldn't be complete without an awards ceremony for the guests (and others).

Awards included "G-FAN Hall of Fame", "Lifetime Achievement" and the "Mangled Skyscraper Award". These were awarded on Sunday morning.

Here's a sampling:

Above, it was an emotional moment when Sonoe Nakajima (center) received a G-FAN Hall of Fame
Award from David Nunes for her work in supporting her late father, Haruo Nakajima, in his
 convention appearances around the world for nearly 20 years. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, actor Akira Takarada receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from J. D. Lees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, director Shusuke Kaneko receives the Mangled Skyscraper Award
 for 2019. He said the award came as a surprise. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some G-FEST XXVI Reunions

Above, Yoshikazu Ishii and the poster to his new movie,
Attack of the Giant Teacher. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FEST XXVI is now in the history books. This was the first G-FEST I've attended since 2009. There's been a lot of changes and, generally, all for the better.

It is still a fan-run convention and very family-friendly, just bigger.

I managed to see a number of people who I haven't seen in years (some, for many years) and the reunions have been enjoyable as we'd catch up on life's twists and turns.

Friends include Steve Ryfle, Archie Waugh (who created the cover to The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan), Lenell Bridges, Jeff Horne, Stan Hyde, Jessica Tseang, Sonoe Nakajima, Gary Guinn, Carol McCants (who, as I found out, lives in New Mexico), the Martin Arlts, Dave Nunes, Roger Wyatt, Yoshikazu Ishii (I last saw him four years ago in Tokyo at the dinner party I held) and many others.

Some I met for the first time, even though some are friends on Facebook, including Tony Isabella and Tetsuya Takarada.

Some remembered me, but I am perplexed when I try to remember some names (that's always been a curse of mine). One fellow, Melvin and I had a long and enjoyable discussion about the Silver Age Legion of Super-Heroes. I think his last name is Moore. (If it isn't, sorry, Melvin!)

Robert Scott Field was unable to attend due to a schedule conflict and his presence was missed.

Some photos:

Above, Stan Hyde. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Diane Dougherty of Clawmark Toys. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Steve Ryfle and Jessica Tseang. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "Prince Archie" Waugh. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Lenell Bridges and Armand.

Above, Jessica Tseang and Armand. Photo by Steve Ryfle.

With Haruo Nakajima Six Years Ago This Week

Above, Haruo Nakajima autographing a fan's movie poster. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Incredible as it may seem, but it was six years ago this week that I was in Charlotte, North Carolina serving as Haruo Nakajima's "wrangler" for the Mad Monster Party convention at the Blake Hotel.

Above, the Haruo Nakjima discussion panel. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

I also was the moderator for a panel featuring Nakajima. I have a lot more respect for others who have served in this capacity at conventions. It was hard to get more questions & answers in as he loved to talk to his fans. Once he received a question, he ran with it! Luckily, we went a little overtime and managed to get more questions in.

He was a joy to hang out with. I am looking forward to seeing his daughter Sonoe this summer at G-FEST.

Sonoe Nakajima To Attend G-FEST

Above, Sonoe and Haruo Nakajima in 2008. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time since 2009, I'll be attending this year's G-FEST near Chicago O'Hare Airport at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. G-FEST will be held July 12-14.

J.D. Lees announced:

Thanks to a group of loving G-fans, Sonoe Nakajima, daughter of Mr. Godzilla Haruo Nakajima, will be joining us at G-FEST this year, to express her appreciation to her father's fans. Kudos to all involved. - J.D.

It will be good to see Sonoe again.

For details on G-FEST, go here. 

Haruo Nakajima: First Anniversary

Above, Haruo Nakajima with a costumed fan in 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A year ago tomorrow (in Japan, it will be August 7 in two and a half hours), Godzilla fandom lost one of its best friends: Haruo Nakajima.

Last year, the Rafu Shimpo reported:

TOKYO – Haruo Nakajima, the Japanese actor who wore the Godzilla suit for about two decades from the monster movie series’ original, died of pneumonia on Monday, his daughter, Sonoe, said Tuesday. He was 88. 

A native of Yamagata Prefecture, Nakajima aspired to become a movie actor as a teenager shortly after the end of World War II and played stunts in a number of movies in his early career. His first credited role was in Hiroshi Inagaki’s “Sword for Hire” (1952). He appeared in three of director Akira Kurosawa’s best-known films — “Seven Samurai” (1954), “The Hidden Fortress” (1958) and “Yojimbo” (1961). 

Nakajima’s fire stunt performance as a warplane pilot in Ishiro Honda’s “Eagle of the Pacific” (1953) led to him getting the role of Godzilla the following year when the first of the series featuring the monster, also directed by Honda, was released.

In many respects, it is hard to imagine that Mr. Nakajima has left this mortal coil. But we are still fortunate to be able to enjoy his work through film.

To read the full Rafu Shimpo article, go here. 

Remembering Haruo Nakajima

Above, yours truly with Haruo Nakajima at G-FEST 2000. I later had him autograph the photo.

The news that the original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima has passed away today at age 88 is just devastating.

I first met him in 2000 at G-FEST 2000 in Hollywood. I got to see first hand how he enjoyed interacting with his fans. He enjoyed being with them as much as they enjoyed being with him.

A year later, at the premiere of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival, I met up with him following the movie's screening. Richard Pusateri and I had a photo taken with him.

Above, at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival with Richard Pusateri. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

I next saw him at the 2008 G-FEST in Chicago. In fact, I went to O'Hare International Airport to pick him up. It was at this convention that Nakajima was awarded the Mangled Skyscraper Award for his movie work.

Above, Armand with Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima in their suite at G-FEST in 2008.

Above, Sonoe and Haruo Nakajima at the 2008 G-FEST awards banquet. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Haruo Nakajima during his panel discussion at G-FEST. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with his Mangled Skyscraper Award. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Haruo Nakajima and Armand.

At the first Monsterpalooza in Burbank following the Great East Japan Earthquake, I ran into him with Miki Hayashi. The proceeds received for his autograph went to earthquake relief.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with Miki at the 2011 Monsterpalooza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 2013, I served has his "wrangler" at the Mad Monster Party convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the show, we sat together in the dealers room where he signed autographs and I sold copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I also moderated a discussion with him and "acted" in a spoof monster video where I was fleeing a giant monster attack and tried to tell him to also flee, but he was too interested in reading his newspaper.

The following photos are from the 2013 Mad Monster Party:

Above, Nakajima signs a fan's poster. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Nakajima with a signed photo for Tony Isabella. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly "acting" with Haruo Nakajima.

Above, Nakajima with a costumed fan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with actress Lea Thompson. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Haruo Nakajima and I. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, the panel discussion. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, "Team Nakajima": Yoko Connelly, Sonoe and Haruo Nakajima, Jeff Blanken and Armand Vaquer.

Haruo Nakajima Reported To Have Passed Away

Above, Haruo Nakajima on the set of Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster. Toho Co., Ltd.

Celebrity Icons reported on their Facebook page that the original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima, passed away today at age 88.

I searched around on the Internet to confirm this sad news and have found nothing that corroborates it.

Nevertheless, I sent the following message to his daughter Sonoe:

Dear Sonoe: 

I just learned the sad news on the passing of your father. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for you and your family. 

Your father was a true gentleman who was loved by his fans and especially those who got to know him. I will always cherish my times with him and you. Despite language barriers, his great sense of humor shined through. We all should be grateful that he lived a good and active life. We should all be as lucky. His work will live on. 

Again, my heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.  

Sincerely, 

Armand.

Above, Haruo Nakajima and Armand at the Mad Monster Party. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Hopefully, we will find that the news of Haruo Nakajima's passing to be in error. If the news is indeed true, his passing is a big loss.

**************
UPDATE:

More websites are beginning to report on the passing of Haruo Nakajima.

**************
UPDATE (8/8/17):

The Associated Press reported that the cause of death was due to pneumonia, citing Sonoe Nakajima as their source.

Haruo Nakajima Going Through Health Issues

Above, yours truly with Haruo Nakajima at the 2013 Mad Monster Party. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

It has been reported by Christine Chapin on Facebook that our favorite Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima, has been going through some unspecified health issues.

She wrote:

Please keep Nakajima-san and his daughter Sonoe Nakajima in your thoughts and prayers. He has gone thru some health issues recently and we are all wishing for a speedy recovery so he can get back to his happy, cheerful self! ご全快の一日も早いことをお祈りいたします!

I sent Sonoe Nakajima a message expressing my concern along with my best wishes for her father's speedy recovery.

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Haruo Nakajima!

Above, yours truly with Haruo Nakajima in 2013 at the Mad Monster Party. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Yesterday, the great, first Godzilla suit-actor, Haruo Nakajima turned 88.

For the past several years, I had been gathering fans' birthday greetings through this blog and forwarding them to his daughter Sonoe to present to her dad.

For the past two years, the number of greetings greatly dwindled. Rather than make the Nakajimas think that hardly anyone wants to wish him Happy Birthday, I decided to not do it this year.

I don't mind gathering the birthday greetings from the fans, so if there is "popular demand" again, I could start it up again later this year. I don't think Haruo Nakajima has lost anyone's esteem, most likely life just got in the way of fans.

What do you think? 

Haruo Nakajima Turns 86

Above, Haruo Nakajima in 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On January 1, 1929, Haruo Nakajima was born in Yamagata, Japan.

Today marks his 86th birthday.

If you wish to extend your birthday greetings to Nakajima-san, feel free to post them in the comments section below and I will pass them on to his daughter Sonoe.

The Weekend

Above, Peter H. Brothers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I mentioned several days ago, it was an "iffy" situation on whether or not I would be able to attend this year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank. As I said then, it all depended on the status of Jes's condition in the hospital. I felt it best that I stay pretty close to home in case I was needed.

I always figured that if I was going to go to Monsterpalooza, it would be on Sunday. It turned out that Jes was discharged from the hospital yesterday, so I ended up not going to Monsterpalooza.

Well, there's always next year and, before that, the Son of Monsterpalooza in the fall. It would have been nice to see Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima and Kenji Sahara again. But it wasn't in the cards.

The weekend wasn't a total loss. For the first time in about two years, Pete Brothers (Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda, Devil Bat Diaries) and I got together for lunch on Saturday at Crazy Tokyo Sushi in Tarzana. It was an enjoyable lunch as we caught up on things that have transpired since out last get-together. The restaurant is close to home, so I was able to break away.

We both marveled that this year marks ten years since the first G-Tour to Japan in 2004.

But, I am happy that Jes is home and we may have some good news. Hopefully, we will know more tomorrow.

Nakajima Birthday Greetings Received

Above, Haruo Nakajima and Armand in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sonoe Nakajima has sent an email acknowledging the first batch of birthday greetings:

Hi Armand

A Happy New Year
Thank you for many messages to father.
I am going to go to San Francisco from February 6.

Sonoe

As I said, those were the first batch of birthday greetings. Feel free to add yours by going here. 

Haruo Nakajima's 85th Birthday

Above, Haruo Nakajima at the Mad Monster Party.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is New Year's Eve, but in Japan, it is already New Year's Day and, most notably, Haruo Nakajma's 85th birthday.

As has been the tradition for the past several years, fans may post their birthday greetings to Mr. Nakajima in the comments section below and I'll see to it that they are sent to him via his daughter Sonoe.

Days of the Dead Convention A Little Over A Month Away

Above, Haruo Nakajima taking a break during the filming of "Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster" (1966).
Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

In receiving a message from Sonoe Nakajima, I was reminded tonight (as if I needed reminding) that the Days of the Dead Convention featuring the original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima is happening a little over a month from now (July 5 -7, to be exact) in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Besides Mr. Nakajima, the convention has many great guests confirmed as well as some fun events that you won't want to miss.

So if you are planning to attend, now is the time to start making your reservations.

For details, go here.

Haruo Nakajima Mad Monster Party Panel Highlights

Above, Haruo Nakajima discusses his career as a monster suit-actor.
Photo by Jeff Blanken.

It has been a week since I got back to Los Angeles from the Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, North Carolina.  It was a big show with plenty of people attending and having a grand time.  Fortunately, the venue that held the convention, the Blake Hotel, was more than adequate to handle the hordes of monster fans.

On Sunday, March 24, the last day of the show, the panel discussion with Haruo "Mr. Godzilla" Nakajima was held with yours truly moderating.  The ballroom was huge and the panel was well-attended with about 75% of the seats occupied.

Along with Haruo Nakajima and myself, we also had daughter Sonoe Nakajima and translator Yoko Connelly.  Sonoe assisted Yoko whenever she needed help in some of the kaiju names and other aspects of the movies she was unfamiliar with.

Prior to the panel, we went over the general points of the panel that I planned to cover.  Naturally, once the panel started, with very little prodding, Mr. Nakajima ran with the discussion.

Earlier in the morning, we tested the audio and video equipment in the ballroom.  The audio equipment worked fine (with Akira Ifukube's Godzilla tracks playing) as did the video equipment (at least during the test it did) to project stills.  When we had the panel discussion, the video equipment became uncooperative at times.

Above, the Haruo Nakajima panel.  From left, Armand Vaquer, Haruo Nakajima,
Yoko Connelly and Sonoe Nakajima.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Some of the highlights of the discussion were:

• Katsumi Tezuka and he were both chosen to play Godzilla in the 1954 original.  But Nakajima (age 25 at the time) had better endurance than Tezuka.  Tezuka could only last for about five meters in the suit before collapsing.  Nakajijma could go on to ten meters.  He said, "Strong is better than weak."

• Katsumi Tezuka went on to play Anguirus in the first sequel to Godzilla, Godzilla's Counter-Attack (or Godzilla Raids Again or Gigantis, The Fire Monster) in 1955, according to Nakajima.

• Fighting King Ghidorah was difficult as the heads and wings were all manipulated by wires (with a man inside the suit) making it seem to Nakajima that he was fighting a machine.  He would run at Ghidorah and bounce off as if hitting a wall.

• Nagoya Castle was accidentally demolished by a crew member and had to be rebuilt at a cost of $5,000 and a month's delay while filming Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964).

• Nakajima also said that the Godzilla suit did not get its head damaged during filming of Mothra vs. Godzilla (even though the upper jaw was jiggly during filming).  He said that was just a rumor originating from Godzilla fandom.

• He confirmed that he fell eight feet in the Rodan suit during filming of Rodan in 1956 when wires holding him snapped.  Fortunately, he was unhurt.

• He was so skillful in his suit performances that Toho had him choreograph the monster fights.  He pretty much had free reign while doing so.

• Before Toho went with smaller, mechanized Mothra caterpillars, he and several others were inside the caterpillar suit in Mothra (1961).  He was the lead person inside (at the head).  

• He was invited to act in Hollywood but had to turn down the offer as he was needed to make the next feature, King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).

Nakajima took some questions from the audience (we were scheduled for an hour in the room, but we went a little beyond that to take a few audience questions).  Here's a couple:

• One of the questioners asked his opinion on Hollywood's Godzilla efforts.  He said he hoped that the Legendary Pictures Godzilla (now filming in Vancouver, British Columbia) looks and acts like Godzilla.

• He was also asked what was it like to work for director Akira Kurosawa.  Nakajima said that whether one was a movie's star or just an extra, if Kurosawa didn't like his performance or felt that person didn't take the role seriously, he would tell him to "go home, I don't need you."  Then he would re-cast the role.

At the end of the panel, Nakajima received an appreciative standing-ovation by the attendees.

Fox Charlotte has a cool photo gallery.  To see it, go here.

Haruo Nakajima At Mad Monster Party

Our "stiff" volunteer Jeff Blanken sent these shots from Mad Monster Party:

Above, Haruo Nakajima takes the wheel of the time machine DeLorean with translator Yoko Connelly (left)
and Sonoe Nakajima (right) at the "Back To The Future" display.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, Haruo Nakajima meets Godzilla.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Above, the Nakajima panel session.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.